NEW HUMAN TISSUE CULTURE VACCINE AGAINST RABIES

Abstract

Nerve tissue rabies vaccines may produce neurologic sequelae, whereas duck embryo rabies vaccine has relatively poor antigenicity. To eliminate reactions while at the same time improving antibody responses, a vaccine has been prepared by concentration of rabies virus virions from supernatant fluids of WI-38 cell cultures, followed by inactivation with Beta-propiolactone or tributyl phosphate. Trials in animals showed protection against challenge. in man 1 dose given intramuscularly elicited antibodies in most subjects, and 3 doses produced responses in 100%. Vaccination with duck embryo vaccine on the same schedule resulted in titers ten to twentyfold lower. Excellent booster responses were observed in previously vaccinated individuals, possible schedules for postexposure immunization have been worked out, based on adnninistration of only 4 doses of vaccine, preexposure vaccination will also be feasible with minimal reactions, since the vaccine contains no animal protein. (we thank the Wyeth Laboratories and the institut Merieux for preparing the vaccine).