Natural resistance of an African rodent Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis to rabies infection.

Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis, the multimammate mouse, proved resistant to the intracerebral and peripheral infection with rabies virus of serotype 1, which is found world-wide. It is, however, fully susceptible to the other serotypes of this virus group, which to-date have only been found on the African continent. Resistance develops between the third and twenty-first day after birth. In the brain of the resistant animal the inoculated virus multiplies to a low degree and the animal does not develop a fatal disease.