Canine Rabies

摘要

In a rabies-endemic area, dogs, because of their close asso-cation with humans and their high population densities, are the source of most human exposures to rabies and up to 98% of rabies-associated human mortalities. In areas where aggressive rabiescontrol programs have been established, such as Europe and North America, only 5% of cases in humans are caused by dogs. The pathogenesis, clinical syndromes, and recommendations for control of canine rabies were reviewed. —The susceptibility of dogs to rabies depends on age and immune status. Dogs younger than 3 months old are more susceptible to infection than are adults, Both cellular and humoral immune responses are required for protective immunity. Incubation periods have been reported to range from 7 days to 8.5 months, and they vary inversely with virus dose.