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Experimental rabies infection in haematophagous bats Desmodus rotundus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2005

M. F. ALMEIDA
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, The University of São Paulo and LIM 01-HC/FMUSP, São Paulo – Brazil, and Department of Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK Laboratory of Rabies – Zoonosis Control Center of São Paulo Municipality, São Paulo, and School of Medicine, The University of São Paulo, Brazil
L. F. A. MARTORELLI
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Rabies – Zoonosis Control Center of São Paulo Municipality, São Paulo, and School of Medicine, The University of São Paulo, Brazil School of Public Health, The University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
C. C. AIRES
Affiliation:
Zoology Museum of São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil
P. C. SALLUM
Affiliation:
School of Public Health, The University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
E. L. DURIGON
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Virology – Institute of Biosciences, The University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
E. MASSAD
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, The University of São Paulo and LIM 01-HC/FMUSP, São Paulo – Brazil, and Department of Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Abstract

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In order to determine the susceptibility and serum neutralizing antibody response of Desmodus rotundus to rabies virus, bats were inoculated with a virus isolated from a naturally infected haematophagous bat. Bats were divided into four groups of 10 animals each. Dilutions of rabies virus containing 100, 1000, 10000 and 100000 MICLD50 (lethal dose 50% for mice inoculated by the intracerebral route) were administrated in the pectoral muscle. The presence of rabies virus was detected in brain and salivary glands by fluorescent antibody, mouse inoculation and RT–PCR. The observed mortality for each virus dose was 0, 20, 20 and 60% respectively. Serum neutralizing antibodies were tested for by the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test, and antibody titres greater than 0·5 IU/ml were found in 53% of bats 30 days after virus inoculation. Resistance to infection was seen in bats that developed low or no detectable antibody response as well as in bats with high titres. Among the 10 bats that died of rabies, eight showed signs of paralytic rabies and two bats showed no clinical signs.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2005 Cambridge University Press