Long-term humoral and cellular immunity after vaccination with cell culture rabies vaccines in man

Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1994 Jun;71(3):287-92. doi: 10.1006/clin.1994.1088.

Abstract

To determine the duration of anti-rabies immunity, peripheral blood of 18 vaccinees was obtained between 2 and 14 years after immunization. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and serum were tested for the presence of either rabies virus-specific antibodies or rabies antigen-specific proliferation. Neutralizing immunoglobulin class G anti-rabies virus antibodies could be detected in sera of all vaccinees, but not in 18 age- and sex-matched controls. Rabies antigen-induced proliferation of PBMCs from vaccinees was significantly higher than that of controls. The anti-rabies T and B cell response showed no time-dependent pattern. These results suggest the induction of a long-term immunity after rabies immunization according to pre- and post-exposure schedules with inactivated cell culture vaccines against rabies.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / analysis
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Antibody Formation*
  • Chick Embryo
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rabies Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Rabies Vaccines / immunology
  • Rabies virus / immunology
  • Time Factors
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Rabies Vaccines
  • anti-IgG