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Whole Genome Sequencing for Rapid Characterization of Rabies Virus Using Nanopore Technology
Published on: August 18, 2023
Stability analysis of rabies virus in the environment
Minghui Zhang1, Na Zhang1, Xiaonuo Xu1
1NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.
Journal of Virological Methods
|July 16, 2026
Summary
Rabies virus (RABV) stability varies by surface and temperature. Infectious virus has a limited environmental survival time, especially in warmer conditions, informing rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) decisions.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Zoonotic Disease Research
- Environmental Microbiology
Background:
- Rabies remains a significant zoonotic disease burden, particularly in developing nations.
- Limited data exist on rabies virus (RABV) environmental stability, impacting transmission concerns and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) strategies.
- Understanding RABV persistence is crucial for public health interventions and diagnostic accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically assess the stability of RABV on various surfaces and in biological tissues under different simulated environmental conditions.
- To quantify the decay rate of infectious RABV and the persistence of viral RNA.
- To provide an evidence-based framework for interpreting diagnostic tests and informing PEP decisions.
Main Methods:
- RABV (CVS-11 strain) stability was evaluated on six surfaces (glass, rubber, plastic, surgical mask, fabric, paper) at 25°C.
- Virus stability in brain tissue, muscle, and simulated saliva was tested under simulated summer (35°C), spring/autumn (15°C), and winter (4°C) conditions.
- Viral titers were quantified using fluorescent focus assay (FFA), with confirmation by direct fluorescent antibody staining and qPCR for nucleic acid detection.
Main Results:
- On surfaces, RABV titers decreased from ~10^7 FFU/mL to 10^3 FFU/mL within 72 hours, with faster inactivation on fabric.
- Under simulated summer conditions, infectious virus was undetectable in saliva after 12 hours and in tissues after 24 hours, though viral RNA persisted.
- RABV showed enhanced stability at lower temperatures (4°C and 15°C), maintaining relatively high titers for longer periods.
Conclusions:
- Infectious RABV has a limited environmental persistence, particularly at higher temperatures and on certain surfaces like fabric.
- Viral RNA can remain detectable by qPCR long after infectious virus is inactivated, necessitating careful interpretation of diagnostic results.
- These findings support refined sample acceptance criteria for diagnostic labs and can help alleviate public anxiety regarding indirect transmission, guiding more precise PEP strategies.
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