It doesn't equate, only relates. AFAIK, it is still impossible to definitivly diagnose MS short of an autopsy. The diagnosis is based on symptomology and none-definitive signs like oligiclonal banding in the CSF.

The patient in question had presented with symptoms suggestive of MS.

Rabies also affects the CNS. I can only presume that the person in question was actually suffering from rabies and was mis-diagnosed.

This was told to me by a neurologist and a second neurologist standing nearby confirmed it. I haven't looked for a citation recently but couldn't find one when I last looked.