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Rabies antibody assay
Synonym(s): Rabies blood test
Overview
- The Rabies antibody assay measures the level of neutralizing antibodies to rabies virus in all species.
- There are 2 test systems recognized by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE):
- FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization Test) and
- RFFIT (Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test), although both tests are based on similar principles.
- Results are compared to an international standard serum and quoted in International Units/ml. A test titer of greater or equal to 0.5 IU/ml is considered to show protective levels of immunity to classical rabies virus.
Uses
Alone
- The rabies blood test is required under the PETS Travel Scheme Pet travel scheme and in certain circumstances for other European travel schemes.
- The rabies blood tests should also be considered for any persons at risk of exposure to rabies virus Lyssavirus (rabies) Rabies or one of the other lyssaviruses; this might include employees of any practices that work with bats, or vets and nurses working with animals overseas.
Sampling
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Tests
Methodologies
- For both FAVN and RFFIT tests serial dilutions of the sample are incubated with an infectious dose of rabies virus.
- Cells susceptible to the virus are subsequently added and after a further incubation period the presence or absence of virus in the culture determined using a rabies specific fluorescently tagged antibody.
- Results for test samples are calculated in comparison to an international reference serum diluted to 0.5 IU/ml.
Availability
- Samples must be sent to an EU recognized laboratory for this test.
- Lists of recognized laboratories are available on DEFRA, EU and other country websites.
Validity
Sensitivity
- Virus neutralization tests are considered to be the best available tests for determining immunity as they demonstrate a clear biological effect on the virus. The International threshold of 0.5 IU/ml is set to ensure confidence that animals or people with antibodies at or above this level are definitely protected against classical rabies. It is possible that some individuals with lower titers may also have protective levels of immunity. There is some evidence that patients previously vaccinated but with a negative titer can retain an immunological memory (Derbyshire, 1984).
Result Data
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from VetMedResource and PubMed.
- Mansfield K L, Burr P D, Snodgrass D R, Sayers R, Fooks A R (2004) Factors affecting the serological response of dogs and cats to rabies vaccination. Vet Rec 154, 423-426 PubMed.
- Cliquet F, Aubert M, Sagne L (1998) Development of a fluorescent antibody virus neutralisation test (FAVN test) for the quantitation of rabies-neutralising antibody. J Immunol Meth 212, 79-87 PubMed.
- Derbyshire J B, Mathews K A (1984) Rabies antibody titres in vaccinated dogs. Can Vet J 25 (10), 383-385 PubMed.
Organization(s)
Recognized blood testing laboratories
- BioBest Laboratories Ltd, Pentlands Science Park, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK. Tel: (+44) 0131 445 6101; Fax: (+44) 0131 445 6102. E-mail: enquiry@biobest.co.uk; www.biobest.co.uk.
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK. Tel: (+44) 1932 357 840; Fax: (+44) 1932 357 239. E-mail: lab.services@apha.gov.uk; www.aphascientific.com.
- FAVN Rabies Laboratory,1800 Denison Avenue, Mosier Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-5601, USA. Tel: (+1) 785 532 5650; Fax: (+1) 785 532 4481. E-mail: rabies@vet.ksku.edu; www.ksvdl.org/rabies-laboratory/favn-test/.
- Veterinary Command (VETCOM) Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory, 2472 Schofield Road, Ft Sam Houston, TX 78234-6232, USA. Tel: (+1) 210 295 4604; Fax: (+1) 210 270 2559. E-mail: Edwin_Cooper@ln.amedd.army.mil; phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/discond/diseases/Pages/Rabies.aspx (This laboratory accepts blood samples taken only from pets belonging to US government employees and military members being assigned overseas on official orders.)
- For further information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/rabies-risk-assessment-post-exposure-treatment-management; www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/.