A RECOMBINANT VACCINIA-RABIES VIRUS IN THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED HOST - ORAL INNOCUITY, PROGRESSIVE PARENTERAL INFECTION, AND THERAPEUTICS

With the emergence of raccoons (Procyon lotor) as the primary rabies r eservoir in the United Stares of America, a recombinant vaccinia-rabie s glycoprotein (V-RG) virus vaccine was developed that protected racco ons by the oral route from rabies infection. Despite extensive laborat ory evaluation, vaccine safety concerns remained about free-choice dis tribution for wildlife rabies control. In this study, the oral innocui ty of V-RG virus was demonstrated in immunodeficient mire but parental exposure resulted in systemic and progressive infection, albeit signi ficantly abrogated in severity in comparison to vaccinia virus. Treatm ent with vaccinia immune globulin and hydroxyphosphonylmethoxy-propyl- cyrosine resulted in significantly longer survival and minimized V-RG viral gross lesions. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.