A patient presented to the hospital with severe hydrophobia. You suspect rabies, obtained corneal scrapings from the patient. What test should be done on this specimen for a diagnosis of rabies?
(A) Negri bodies (B) Antibodies to rabies virus (C) -PCR for rabies virus (D) Indirect immunofluorescence
(C) Ans: C. -PCR for rabies virusRef: Ananthanarayan 10/e p536, 8/e p529: Harrison 19/e p1302).Detection of rabies virus:-PCR with genetic sequencing:Highly sensitive & specific.Accurately identify rabies genome (viral RNA) in CSF, fresh saliva samples, corneal scrapings or urine.Distinguish among rabies virus variants.Permits identification of probable infection source.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction testing:Used to amplify rabies virus genome pas from fixed or unfixed brain tissue or saliva.Sequencing of amplified products allows identification of infecting virus strain.