Studies on the Interferonogenicity and Immunogenicity of Different Types of Rabies Vaccines

Summary

Interferon (IFN) production in CFLP mice was induced by hyperimmunization of the mice with Hempt, Vnukovo 32 and PM WI 38 1503–3 M-Mérieux rabies vaccines. Three hours after immunization the IFN titre was higher in the serum than in the brain. The serum IFN titre was not a function of the type of vaccine. In the brain however IFN was detectable for the longest time (24 hr) when induced by the Mérieux vaccine. The earliest disappearance of IFN (< 6 hours) was observed in the brains of mice immunized with the Hempt vaccine. The highest IFN titre was induced by the Mérieux vaccine.

Ten persons were immunized with the Mérieux vaccine mostly on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 90. Four hours after inoculation, the IFN content in the sera was 40–320 IU/ml, lowest on day 14. Rabies neutralizing antibody (nAB) was already detectable in the sera on day 14 (≧ 1.73 IU/ml). On day 90, the nAB content was ≧27 IU/ml and there was no decrease till the 110th day. In the serum of one patient there was a lower IFN and nAB level owing to long-term Prednisolon treatment.