npj Vaccines (Nov 2024)

Evaluation of one year immunity following rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in dog bite cases

  • Nisa Ya,
  • Heidi Auerswald,
  • Sothy Touch,
  • Saraden In,
  • Chanvannak Yun,
  • Pisey Thai,
  • Sotheary Sann,
  • Borita Heng,
  • Chanthy Leng,
  • Veasna Duong,
  • Yik Sing Peng,
  • Sowath Ly,
  • Tineke Cantaert

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-024-01030-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract Rabies remains a global health threat despite being preventable with post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). This study assessed one-year humoral and T cell immunity in PEP recipients of the Insitut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) regimen, recommended by WHO. We analyzed rabies virus (RABV) neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) and T cell responses at baseline, 7 and 14 days, 6 and 12 months after PEP. A total of 148 patients were included, with 78 bitten by confirmed RABV-positive dogs receiving PEP and equine rabies immunoglobulins (eRIG), and 70 bitten by RABV-negative dogs receiving only PEP. Fourteen days after PEP, all but two individuals seroconverted for nAbs ( ≥ 0.5 IU/mL) with 87% maintaining this response even after 12 months. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-secreting T cells were significantly elevated after 14 days and sustained for one year. No differences were observed between the RABV-exposed and -unexposed groups. This study demonstrates robust one-year immunity after IPC PEP.