[Rabies situation in Thailand]

Rabies statistics have been officially recorded since 1929 and rabies became a notifiable disease in Thailand in 1980. The direct fluorescent antibody test is the test most frequently used to diagnose rabies. Although rabies incidence has been declining, animal specimens submitted for testing have been inadequate and it is not justifiable to conclude that the rabies situation is controlled. Laboratory confirmation of rabies in man relies on demonstration of rabies antigen on brain impression smear or RNA in secretions and hair follicles. Nevertheless, almost all specimens belonged to patients who manifested as furious rabies only. Reliability of the reporting system needs improvement in public understanding and close cooperation between public and government sectors.

Analysis of Brazilian rabies virus isolates with monoclonal antibodies to lyssavirus antigens

Brazilian rabies virus isolates from different host species obtained from different geographical areas in the country were analysed in their reactivity profile with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) prepared against members of the Lyssavirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae. The panel included fourteen Mabs prepared against rabies-related viruses and two Mabs prepared to the CVS-31 rabies vaccine strain. Isolates were multiplied in mice and brain impressions examined by indirect immunoflurescence. Epitopes common to lyssaviruses were identified in all rabies viruses examined. differential patterns of reactivity were obtained with ten of the sixteen Mabs. Two Mabs reacted only with viruses from cattle and horses with the same reactivity profile, suggesting a common origin for the viruses, most likely vampire bats.

Comparaçäo de dois testes de neutralizaçäo, utilizados no diagnóstico sorológico do vesiculovírus Piry / Comparison of two neutralization test for the use in the Piry serologic vesiculovirus diagnose

Realizou-se inquérito sorológico para pesquisar anticorpos neutralizantes contra o vesiculovírus Piry, na cidade de Catolândia, Bahia, Brasil. Duas técnicas de vírus-neutralizaçäo foram comparadas em cultura das células C6/36, com revelaçäo pelo método imunoenzimático (TN-C6/36) e em camundongos recém-nascidos (TN-camundongos), que é considerada a prova maior. Em 204 soros, dos 1.274 colhidos, a concordância das duas técnicas foi de 98,7 por cento (K=0,9853). Com este resultado do TN-C6/36, que também é mais exeqüível, decidiu-se desenvolver o estudo soro-epidemiológico do vesiculovírus Piry, em Catolândia, baseado nesta nova técnica

Frequência de anticorpos neutralizantes contra o vesiculovirus piry, em doadores de sangue de Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brasil / Frequency of neutralizing antibodies to the vesiculovirus piry, in blood donors of Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Na cidade de Uberaba, Estado de Minas Gerais, dos 162 doadores de sangue, 13 (8.0%) apresentaram anticorpos neutralizantes contra o vesiculovirus Piry. Nos indivíduos positivos foi estaticamente mais freqüente o relato de residência anterior em area rural (p<0,0001) em cidades do Estado de Säo Paulo (p<0,05)