Rabies is one of the oldest known pathogens, is incurable, and has the highest fatality rate of all infectious diseases. The Americas is the only region with bat rabies virus, including vampire bat rabies. The region is rich in cultural references and notable for many discoveries in the field, including the current vaccine potency test, diagnostic assay, conception of oral vaccines for wildlife, the first human survivor and the first successful canine rabies program executed at a broad level. Rabies remains the most important viral zoonosis, with tens of thousands of human fatalities and tens of millions of exposures annually, which can be used to model for other pathogens, such as COVID-19. There is an international effort to eliminate human rabies caused by dogs over the next decade, and the Americas represent the primary region with the greatest proof-of-concept evidence to accomplish this goal.
This two-volume set addresses the medical history and modern results of rabies in countries throughout the Americas, including the implications of and on cultural, economic, sociological, and research developments in the region. Volume I presents an overview of concepts critical to the study of rabies in the region, including evolutionary aspects, reservoir ecology and control, elimination efforts, vaccine development, and disease hallmarks and progression. It also analyzes the long-term cultural, social, and economic impacts of the disease in the Americas.
Author(s): Charles E. Rupprecht
Series: Fascinating Life Sciences
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 327
City: Cham
Foreword
Preface
Contents
Chapter 1: A World in Flux: The Columbian Exchange
Introduction
Tasting the Columbian Exchange
The Invisible Exchange: Epidemics and Colonial Violence
Human-Animal Exchanges: Dogs and Humans in the Americas
Conclusions
References
Chapter 2: Glimpses into the Past: New World Contributions Towards Understanding the Basic Etiology, Pathobiology and Treatment of Rabies
On the Nature of Rabies
Introduction
Peculiar Denials, Professional Misunderstandings, and Public Ignorance
Applications From the Advent of Virology
Rabies Virus Pathobiology
Incubation Periods
Rabies Virus Pathogenicity and Immune Responses
Rabies Virus Transmission
Rabies Virus Pathology
Rabies Virus Excretion
Rabies Treatment?
References
Chapter 3: The Diversity, Evolution and Emergence of Rabies Virus in the Americas
Introduction
Bats and the Diversity of Lyssaviruses
The Genetic Diversity and Origins of RABV
The Timescale of RABV Emergence and Evolution
Host Adaptation of RABV
The Phylogeography of RABV in the Americas
Concluding Remarks
References
Chapter 4: The Ecological Range and Principles of Wildlife Rabies Virus Perpetuation in the Americas
Historical Context
Biogeography
Host Shifts
Host and Population Range
Ecology and Epizootiology of Virus Circulation
Other Mammals and Vertebrates
Future Ecology of Rabies Viruses in the Americas
Conclusions
References
Chapter 5: Historical Laboratory Contributions Supporting Rabies Diagnosis and Disease Prevention and Control in the Americas
Introduction
Diagnosis by Observation of Clinical Signs
Laboratory Diagnostic Methods
Virus Isolation
In-Vivo Isolation
In-Vitro Isolation
Direct Detection Methods
Microscopic Detection of Inclusions (Negri Bodies)
Electron Microscopy (EM) for Form and Function
Antigen Detection Tests
Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) Test
Direct Rapid Immunohistochemistry Test (DRIT)
Serologic Tests
Neutralization Tests
Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFA)
ELISA
Diagnosis by RT-PCR
Viral Typing
Antigenic Typing
Molecular Tools for Viral Variant Typing
Diagnosis of Fixed Samples
Evolution of Rabies Vaccine Potency Testing
Tests Under Development
Conclusions
References
Chapter 6: Historical Progression from Nerve Tissue-Based Rabies Vaccines to Recombinant Biologics for Humans and Companion Animals
Introduction
Human Rabies Vaccines
Nervous Tissue-Derived Rabies Vaccines
The First Rabies Vaccine
Fermi Vaccine
Semple Vaccine
Suckling Mouse Brain (SMB) Vaccine
Embryonated Egg Vaccines (EEV)
Duck Embryo Vaccine (DEV)
Cell Culture-Derived Vaccines
Human Diploid Cell Rabies Vaccine (HDCV)
Rabies Vaccines Grown in Primary Animal Cells or Continuous Cell Lines
Rabies Immune Globulin
Licensed Human Rabies Vaccines
Regimens for Human Rabies Vaccines
Rabies PrEP as Part of Routine Childhood Immunization?
Potential Next Generation Rabies Vaccines
Protein Vaccines
PIKA Rabies Vaccine
mRNA Rabies Vaccine
Canarypox Rabies Vaccine
Adenoviral Vector Vaccines
Rabies Management in Companion Animals
Companion Animal Rabies Vaccines
Rabies Vaccine Regimens for Dogs and Cats
PEP for Domestic Animals
Summary
References
Chapter 7: Wildlife Rabies Management in the New World: Prevention, Control and Elimination in Mesocarnivores
Introduction
Challenges of Managing Diseases in Wildlife Populations
Concepts and Strategies for Wildlife Rabies Management
Management Focus and Rabies Epidemiology in Wild Carnivores
Integrated Wildlife Rabies Management in the New World
Coordination, Strategic Planning, Communication
Enhanced Rabies Surveillance (ERS)
Population Reduction
Trap-Vaccinate-Release (TVR)
ORV Management
ORV Monitoring
Contingency Actions
Applied Research
Lessons Learned and Future Directions
Conclusions
References
Chapter 8: Management of Vampire Bats and Rabies: Past, Present, and Future
Introduction
Historical Perspective on Vampire Bat Rabies and Management
Current Management Practices
Limitations of Current Vampire Bat Management Strategies
Ecological Complexities of Current Management Strategies for Vampire Bat Rabies
New Approaches to Managing Vampire Bat Populations and Rabies
References
Chapter 9: Conflicting Perspectives on a Rabies Outbreak in a Venezuelan Rainforest, 2007–2008
Introduction
An Epidemic Puzzle
Missing Pieces and a Diagnostic Failure
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Surveys: What They Leave Out
A Community-Driven Alternative
Conclusion: Rethinking Trans-disciplinary Research Design
References
Chapter 10: Rabies, Medicine, and Culture: Dogs, Disease, and Urban Life in the United States, 1840–1920
Chapter 11: Historical Disparities in Health: Rabies Surveillance, Risk Factors and Prevention
Introduction
Missing Historic Records Set the Stage for Current Disparities on Rabies
Canine Rabies in the Americas
Disproportionate Animal Bite Injuries – Native American and Rural Populations
Urban/Rural Divides
Distinctions in Strategies Based Upon Health Economics
Historical Realities: The Example of Hispaniola
The Conundrum of Bat Rabies
The Disproportionate Burden of Vampire Bats in Amazonia
Bat Rabies in Colombia
Other Vulnerable Populations at Risk
Disparities in Basic Health Knowledge
Inequalities in Animal Control Enforcement
Moving Forward in the Americas?
Conclusions
References
Chapter 12: The Health Economics of Rabies in the Americas: An Historical Summary and a Synthesis of the Literature
Introduction
Health Economics Literature Review for the Americas
Results of Related Health Economic Studies
Canada and the U.S.
Mexico
Haiti
Conclusions
References
Chapter 13: Towards the Elimination of Canine Rabies in the Americas: Governance of a Regional Program
Introduction
From Pre-Columbian Times to the 1950s
From 1950 to 2000
From 2000 to Date
Current Considerations and Lessons Learned
Future Challenges
References
Documents of Meetings of the Rabies Program Directors in the Americas (REDIPRA)
Chapter 14: Musing Over Non-technical Criticalities of Rabies Prevention and Control
Introduction
‘The Eagle Has Landed’
On Planning
On the Ground
Final Thoughts
References
Index
