LOADING 3D BIO-SYSTEMS...
0%
LOADING 3D BIO-SYSTEMS...
Rabies lyssavirus
Rabies is almost universally fatal once clinical symptoms develop, making it one of the most lethal viruses. It travels along nerves from the bite site to the brain, causing encephalitis. Its distinctive bullet shape makes it easily recognizable under electron microscopy.
Discovered in 1903 (virus isolated) by Adelchi Negri (Italy); vaccine by Louis Pasteur (1885)
Bite or scratch from infected animal (dogs, bats, raccoons), saliva contact with open wounds
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) — rabies immunoglobulin + vaccine series. NO cure once symptoms appear
Pre-exposure vaccination (for high-risk), pet vaccination, avoiding wild animals, immediate wound washing
Louis Pasteur developed the first rabies vaccine in 1885 — he tested it on a 9-year-old boy bitten by a rabid dog, saving his life and pioneering modern vaccination!
Surface spikes that bind to nerve cell receptors — the target of neutralizing antibodies
Outer membrane with embedded G protein spikes
Connects the envelope to the inner nucleocapsid and gives bullet shape
Encapsidates the RNA genome in a helical ribonucleoprotein complex
Essential cofactor for the viral RNA polymerase
~12,000 nucleotides encoding only 5 proteins — extremely compact