title: [Efficacy of intradermal regimen using Japanese rabies vaccine for pre-exposure prophylaxis].
abstract: In Japan, only one vaccine is commercially available for rabies (Chemo-Sero-Therapeutic Institute (Kaketsuken), Kumamoto, Japan). It is a tissue-cultured inactivated vaccine made using purified chick embryo cells (PCEC-K) and administered subcutaneously using a schedule differing from that recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The current regimen of pre-exposure prophylaxis for rabies in Japan consists of three subcutaneous administrations of PCEC-K vaccine at 0, 28, and 180 days, requiring 6 months to complete. With the exception of a few imported cases, Japan is rabies-free and rabies vaccine production is small. Globalization should trigger rabies re-emergence in Japan, however, we would have to determine whether PCEC-K vaccine is effective through intradermal administration following the WHO-recommended regimen. In a study of 50 healthy volunteers without a history of rabies vaccination and all of whom provided, PCEC-K vaccine (0.1 mL, 2 sites) was administered intradermal by on days 0, 7, and 28, and the viral neutralizing antibody level (VNA) against rabies virus was tested using the rapid fluorescent focus-inhibiting test (RFFIT) on days 0, 14, 28, 42, 56, 84, and 208. On day 42, all individuals showed adequate VNA (GMT: 3.21 IU /mL), maintained for 84 days. VNA acquisition differed slightly with the PCEC-K vaccine lot and local adverse effects were minor. The intradermal PCEC-K regimen was found to be safe and effective in inducing adequate VNA using a smaller amount of vaccine within a shorter period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University.
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shiota
authors.forename: Kamruddin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Kumato
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mifune
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nishizono
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D008297:Male; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011819:Rabies Vaccines