title: Safety and serological response to a matrix gene-deleted rabies virus-based vaccine vector in dogs.
abstract: Dogs account for the majority of human exposures and deaths due to rabies virus (RABV) worldwide. In this report, we show that a replication-deficient RABV-based vaccine in which the matrix gene is deleted (RABV-ΔM) is safe and induces rapid and potent VNA titers after a single inoculation in dogs. Average VNA titers peaked at 3.02 or 5.11 international units (IU/ml) by 14 days post-immunization with a single dose of 10(6) or 10(7) focus forming units (ffu), respectively, of RABV-ΔM. By day 70 post immunization, all dogs immunized with either dose of vaccine showed VNA titers >0.5IU/ml, the level indicative of a satisfactory immunization. Importantly, no systemic or local reactions were noted in any dog immunized with RABV-ΔM. The elimination of dog rabies through mass vaccination is hindered by limited resources, requirement for repeat vaccinations often for the life of a dog, and in some parts of the world, inferior vaccine quality. Our preliminary safety and immunogenicity data in dogs suggest that RABV-ΔM might complement currently used inactivated RABV-based vaccines in vaccination campaigns by helping to obtain 100% response in vaccinated dogs, thereby increasing overall vaccination coverage.
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Jefferson Vaccine Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States. Electronic address: james.mcgettigan@jefferson.edu.
authors: James P
authors: JP
authors: McGettigan
authors: Merial-1730 Olympic Drive, Athens, GA 30601, United States.
authors: Frederic
authors: F
authors: David
authors: Merial-1730 Olympic Drive, Athens, GA 30601, United States.
authors: Monica Dias
authors: MD
authors: Figueiredo
authors: Merial, 254 rue Marcel Mérieux, 69007 Lyon, France.
authors: Jules
authors: J
authors: Minke
authors: Merial-1730 Olympic Drive, Athens, GA 30601, United States.
authors: Teshome
authors: T
authors: Mebatsion
authors: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Jefferson Vaccine Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors: Matthias J
authors: MJ
authors: Schnell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000097:blood; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D017353:Gene Deletion; D008297:Male; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000235:genetics; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D011819:Rabies Vaccines; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins
keywords: Canine; Rabies; Replication-deficient RABV; Vaccine