There is a long incubation period in vivo, but this is not reflected in the kinetics of virus replication in culture. Receptor molecules for Rhabdoviruses are not known, but are believed to be phospholipids rather than specific proteins. Five monocistronic mRNAs are produced, capped at the 5' end and polyadenylated at the 3' end and each containing the leader sequence from the 3' end of the vRNA at the 5' end of the message. Few cases escape these severe consequences. Viraemia and haematogenous spread of virus to CNS has not been shown.
Man is a dead-end infection for the virus, normal hosts are foxes, dogs, cats, bats, skunks, etc.
Pattern is endemic rather than epidemic. Cattle rabies is a serious economic disease in countries where rabies is endemic, particuarly S. America. This type of vaccine was then produced by growing the virus in embryonated duck eggs - better, but still produced severe encephalitis in some recipients. Live attenuated - has been used to vaccinate domestic animals and livestock. Effective, but not considered sufficiently safe for human use.