O. Thraenhart et al., LONG-TERM HUMORAL AND CELLULAR-IMMUNITY AFTER VACCINATION WITH CELL-CULTURE RABIES VACCINES IN MAN, Clinical immunology and immunopathology, 71(3), 1994, pp. 287-292
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 (PBR4C) and serum were tested for t
he presence of either rabies virus-specific antibodies or rabies antig
en-specific proliferation. Neutralizing immunoglobulin class G anti-ra
bies virus antibodies could be detected in sera of all vaccinees, but
not in 18 age- and sex-matched controls. Rabies antigen-induced prolif
eration of PBMCs from vaccinees was significantly higher than that of
controls. The antirabies T and B cell response showed no time-dependen
t pattern. These results suggest the induction of a long-term immunity
after rabies immunization according to pre- and postexposure schedule
s with inactivated cell culture vaccines against rabies. (C) 1994 Acad
emic Press, Inc.