Which statement is true regarding the freezing of a head for rabies testing?

The statement that freezing a head has no impact on direct Fluorescent Antibody (dFA) testing for rabies is correct because dFA testing is designed to be performed on fresh or refrigerated brain tissue. This method is sensitive to the condition of the tissue. In fact, freezing can damage the tissue and negatively affect the ability to detect the rabies virus effectively.

Rabies virus identification relies on intact brain tissue to provide accurate results, so if a specimen is frozen, it risks compromising the structural integrity of the samples being analyzed. Therefore, while some preservation methods can be effective, freezing is not recommended and can lead to erroneous results in rabies testing. Proper handling and storage conditions are critical for maintaining the viability of the sample and ensuring the most reliable testing outcomes.