Rabies should be included in the differential diagnosis of any encephalitis
Rabies should be included in the differential diagnosis of any encephalitis, especially if it is acute, rapidly progressive, has history of animal bite, (bat is more common in USA), combined with clinical signs like paresthesia, hypersalivation, dysphagia, hydrophobia etc. Rabies is a universally fatal disease, has been reported to be transmitted by corneal and organ transplants. There has been a total of 24 human case reports during 2000-2006 in the united states.
Here are a few important links:
Long-Term Follow-up after Treatment of Rabies by Induction of Coma , NEJM, Volume 357:945-946, August 30, 2007
Management of Rabies in Humans (CDC), CID 2003:36 (1 January)
Care of Rabies: Milwaukee Protocol, full management kit from The Medical College of Wisconsin
MMWR report: Human Rabies, Indiana and California 2006 , April 20, 2007 / 56(15);361-365
Rabies Transmission From Organ Transplants, CDC
