Rabies in vaccinated dogs in Gabon
Bourhy, H.; Lafon, M.; Berthonneau, M.C.; Renner, Y.; Rollin, P.E.; Sureau, P.
Veterinary Record 122(15): 361-362
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 3381454 Document Number: 316809
Between June 1984 and December 1986, 26 cases of dog rabies were confirmed in Gabon; 11 of these dogs had been vaccinated against rabies. All showed a clinical picture typical of rabies and died between 4.5 and 11 months after a single vaccination (9 cases) or after the last booster inoculation (2 cases). They had been vaccinated according to manufacturer's instructions with one of the cell culture inactivated dog rabies vaccines produced by IFFA-Merieux. A study of 3 isolates showed no antigenic differences which could explain the reported vaccine failures. No rabies-related viruses were identified. Further serological studies in 26 rabies vaccinated dogs in Gabon and in Peru showed that neutralizing antibody titres to the challenge virus strain (CVS) in dogs from Gabon were not significantly different from those in dogs from Peru but titres against Gabon strain number 860793 virus (isolated from one of the dead dogs) were significantly lower in the dogs from Gabon than in dogs from Peru. In both series of dogs the neutralizing titres against Gabon virus were lower than against CVS. It is suggested this may be because of the closer antigenic relationship between CVS and the Pitman-Moore strain used in vaccine production than between the Gabon and Pitman-Moore strain. The index of protection in rabies vaccinated mice when challenged with CVS or Gabon strain was identical with both viruses.