Effect of vaccination and the immunomodulators 'bacillus of Calmette-Guerin, Avridine and Propionibacterium acnes' on rabies in mice

摘要

220 mice were injected i.m. with rabid mouse brain suspension and then treated 24 h later with 1 of 3 immunomodulators (BCG, P. acnes or avridine) or were untreated controls. In a second experiment, 220 mice were inoculated with rabid mouse brain suspension and vaccinated 24 h later with antirabies vaccine into the left footpad. These mice were then immediately treated with 1 of the 3 immunomodulators or were untreated controls. Responses were evaluated using macrophage inhibition factor (MIF), intra-pad inoculation (IPI) and serum neutralization (SN) tests and by the detection of interferon (IFN-gamma). Higher survival rates were found in animals treated with P. acnes. Vaccination alone did not increase the survival rate. Levels of SN antibodieswere not associated with the survival rate. Lower levels of IFN-gamma were observed in the groups of infected and vaccinated mice. The IPI was not effective in detecting the response of delayed-type hypersensitivity. More intense MIF reactions were foundin the infected and vaccinated mice than in infected groups.