What is the definitive diagnosis method for rabies?

The definitive diagnosis method for rabies is the examination of the brain tissue using the fluorescent antibody stain technique. This method allows for the direct detection of the rabies virus in nerve cells through immunofluorescence, which identifies viral antigens by using antibodies that have been tagged with a fluorescent dye. This is crucial because it provides a high level of specificity and sensitivity for identifying rabies, particularly post-mortem.

Other methods, while used in various scenarios, do not provide definitive diagnosis. Blood tests are generally not used for diagnosing rabies due to the very low levels of circulating virus in the blood. Viral culture can be challenging for rabies since the virus is difficult to propagate in laboratory conditions and is often not successful. Serology may be utilized in some contexts to detect antibodies, but it doesn’t confirm the presence of the virus itself, especially in a timely manner necessary for rabies management. Therefore, the examination of brain tissue with a fluorescent antibody stain represents the gold standard for confirming rabies infection.