An allergen-free antirabies vaccine

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Vaccinology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Encephalitogenic activity in animal brains varies with age.
• Albino rat brains develop encephalitogenicity later (after 18 days) than other species studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an allergen-free, non-encephalitogenic antirabies vaccine.
• To utilize the delayed encephalitogenicity in suckling rats for vaccine production.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of an antirabies vaccine using brains of suckling rats.
• Phenolization of the vaccine in both liquid and lyophilized forms.
• Testing vaccine efficacy and safety in animal models and human subjects.

Main Results:

• The vaccine demonstrated high antigenic titres in animals.
• It effectively increased virus-neutralizing antibodies in humans.
• Significantly fewer general reactions and no neuroparalytic accidents were reported compared to the Fermi vaccine.
• Low thromboplastic activity was observed.
• Successful vaccination in high-risk individuals.

Conclusions:

• An allergen-free, non-encephalitogenic antirabies vaccine can be successfully produced using suckling rat brains.
• This vaccine offers improved safety and efficacy, with reduced adverse events.
• It is suitable for mass production and vaccination, including in at-risk populations.