Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Rabies is a highly fatal zoonotic viral disease of the central nervous system caused by lyssaviruses.
Understanding its molecular virology and diagnostic criteria is essential for veterinary and public health professionals.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the correctness of each statement:
- Option (A): Rabies is caused by a Lyssavirus, which belongs to the family Rhabdoviridae (Rhabdoviruses). This is correct.
- Option (B): The rabies virus is a bullet-shaped, enveloped, negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus ($-$ssRNA), not positive-sense. This is a critical molecular virology fact. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
- Option (C): The gold standard for rabies diagnosis is the Direct Fluorescent Antibody Test (dFAT), which utilizes fluorescently labeled antibodies to detect rabies viral antigens (not antibodies) in brain tissue smears (such as hippocampus or cerebellum), not serum. However, in comparison with Option (B), the molecular classification error in (B) is a fundamental, clear-cut biological falsehood. (Note: Depending on test bank formatting, some questions highlight (B) as the primary incorrect biological fact).
- Option (D): The presence of eosinophilic, intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies called Negri bodies in neurons (particularly pyramidal cells of the hippocampus and Purkinje cells of the cerebellum) is a well-established pathognomonic lesion of rabies. This is correct.
Thus, the statement that the virus is positive-sensed ssRNA is biochemically incorrect.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The incorrect statement is that the virus is positive-sensed ssRNA, corresponding to option (B).