Rabies Virus

Rabies is the prototype virus of the Lyssavirus genus of the order Mononegavirales, family Rhabdoviridae. The Mononegavirales are characterized by a nonsegmented, negative-stranded RNA genome, encapsulated tightly into a ribonucleocapsid structure. The Rhabdoviridae are classified as a group based on a similar conical or bullet-shaped appearance by electron microscopy. The host range for Rhabdoviridae is highly diversified, including plants, arthropods, fish, and mammals (1). Previously known simply as the rabies and rabies-related virus group, the genus Lyssavirus is presently composed of genotype 1, classical rabies virus, and 14 other genotypes that are closely related antigenically and genetically and produce a clinical disease indistinguishable from rabies (2). However, lyssaviruses are serologically distinct from other rhabdoviruses.