title: Effects of carcase decomposition on rabies virus infectivity and detection.
abstract: Carcases received for rabies diagnosis are occasionally decomposed due to delays in finding, submitting or storing them. Positive diagnostic results from such samples are reliable but negative results may be invalid. Previous studies assessed the effect of decomposition on rabies detection using excised brains. To better reflect decomposition in the field, intact infected mouse carcases were stored at three temperatures for up to 70 days. The brains were then removed and tested using routine rabies diagnostic assays. Rabies virus was isolated using the Rabies Tissue Culture Inoculation Test (RTCIT) on days 18, 3 and 3 at 4°C, 25°C and 35°C, respectively. The Fluorescent Antibody Test (FAT) detected viral antigen on days 36, 12 and 3, whilst a rabies specific Hemi-nested RT-PCR detected viral RNA on days 70, 48 and 48 at 4°C, 25°C and 35°C, respectively. These findings suggest the persistence of infectious rabies virus in carcases left for 18 days at cold temperatures (4°C) and up to 3 days in temperatures reaching 35°C. The detection of viral RNA from a carcase decomposing at 35°C for 48 days supports the use of molecular assays to accompany OIE-prescribed rabies diagnostic tests particularly when decomposed samples are likely to be submitted. Count=199.
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Disease Research Group, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, United Kingdom; Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Lorraine.McElhinney@ahvla.gsi.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Lorraine M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: McElhinney
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Disease Research Group, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Denise A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Marston
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Disease Research Group, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sharon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Brookes
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Zoonoses and Vector-Borne Disease Research Group, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, United Kingdom; Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anthony R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Fooks
mesh_terms: D032761:Animal Experimentation; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000821:virology; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D051379:Mice; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011818:Rabies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Carcase; Decomposition; Diagnosis; RT-PCR; Rabies virus