Therapy of Human Rabies

Molecular characterization of a rabies virus isolated from trade dogs in Plateau State, Nigeria

“…Thus in this study, findings on the status of rabies in the trade dogs slaughtered in Plateau State, molecular epidemiology and characterization of the complete sequences of the 5 proteins (N, P, M, G and L) of DRV-NG11 are presented. Understanding of the phylogenetic relationship of DRV-NG11 with other global or African isolates, pathogenicity of the DRV-NG11 and molecular baseline sequence information presented in this report will shed more light on the mechanism of rabies pathogenesis which is still unclear despite the remarkable progress that has been made (Jackson, 2011). The information from this study will also be relevant to vaccine production.…”

Role of Nuclear Factor-κB in Oxidative Stress Associated with Rabies Virus Infection of Adult Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

“…Rabies is almost invariably fatal, and therapeutic approaches in humans are limited by an incomplete understanding of rabies pathogenesis (13). In natural rabies and in experimental models of rabies using peripheral inoculation with fixed rabies virus strains, there are mild inflammatory changes and generally a paucity of degenerative neuronal changes in the central nervous system (CNS) that do not account for the severity of the disease (11,24).…”

Perspectives in Diagnosis and Treatment of Rabies Viral Encephalitis: Insights from Pathogenesis

“…However, despite the initial optimism and a few more success stories, several attempts to replicate this have been unsuccessful, leading to skepticism and reservations regarding its scientific rationale for routine use [142][143][144][145][146][147]. Nevertheless, increasing reports of survival/prolonged survival from rabies in the recent past, including those from India, albeit with neurological complications, should provide an impetus to the scientific community to explore newer therapeutic strategies to counter this fatal disease.…”

“…Young, healthy, and immunocompetent individuals; patients who have received rabies vaccination prior to onset of illness; those who develop rabies due to a bat variant; early appearance of rabies-neutralizing antibodies in CSF and serum; and mild neurological illness at the initiation of therapy are regarded as favorable circumstances in which to attempt aggressive therapy [147].…”

“…A combination of therapies, as mentioned above, has been used, but none has demonstrated significantly promising results in various clinical trials. In addition to the quest for new, efficacious antiviral agents, novel approaches for treating human rabies should include Bneuroprotectiveâ gents, induced generalized or localized therapeutic hypothermia, and a combination of various therapeutic approaches [147].…”