How do rats respond to rabies? - briefly
Rats exhibit a high degree of resistance to the rabies virus, with infection seldom progressing to clinical disease. When infection does occur, symptoms are atypical and mortality remains low compared with most other mammals.
How do rats respond to rabies? - in detail
Rats exhibit a low susceptibility to the rabies virus compared with carnivorous mammals. Experimental inoculation demonstrates that most laboratory strains develop subclinical infection or abortive disease, while a minority progress to neurological illness. The virus enters peripheral nerves at the bite site, travels retrograde to the central nervous system, and induces characteristic encephalitic changes.
Clinical manifestations, when present, include:
- Hyperexcitability and uncoordinated movements
- Aggressive biting behavior
- Paralysis of hind limbs
- Respiratory distress preceding death
The incubation period varies from two weeks to several months, depending on inoculum dose and site of entry. Mortality approaches 100 % in rats that develop overt neurological signs, yet the overall case fatality in natural exposures remains low because most infections fail to reach the clinical stage.
Immunologically, rats generate a robust neutralizing antibody response that limits viral spread. Seroconversion occurs within 7–10 days post‑infection, and passive transfer of immune serum confers protection in naïve individuals. Cellular immunity, mediated by CD8⁺ T cells, contributes to clearance of infected neurons, although the mechanisms are less defined than in larger mammals.
Epidemiologically, rats are not considered significant reservoirs for rabies. Surveillance data show rare detection of viral RNA in wild rodent populations, and transmission to humans or domestic animals is exceptionally uncommon. Control measures therefore prioritize vaccination of primary hosts rather than rodent management.
Research employing rat models provides insight into viral pathogenesis and host defense, supporting the development of antiviral therapies and vaccine strategies applicable to a broader range of species. «Rabies virus» studies in rats continue to clarify the balance between viral neuroinvasion and the host’s innate and adaptive immune barriers.