Live attenuated rabies virus co-infected with street rabies virus protects animals against rabies

Abstract

While current rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is highly effective, it is costly and the vaccination regimen is complicated, requiring both inactivated vaccines and immunoglobulins. A one-dose rabies vaccine for human PEP remains a long-term goal. Here, we describe development of a highly attenuated rabies virus ERAg3m, with a mutation in the glycoprotein (G) gene and a switch of the G gene with the matrix protein gene in the viral genome. After a one-dose intramuscular vaccination, the ERAg3m virus protected 100% of mice and hamsters from lethal challenge. In co-infections, using a lethal dose of street rabies virus mixed with ERAg3m, 100% of hamsters and 90% of mice survived and were protected against subsequent infection. A mock co-infection, using inactivated commercial human rabies vaccine and a lethal dose of street rabies virus, protected 100% and 40% of hamsters and mice, respectively. In co-infections, when vaccine was administrated in the left leg and challenge virus in the right leg, the ERAg3m virus protected 40% of mice, while the inactivated vaccine showed no protection. Therefore, live attenuated rabies virus when given pre-exposure or co-infected with street rabies virus, is capable of preventing rabies in two different animal models. Overall, this highly attenuated live rabies virus offered better protection than the inactivated vaccine.