Raccoon Rabies Virus Variant Transmission Through Solid Organ Transplantation

Abstract

Rabies is a fatal, acute progressive encephalitis caused by neurotropic zoonotic viruses belonging to the genus Lyssavirus.¹ Unique rabies virus variants, distinguishable by molecular typing methods, are associated with specific animal reservoirs. Globally, an estimated 55 000 persons die of rabies every year, with most transmission attributable to dog bites.² Approximately 2 human rabies deaths are reported in the United States every year, and during 2000 through 2010, all but 2 domestically acquired cases were associated with bats.^3-5 Despite raccoons being the most frequently reported rabid animal in the United States, only 1 human rabies case associated with the raccoon rabies virus variant has been reported.^3,5