RESUMO
Background: A WHO experts committee recommended the substitution of antirabic vaccines produced in nervous tissue, by vaccines produced in tissue cultures. Aim: To compare the immunogenic capacity of antirabic vaccines CRL (produced in nervous tissue) and Verorab½ (produced in tissue culture), used for pre-exposure prophylaxis in humans. Patients and methods: Fifty four volunteers were immunized for this study. The first group, vaccinated with CLR was treated with a scheme of 4 subcutaneous peri umbilical doses in days 0, 3, 7 and 28. The second group, vaccinated with Verorab½ vaccine was treated with a scheme of 3 intramuscular doses in deltoid zone at days 0, 7 and 28. Blood samples were obtained at days 0, 7, 42 and 365 to measure neutralizing antibodies using the Inhibition of Fluorescent Focus Technique (RFFIT). Results: At day seven, a primary non protective immunologic response was observed in both groups, with titers significantly higher in the group vaccinated with Verorab½. At day 42, no differences were observed. At day 365, all subjects vaccinated with Verorab½ and 50 percent of individuals vaccinated with CRL had protective antibody titers (p <0,05). Conclusions: The vaccine produced in cell breeds (Verorab½) produces a better an faster immunologic response compared to the CRL vaccine (Rev Méd Chile 2004; 132: 41-6).