Lyssaviruses are a group of RNA viruses belonging to the family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus, that primarily infect mammals. They are best known for causing the disease rabies, a highly lethal viral infection that affects the central nervous system. Lyssaviruses have a bullet-shaped structure and possess a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome.
These viruses are typically transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly through bites or scratches. Once inside the host, the lyssavirus replicates and spreads to the central nervous system, leading to severe inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
Lyssavirus infection is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, including fever, headache, weakness, anxiety, agitation, and ultimately progressing to more severe symptoms such as hallucinations, paralysis, and coma. If left untreated, it is nearly always fatal.
Prevention of lyssavirus infections primarily involves vaccination, both in humans and in domestic animals. Prompt administration of post-exposure prophylaxis, which involves vaccination and the use of rabies immunoglobulin, is crucial to prevent the development of the disease after exposure.
Several lyssavirus strains have been identified, including rabies virus, Australian bat lyssavirus, and European bat lyssavirus. While rabies remains the most well-known lyssavirus, other strains have also been documented to cause cases of disease in different geographical regions. Efforts are constantly being made to study lyssaviruses and develop improved vaccines and treatments to combat these deadly infections.
