Rabies is caused by which type of pathogen?

• A. Fungus
• B. Bacteria
• C. Parvovirus
• D. Rhabdovirus

Answer: (D)

Rabies is caused by a virus. The agent is specifically a rhabdovirus, a member of the Rhabdoviridae family, which are enveloped, negative-sense RNA viruses. Viruses are obligate intracellular pathogens, meaning they must invade host cells to replicate, unlike bacteria (which are cellular prokaryotes) or fungi (which are eukaryotic organisms). Parvovirus is another virus, but it’s a different family and not the rabies agent; the disease rabies is produced by the rhabdovirus. The rabies virus targets nervous tissue and travels from the bite site along nerves to the brain, causing the characteristic neurological signs. So the best answer is a rhabdovirus.