Rabies

Diseases caused by Lyssavirus affect the nervous systems of mammals. They are mostly transmitted by bites from infected individuals via saliva. If left untreated, the disease is fatal.

According to the WOAH, the territory of the Czech Republic has been officially free of rabies since 2004 thanks to the oral vaccination of wild animals (such as foxes and raccoon dogs) and the mandatory vaccination of dogs. Nevertheless, the SVS CR continues to organise the monitoring of reservoir animals for rabies throughout the country. In certain cases, other animals suspected of being infected with rabies are examined too.

Our laboratory is the only one in the Czech Republic that performs antibody titer testing after vaccination due to travelling with animals vaccinated against rabies to 'third countries' or importing vaccinated animals from 'third countries'. We also determine anti-rabies antibodies to verify the effectiveness of vaccination in humans.

National reference laboratory for rabies

Description
Contacts
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FAQ

Description

Examination options and suitable materials:

FAVN antibody testing after vaccination: serum or clotted blood
-virological testing by RT-PCR: brain tissue.

For the rabies antibody test (FAVN test), it is always necessary to take clotted blood and, if possible, centrifuge the clotted blood to obtain blood serum. Sending blood serum (at least 0.5 ml of blood serum) instead of clotted blood can prevent possible haemolysis of the sample.

Rabies antibody testing takes 8-10 days.

The minimum amount of antibodies that must be detected from a blood serum sample is 0.5 MJ/ml. At the same time, this amount of antibodies guarantees the protection of the vaccinated animal against rabies infection.

The current price of the test can be found in our price list for dogs and cats. For this type of test, a special application form is required, which can be found in the download section.

Determination of rabies virus

When rabies is suspected, we perform virus detection in dead animals using IFR and RT-PCR. Please refer to our price list for the current cost of testing.

Virology a serology

MVDr. Helena Mikulcová

+420 770 118 898
helena.mikulcova@svupraha.cz

Virology and serology

MVDr. Roman Masopust

+420 770 118 901
roman.masopust@svupraha.cz

Virology and serology

MVDr. Jitka Horníčková

+420 604 917 488
jitka.hornickova@svupraha.cz

Information and Results

Ester Kučerová

+420 251 031 302
ester.kucerova@svupraha.cz

Download

Typ souboru	Název	Velikost
	Application.pdf	0,5 MB	Stáhnout
	Application.doc	0,1 MB	Stáhnout

FAQ

Can I deliver the sample myself or pay for the test directly?

You can deliver the sample to our workplace yourself. We are open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but you can also drop off your sample outside these hours at our gatehouse or in the refrigerated box at the entrance.

Can I collect my results?

Results are usually sent via Czech post on a cash-on-delivery basis. Alternatively, you can collect them in person (from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) or receive them by email. If you would prefer to collect the results in person or receive them by email, please indicate this on the application form and provide your email address. If you wish to collect your results in person, it is always advisable to check first by phone or email whether they are ready.

How long can I keep the sample at home for, and under what conditions?

Ideally, the sample should be delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection. However, it is possible to store the sample for a short period of time (a few days) in a refrigerator (2–8 °C) in the dark. For long-term storage, blood sera should be frozen at -20 °C or below. Always contact our laboratory for long-term storage of samples.

How long does the examination take?

The test itself takes three days. However, we do not inject samples into the test every day, so it can take up to ten days in total.