Evaluation of an inactivated rabies virus vaccine in domestic ferrets

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Abstract
Summary: Efficacy of an sc-administered commercial inactivated vaccine for prevention of rabies was evaluated in domestic ferrets. Ferret immunity was challenged by the 1m inoculation of street rabies virus. All ferrets developed titers of rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies within 30 days of vaccination (geometric mean titer [GMT]=154, n=41) that were maintained for at least one year (GMT= 106, n=36), compared with no seroconversion in controls (GMT < 5, n=39). Following rabies virus challenge inoculation, 89% (32/36) of vaccinated ferrets survived vs < 6% (2/38) survival in control ferrets. These results demonstrate the protective efficacy of a commercial, inactivated rabies vaccine of at least one year's duration for domestic ferrets.