Rabies:MicrobiologyStructureThe rabies virus belongs to the genus Lyssavirus, family Rhadboviridae. It is a negative-sense, non-segmented, single-stranded, bullet-shaped RNA virus 180 nm long* and 75 nm wide. All rhabdoviruses have two main structural components: a helical ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex and a surrounding viral envelope. The rabies virus genome encodes five functional proteins: L (transcriptase), N (nucleoprotein), and NS (transcriptase-associated) protein with viral RNA is composed of the RNP complex. This complex accumulates in the cytoplasm of neurons infected by the rabies virus and constitutes the Negri body which is an indicator of rabies for histopathologists. Two other proteins are the M (matrix) and G (glycoprotein) proteins associated with the lipid envelope. The G protein shapes protrusions that are surface antigen spikes on the virion envelope and induce virus-neutralizing antibodies. ReplicationLike other negative-strand RNA viruses, the G protein of rabies virus binds to host cell membranes and enters the host cytoplasm. by pinocytosis. Virions are composed of cytoplasmic vesicles, fuse with the cytoplasmic membrane and release RNP into the cytoplasm. The nucleus initiates primary transcription of the five complementary monocistronic messenger RNAs using the virion-associated RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Each mRNA is translated into an individual viral protein. After genomic RNA synthesis and replication, the complete positive-strand RNA is completed and becomes the template for the next negative-strand RNA. In the assembly process, the NPL complex encapsulates the negative-strand genomic RNA to consist of the RNP core and the M protein consists of a capsule or template that su......in the middle of the paper ......into domestic animals, indicating that wild animals pose a higher risk to humans. Disease control in susceptible free-ranging wildlife populations is implemented through oral vaccination and recombinant rabies vaccine using vaccine-containing baits. The best prevention is to reduce the risk of exposure to disease. When a patient is suspected of having rabies, the physician and local health administrator must decide whether infection is actually occurring and whether there is a risk of rabies in the geographic area. Once identification is complete, the patient should immediately receive post-exposure prophylaxis, which contains a combination of local wound cleansing, human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG), and rabies vaccine. Population such as veterinarians and animal handlers who are at higher risk of becoming infected should receive pre-exposure vaccination..