Rabies immune globulin (human) in the prevention of rabies

The development of rabies immune globulin of human origin is discussed. Antirabies serum of equine origin when used in conjunction with rabies vaccine, enhances significantly the chances of survival after a severe bite by a rabid animal. However, those who receive the equine serum may develop serum sickness or even anaphylaxis. To circumvent this risk, while preserving the benefit, many workers have attempted to develop rabies immune globulin of human origin. Success was impeded by the difficulty in obtaining rabies immune plasma with the needed antibody level. Despite this and other obstacles, production of the human globulin on a scale sufficient to satisfy clinical needs has been finally realized. At the appropriate dosage, this globulin was demonstrated to interfere minimally, if at all, with the expression of active immunity induced by vaccination.