Related Experiment Videos
Immunohistochemical study of human rabies
S Jogai1, B D Radotra, A K Banerjee
1Department of Histopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Summary
Immunohistochemistry offers a superior method for diagnosing rabies, especially in paralytic cases that mimic other neurological conditions. This technique reliably detects rabies viral antigen, improving diagnostic accuracy when traditional methods fail.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Virology
- Pathology
Background:
- Rabies is a fatal communicable disease with classic and paralytic presentations.
- Paralytic rabies can be misdiagnosed as Guillain-Barre syndrome, especially without a clear dog bite history.
- Traditional diagnostic methods like Negri body detection are not always present in rabies cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate immunohistochemistry as a diagnostic tool for rabies.
- To compare the efficacy of immunohistochemistry with traditional neuropathologic findings.
- To assess the sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemistry for rabies diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized immunohistochemistry with monoclonal and polyclonal antirabies antibodies.
- Analyzed 20 cases of rabies encephalomyelitis.
- Compared immunohistochemistry results with neuropathologic findings and Negri body presence.
Main Results:
- Neuropathologic findings confirmed rabies in 17 out of 20 cases (85%).
- Immunohistochemistry yielded positive results in all 20 cases (100%).
- Rabies viral antigen was significantly more abundant with immunohistochemistry than histopathology suggested.
Conclusions:
- Immunohistochemistry is a highly sensitive and specific method for diagnosing rabies.
- This technique is rapid, safe, and effective, particularly in challenging paralytic cases.
- Immunohistochemistry surpasses traditional methods when Negri bodies are absent or difficult to detect.