Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Enhanced Rabies Surveillance Using a Direct Rapid Immunohistochemical Test
Published on: April 30, 2019
Immunoperoxidase test for rabies: utility as a diagnostic test
1Laboratory of Large Animal Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, Kennett Square 19348.
Insights
A streptavidin-biotin complex (ABC) immunoperoxidase test shows promise for rabies diagnosis using fixed tissues when fresh samples are unavailable. Further validation is needed before routine use in animal rabies diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Diagnostic Microbiology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Current rabies diagnosis often relies on fluorescent antibody (FA) tests requiring fresh or frozen brain tissue.
- Retrospective studies or field situations may lack access to fresh/frozen tissues, necessitating alternative methods.
- The reliability of immunohistochemical techniques for rabies diagnosis in fixed tissues is not fully established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic reliability of the streptavidin-biotin complex (ABC) immunoperoxidase test.
- To assess the efficacy of the ABC test on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain tissues for rabies detection.
Main Methods:
- The streptavidin-biotin complex (ABC) immunoperoxidase test was performed on brain tissues.
- Tissues were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded from domestic and wild animals previously confirmed positive by FA test.
- 40 confirmed rabies cases were analyzed using the ABC technique.
Main Results:
- The ABC immunoperoxidase test yielded positive results in 39 out of 40 (97.5%) previously confirmed rabies cases.
- This high concordance suggests strong diagnostic potential for the ABC method in fixed tissues.
Conclusions:
- The ABC immunoperoxidase technique demonstrates preliminary reliability for diagnosing rabies in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded animal brain tissues.
- Additional corroborative studies are recommended before adopting the ABC method for routine diagnostics, particularly with field samples and negative controls.
Abstract:
Although a fast and reliable fluorescent antibody (FA) test for rabies diagnosis is available, ideally the diagnostic procedure requires fresh or frozen brain tissues. In some instances (and particularly for retrospective studies), fresh or frozen tissues may not be available. In such cases, immunohistochemical tests may be utilized. Because such tests have been used only in a limited number of cases, their diagnostic reliability has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study documents the results of a streptavidin-biotin complex (ABC) immunoperoxidase test on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain tissues of domestic and wild animals that were positive on FA test for rabies prior to fixation. Thirty-nine of 40 rabies cases were positive with the ABC technique. Based on these preliminary results, the ABC technique appears reliable. However, more corroborative test results are needed before the ABC method can be used as a routine diagnostic procedure, especially with field samples and negative controls.
