[Preventive rabies vaccination using vaccine prepared from human diploid cells]

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Vaccinology
• Public Health

Background:

• Rabies remains a significant global public health concern, necessitating effective vaccination strategies.
• Traditional rabies vaccines have varying efficacy and safety profiles.
• The development of advanced rabies vaccines is crucial for disease prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of the inactivated human rabies vaccine Mérieux (HDC).
• To compare the antibody response induced by HDC vaccine with that of suckling mouse brain vaccine.
• To assess the incidence and nature of adverse reactions following HDC vaccination.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 228 individuals vaccinated with HDC via deep subcutaneous injections.
• Serum antibody titrations performed using seroneutralization and focus fluorescent inhibition tests.
• Antibody levels measured at multiple time points, including post-vaccination and post-booster.
• Comparison of antibody titers with historical data from suckling mouse brain vaccine.

Main Results:

• HDC vaccine elicited very high antibody levels, with average titers significantly above those induced by suckling mouse brain vaccines.
• Average titers reached 1/511 on day 28, 1/1,558 on day 56, and 1/2,783 on day 77.
• The HDC vaccine produced titers approximately five times higher than the suckling mouse brain vaccine.
• Adverse reactions were predominantly mild and local, occurring in about 27% of cases, with pain, redness, and induration being most common.

Conclusions:

• The inactivated human rabies vaccine Mérieux (HDC) is highly immunogenic, inducing superior antibody responses compared to suckling mouse brain vaccines.
• The vaccine demonstrates a favorable safety profile with a low incidence of mild, transient local reactions.
• HDC vaccine represents a valuable tool for rabies prevention, offering enhanced protection.