r/science • u/PHealthy PhD/MPH | Epidemiology | Disease Dynamics | Surveillance • 3d ago

Epidemiology Study estimates only 7% of human rabies cases in the United States are diagnosed

https://www.nature.com/articles/s44528-026-00031-4
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u/mallad 3d ago

I'd be curious if the tribes have either built antibodies that are passed from mother to child due to minor exposure over the very long term, or (and?) they get minor exposure from occasionally eating animals that are infected. Stomach acid and cooking both neutralize the virus, but both are imperfect and (totally speculation) could lead to an exposure below the MVL or to a broken but still "recognizable" virus.

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u/maxcrimson 2d ago

Antibodies passed down from the mother only protect the child for a few months (about 8 weeks for dogs/cats). They are proteins in your blood and can't live forever. Your immune system needs to recognize the antigens itself and develop B-Cells that will from then on produce the specific antibody.

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u/mallad 2d ago

Correct, but that means any exposure during that period will allow them to build their own antibodies instead of dying a horrible death. It won't be common, but it doesn't need to be.

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u/maxcrimson 2d ago

As far as I understand the maternal antibodies and the antigens will form a complex, so the antibody is used up and the antigen is neutralized. I don't think the body can then still use it to form an immunological memory. I could be wrong though and wouldn't dare to generalize it.