EFFICACY STUDY OF A NEW ALBUMIN-FREE HUMAN-DIPLOID CELL RABIES VACCINE (LYSSAVAC-HDC, BERNA) IN 100 SEVERELY RABIES-EXPOSED THAI PATIENTS

A newly developed human diploid cell rabies vaccine (Lyssavac- HDC), p roduced without added serum albumin and with an effort to remove the v irus-inactivating beta-propriolactone prior to addition of the gelatin , L-cysteine and potassium phosphate stabilizer, was tested for safety immunogenicity, adverse reactions and efficacy in 100 severely rabies -exposed Thais. All patients also received human rabies immune globuli n and vaccine was administered using the conventional 5-dose intramusc ular schedule of one dose an days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28. One hundred perc ent of a subgroup of 40 subjects, where blood had been collected, had neutralizing antibodies greater than 0.5 IU ml(-1) on days 28 and 90 a nd all had detectable titers on days 7, 14, 28, 90, 180 and 360. All p atients could be followed for at least 1 year and remained well. No si gnificant side-effects from this vaccine were noted.