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Pre-exposure vaccination with purified chick embryo cell rabies vaccines in children
P Lumbiganon1, P Chaiprasithikul, T Sookpranee
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
Insights
Purified chick embryo rabies vaccine effectively protected children exposed to rabid dogs. Both 0.5 ml and 1 ml doses induced protective rabies antibody levels with no serious reactions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rabid dog exposure in children necessitates prompt intervention.
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with rabies vaccine is a critical preventive measure.
- Evaluating vaccine efficacy and safety in pediatric populations is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the immunogenicity and safety of purified chick embryo rabies vaccine (PCECV) as PrEP in children.
- To compare the immune response between two different dosages of PCECV.
- To evaluate the long-term outcomes in children receiving PCECV.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving children with potential rabies exposure but no direct contact.
- Administration of PCECV at 0.5 ml or 1 ml intramuscularly on days 0, 7, and 28.
- Rabies antibody levels measured using a standard mouse neutralization test at various time points.
Main Results:
- All children developed detectable rabies antibody levels by day 14, exceeding 0.5 IU/ml.
- Antibody titers peaked between days 28-56 and declined by day 90.
- While the 1 ml group showed higher antibody levels, the difference was not statistically significant. No serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusions:
- PCECV is immunogenic and safe for rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis in children.
- Both tested dosages induced protective antibody levels.
- Follow-up confirmed sustained well-being in all participants.
Abstract:
Children who have close contact with rabid dogs, with a history of neither being bitten nor scratched nor licked on broken skin or on mucous membranes were given purified chick embryo rabies vaccine as pre-exposure prophylaxis. Thirteen children received 0.5 ml of the vaccine, while 12 children received 1 ml of the vaccine intramuscularly on days 0, 7 and 28. The rabies antibody level was measured by a standard mouse neutralization test. Before vaccination, all vaccinees had no detectable level of antibody to rabies. On day 14, all children had antibody levels higher than 0.5 IU/ml; the titer peaked from day 28 to day 56 and then was lower on day 90. Children of the 1 ml group had antibody levels higher than the 0.5 ml group, but there was no statistically significant difference. No serious reaction occurred. At 2-3 years of follow up, all children were doing well.