SAG-2 ORAL RABIES VACCINE

The live modified rabies virus vaccine strain SAG-2 was selected from SADBerne in a two step process employing anti-rabies glycoprotein mono clonal antibodies. The first two nucleotides coding for the amino acid in position 333 of the rabies glycoprotein are mutated. Arginine at p osition 333, which is associated with rabies pathogenicity, was substi tuted first by lysine and then by glutamic acid. The two nucleotide di fferences at position 333 in SAG-2 to any of six possible arginine tri plets translated into excellent genetic stability and apathogenicity f or adult mice, foxes, cats and dogs. The vaccination of foxes and dogs by the oral route provided protection against a lethal challenge with rabies virus.