Rabies-Like Inclusions in Dogs

Inclusion bodies, indistinguishable from rabies inclusion bodies (Negri bodies), were found in the brains of 8 nonrabid dogs. The inclusions were compared to Negri bodies present in neurons of rabies-positive animals and examined for the presence of rabies virus by a combination of immunoperoxidase staining (7 cases), fluorescent antibody (FA) staining (1 case), and transmission electron microscopy (4 cases). Positive immunoperoxidase staining for rabies was obtained in brain tissues from FA rabies-positive animals. All brain tissues from the 7 dogs stained by the immunoperoxidase method and the brain from the 1 dog stained by the FA method were negative for rabies. Rabies virus was not found in inclusion-containing neurons in the cases examined by transmission electron microscopy. These results emphasize the importance of FA testing and mouse inoculation for the diagnosis of rabies.