Final answer:
ABLV and rabies virus cause fatal neurodegenerative disease in humans. They infect the CNS, leading to altered behavior and paralysis. Prevention includes vaccination, vector control, and rapid post-exposure treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) and rabies virus are acellular pathogens that can cause severe neurological diseases, notably neurodegeneration, in humans and animals. ABLV, closely related to the rabies virus, shares its ability to enter nervous tissue, ultimately leading to fatal encephalitis if left untreated. The incubation period for rabies can be variable, often extending over a long period as the virus moves from the bite site into the central nervous system (CNS) by retrograde transport within nerves.
Once in the CNS, the rabies virus disrupts normal neurotransmitter function, which manifests in symptoms such as hydrophobia, aggressive behavior, and paralysis. Rabies remains almost invariably fatal after the onset of symptoms and relies on early vaccination and vector control for prevention. Contrastingly, the rabies vaccine, stemming from Louis Pasteur's pioneering work, can offer life-saving immunity if administered before symptom onset.
In both the rabies virus and ABLV, the surface glycoprotein facilitates attachment to and penetration of host cells, enabling these pathogens to establish infection. Awareness and control of animal reservoirs, immediate post-exposure prophylaxis, and public health measures are crucial in managing rabies and preventing human cases.