Which of the following is best for ante-moem diagnosis of rabies: March 2009

Ans. C: Immunofluorescence of skin biopsy Ante moem diagnosis in human cases is necessary for medical management of the patient and to ensure appropriate post-exposure treatment of contacts. Rabies can be confirmed in patients early in the illness by antigen detection using immunofluorescence of skin biopsy, and by virus isolation from saliva and other secretions. Immunofluorescence of corneal impression smears has proved unreliable. Neutralising antibodies are usually not detected in serum or CSF before the eight day.