Rabies in a litter of skunks predicted and diagnosed by skin biopsy.
Four juvenile skunks were vaccinated against rabies, descented, and then placed in 4 different households. An illness subsequently developed in 3 of the skunks that was confirmed as rabies, by examination of biopsy specimens of muzzle skin using immunofluorescence microscopy. In 1 clinically normal skunk, the skin was found to be test-positive, predicting that rabies would develop; the signs of rabies became evident in 48 hours. the infection was considered to be field acquired rather than vaccine induced.
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D002335:Carnivora; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D012889:Mephitidae; D011818:Rabies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000276:immunology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*
D000956:Antigens, Viral