Rabies. virus antigen in the brain of apparently healthy slaughtered dogs in Sokoto and Katsina States, Nigeria

Abstract

Brain samples were collected from 50 apparently healthy slaughtered dogs at slaughter points from two states in northwpestern Nigeria and tested for rabies virus antigen by fluorescent antibody test (F.A.T) and mouse inoculation test (M.I.T) .The total positives by F.A.T and M.I.T were combined and subjected to microscopic examination for Negri bodies (M.E.N).
The result revealed that 13 (26%) were positive by F.A.T while 10 (20%) were positive by M.I.T.Of the 10 positive by MIT, only one sample was FAT negative. Hence 14 (28%) samples were positive by FAT and MIT combined. Three (21.4%) of the 14 positive by both FAT and MIT were also positive by MEN. Probably, adaptation of some strains of rabies virus to dogs has
evolved manifested by inapparent infection. The public health implications of these findings are discussed.