Kinetics of different specific immunological parameters after rabies vaccination in mice.
A significant protection to an intracerebral challenge of 70 mean lethal doses of a standard live rabies virus strain was obtained in BCG-pretreated mice or in normal mice which had been immunized with a single subcutaneous injection of a beta-propiolactone-inactivated rabies vaccine. Concomitantly, levels of delayed-type hypersensitivity (measured in vivo by the footpad test) and serum-neutralizing activity were evaluated at various times after immunization. All immune criteria were significantly augmented in the BCG-pretreated, rabies-immune mice as compared to normal, rabies-immune mice. However, peak levels of protection, delayed-type hypersensitivity, and serum-neutralizing activity did not occur at the same times. For instance, in the BCG-pretreated, rabies-immune mice, delayed-type hypersensitivity peaked on day 7, protection peaked on day 21, and serum-neutralizing activity peaked on day 60. In BCG-pretreated mice, which did not receive the rabies vaccine, positive delayed-type hypersensitivity, some protection, and serum neutralizing activity were observed 4 to 5 weeks after BCG pretreatment. The possible relationships between specific and nonspecific immunity provoked by rabies virus antigens, tissue culture cell-associated antigens (derived from the bovine fetal kidney cells in which the rabies virus was grown, and BCG are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D011818:Rabies / Q000276:immunology*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D001500:BCG Vaccine; D011819:Rabies Vaccines