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Comparative Neutralization Activity of Commercial Rabies Immunoglobulin against Diverse Lyssaviruses
Jessica Coertse1,2, Natalie Viljoen1,2, Jacqueline Weyer1,2,3
1Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, A Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa.
Vaccines
|July 29, 2023
Summary
Commercial rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) shows limited effectiveness against diverse lyssaviruses beyond the standard rabies virus. Higher doses may be needed, and new passive immunization strategies are essential.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Novel lyssaviruses are frequently identified, increasing concerns about rabies prevention.
- Current rabies post-exposure prophylaxis relies on rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), which has not evolved with new virus discoveries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the neutralization capacity of commercial rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) against a diverse panel of lyssavirus species.
- To determine the efficacy of RIG against lyssaviruses phylogenetically distant from the classical rabies virus.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of two commercial RIG preparations (human and equine origin).
- Testing neutralization activity against a panel of 13 different lyssavirus species.
- Comparison of neutralization efficacy relative to the standard rabies virus.
Main Results:
- Commercial RIG demonstrated reduced neutralization against most tested lyssaviruses compared to the standard rabies virus.
- Neutralization was less effective for lyssaviruses outside of phylogroup I and often required very high RIG doses.
- Ikoma lyssavirus remained unneutralized by the evaluated RIG preparations.
- Efficacy decreased with increasing genetic distance from vaccine strains.
Conclusions:
- Current commercial rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is not universally effective against all known lyssaviruses.
- Higher doses of RIG may be necessary for neutralizing genetically divergent lyssaviruses.
- Development of alternative passive immunization strategies is crucial for comprehensive rabies prevention.
