Rabies (infection with rabies virus and other lyssaviruses) : Chapter 3.1.18

Rabies is a major zoonosis for which diagnostic techniques have been standardised inter-nationally. As there are neither gross pathognomonic lesions nor specific and constant clinical signs for rabies, confirmatory diagnosis can only be made in the laboratory. Laboratory techniques are preferably undertaken on central nervous system (CNS) tissue removed from the cranium (for example brain stem, Ammon’s horn, thalamus, cerebral cortex, cerebellum and medulla oblongata). A composite of CNS samples should be tested and the brain stem is the most important component of the sample. Laboratories should follow appropriate biosafety and containment procedures as determined by biorisk analysis.