Laboratory Methods for Detecting Rabies Virus

Course Title: Laboratory Methods for Detecting Rabies Virus

Course Duration: 5 Days

Course Description: Designed for individuals performing rabies testing in public health laboratories, this four and one-half day workshop addresses traditional rabies testing techniques, safety in the rabies laboratory, specimen acquisition and preparation, rabies quality control and proficiency testing, standardized testing procedures, emerging technologies, and epidemiologic issues.

Course Objectives:

• Describe the basic properties of the rabies virus, its transmission, and disease course as well as relevant epidemiology of rabies in the United States.
• Assess the critical role of the rabies laboratory in terms of diagnostic capability and the interpretation of laboratory results as well as prevention and control of rabies in humans and animals.
• Recommend safe practices for those working in rabies diagnosis or shipping laboratory specimens.
• Identify and prepare appropriate specimens for rabies diagnosis.
• Review the importance of standardized DFA testing according to the national protocol.
• Demonstrate proficiency in observing DFA slides, detecting rabies virus antigen when present, and correctly interpreting difficult test results with sparse antigen or non-specific staining.
• Summarize quality control and quality assurance procedures for the rabies diagnostic laboratory.

Target Audience: This advanced-level workshop is designed for the public health microbiologists with responsibilities for bench testing or supervising the rabies laboratory. Participants must be familiar with the general methods for safe handling of infectious viruses.

Continuing Education Units: The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.^® Program. Participants who successfully complete this program will be awarded 34 contact hours. Event Number: 588-100-18.

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