J Bacteriol Virol.  2015 Sep;45(3):250-255. 10.4167/jbv.2015.45.3.250.

Safety and Immunogenicity of a Recombinant Rabies Virus Strain (ERAG3G) in Korean Raccoon Dogs

• Yang DK
• Kim HH
• Jo HY
• Kim HW
• Choi SS
• Cho IS

• KMID: 2068740
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4167/jbv.2015.45.3.250

Abstract

A new alternative rabies bait vaccine strain named ERAG3G, which is applicable to wild animals, was developed to eliminate rabies in South Korea. In this study, the safety and immunogenicity of the strain was evaluated in Korean raccoon dogs. The ERAG3G was propagated in BHK/T7-9 cells. Korean raccoon dogs were administered ERAG3G (1 ml, 10(8.0) FAID50/ml) orally or intramuscularly to evaluate its safety and immunogenicity. The raccoon dogs were observed for 70 days after administration, and immunogenicity was measured using a fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test. The ERAG3G strain was not pathogenic to Korean raccoon dogs immunized via the intramuscular or oral route. Raccoon dogs administered the candidate vaccine via the oral route developed high virus neutralizing antibody (VNA) titers ranging from 13.7 to 41.6 IU/ml 70 days post administration. Raccoon dogs inoculated intramuscularly with the ERAG3G strain developed moderate VNA titers ranging from 0.5 to 13.7 IU/ml. These findings suggest that the ERAG3G strain is safe and induces a protective immune response in raccoon dogs.

Keyword

Recombinant rabies virus; Immunity; Raccoon dogs

MeSH Terms

Animals
Animals, Wild
Antibodies, Neutralizing
Korea
Neutralization Tests
Rabies virus*
Rabies*
Raccoon Dogs*
Raccoons*
Antibodies, Neutralizing

Figure

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  Figure 1. Example of fluorescent assay virus neutralization (FAVN) test performed in BHK-21 cells. Fluorescent in the BHK-21 cells was not found in the A neutralized by serum antibody against RABV, but fluorescent appeared in the B due to absence of serum antibody against RABV.

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