Preparation of human rabies vaccine in VERO cell culture using a microcarrier system

Braz J Med Biol Res. 1993 Dec;26(12):1305-17.

Abstract

1. The rabies virus (Pasteur PV strain) was propagated in VERO cells attached to microcarriers in a 3.7-1 bioreactor. Virus titers of about 10(6) LD50/ml were obtained regularly. 2. Ultrafiltration was efficient for concentrating the virus suspensions, and the sucrose gradient reduced the residual VERO cell DNA to acceptable levels (less than 50 pg/dose). The remaining cell DNA content was evaluated by dot-blot hybridization with a probe prepared with VERO cell DNA. 3. The final virus preparations were inactivated by B-propiolactone treatment, showed a potency higher than 2.5 IU/dose and protected mice experimentally infected intracerebrally with rabies virus (CVS-13.2). 4. This methodology for the production of a rabies vaccine for human use should be of interest to countries where high technology facilities are not available.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • DNA / analysis
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting / methods
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Rabies Vaccines / immunology*
  • Rabies virus / growth & development
  • Rabies virus / immunology*
  • Time Factors
  • Vaccines, Inactivated / immunology
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Rabies Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Inactivated
  • DNA