Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with furious rabies from bat virus in Buenos Aires
By Amasino, C F et al.·Published in Revue scientifique et technique (International Office of Epizootics)·2003·Laboratorio Central de Salud Pú·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: [A case of bat rabies in a cat in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina].
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat in Buenos Aires was brought in for diagnosis after showing aggressive behavior and attacking three people. The cat was found to have rabies, specifically a strain typically found in bats, which is unusual since the area has been free of rabies in dogs since 1984. The diagnosis was confirmed through specialized tests, and the people who were bitten received the necessary medical treatment. This case highlights the importance of rabies awareness and prevention, especially in areas where wildlife may carry the virus.
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Abstract
In the Central Laboratory of Public Health in Buenos Aires, rabies was detected in a cat that was brought in for diagnosis by its owners. The animal, which was displaying symptoms of the furious form of the disease, had attacked three people in the rural area of Chascomús, near the Rio de la Plata. All three of the people who had been bitten received the necessary treatment. The diagnosis was made using the fluorescent antibody test and the inoculation of mice and the results were communicated to the Zoonoses Division of the Ministry of Health. The virus was then typed at the Institute Pasteur of Buenos Aires using monoclonal antibodies, where it was found to be antigenic variant 4 of serotype 1, i.e., the type of virus usually found in insectivorous bats. This area has been free of the canine variant since 1984. This is the first known case in the province of Buenos Aires of a cat becoming infected with this type of virus. It confirms that there is a link between the air and terrestrial cycles of rabies in this area.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15005558/