[Excretion of the rabies virus in foxes after experimental infection]

Fourteen foxes (Vulpes vulpes crucigera) were experimentally infected with rabies. The excretion of the virus in saliva was subjected to qualitative study. Three different street strains isolated in the territory of the Czech Socialist Republic were used for the intramuscular infection at the doses of 50 or 5000 MICLD50. The presence of the virus in saliva was demonstrated in 12 animals (86%). Post-mortal examination revealed the virus in the salivary gland of 13 animals (93%). The virus started to be excreted in saliva maximally two days before the onset of the clinical signs of the disease and it lasted maximally six days. The affinity of the virus for the salivary gland was related to the strain used, and increased when a lower infection dose had been administered.