Histopathological hallmarks of rabies: A case report from the autopsy table

Abstract

Rabies is a zoonotic disease that affects many mammals, including humans, through bites from infected animals. We report a necropsy of rabies in a male patient from a rural background and the vital role of forensic histopathology in confirming the diagnosis of rabies. A man was admitted with fever, altered sensorium, aggressive behaviour and unconsciousness. Two years earlier he had been scratched on the foot by a stray dog but had received no anti-rabies treatment. He died within 96 hours of symptom onset. Histopathological testing of the brain during necropsy showed the presence of Negri bodies and confirmed the diagnosis of rabies. Although the incubation period of rabies can vary widely, this was not a classic case of rabies infection with a normal incubation period. In rural settings, where molecular testing is difficult, appropriate testing and analysis of samples with histopathology can clarify the diagnosis.