Evaluation of Two Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Rabies Diagnosis under Field and Laboratory Conditions in Nigeria

Mshelbwala Pp Abdullahi Su

doi:10.4172/2157-7560.1000272

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate two rapid diagnostic rabies diagnostic tests in South Eastern Nigeria. One hundred samples each of saliva and brains were collected before and after slaughter from apparently healthy dogs brought for slaughter. The saliva was subjected to rapid immune chromatographic test while the brain tissues were subjected Direct Fluorescent Antibody Test (DFAT) and direct Rapid Immunohistochemistry Test (dRIT). Five (5%) tested positive for rabies antigen with the use of the three tests. Result obtained from this study have shown total agreement in the results of the entire tests used. This study therefore recommends the use of RICT and dRIT for rabies virus screening under field and laboratory conditions.

Highlights

Worldwide, rabies is among the most feared of all diseases as it has resulted in the loss of about 55,000 persons yearly according to the World Health Organization (WHO) [1]
Eight lives due to dog bites were lost in South Eastern Nigeria, but no confirmatory diagnosis was made due to the absence of diagnostic facilities in the affected state and the culture of consuming dog in the state [13]
5 (5%) tested positive for rabies antigen by the Rapid Immune Chromatographic Test (RICT) (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Rabies is among the most feared of all diseases as it has resulted in the loss of about 55,000 persons yearly according to the World Health Organization (WHO) [1]. In Nigeria, rabies is highly neglected due to poor surveillance and reporting systems, absence of diagnostic facilities, poor vaccination, and irresponsible dog ownership among others [3]. Since the first report many workers have continued to report it in different parts of the country, signifying its endemicity [5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. Dog bites from owned dogs have resulted in the loss of lives in plateau state, North Central Nigeria [12]. Eight lives due to dog bites were lost in South Eastern Nigeria, but no confirmatory diagnosis was made due to the absence of diagnostic facilities in the affected state and the culture of consuming dog in the state [13]

Methods

Results

Conclusion