TABLE 3.
Results of laboratory confirmation of rabies attempted in 55 patients during lifea
| Determination | Frequency of rabies diagnosisb
|
Sensitivityd | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–4 daysc | 5–8 days | 9–12 days | 13–16 days | >16 days | ||
| Antigen in skin biopsies | 5/6 | 6/10 | 5/5 | 1/2 | 1/3 | 0.69 (n = 26) |
| Antibodies in serum | 1/15 | 5/28 | 8/25 | 14/20 | 12/14 | 0.39 (n = 102) |
| Antibodies in CSF | 0/7 | 0/12 | 1/10 | 3/8 | 6/10 | 0.21 (n = 47) |
| Antigen in corneal smears | 0/4 | 1/16 | 3/16 | 2/7 | 2/16 | 0.14 (n = 59) |
a
These results were obtained from the analysis of 39 cases of rabies in the United States (3, 10–27) and 16 cases in France (1970–May 1997) (unpublished results).
b
The number of patients diagnosed with rabies relative to the total number is given.
c
Days after onset of symptoms.
d
n = number of samples.