A study on the seroconversion in dogs vaccinated with cell culture rabies vaccine.

ABSTRACT

Seroconversion studies were conducted in dogs vaccinated with rabies vaccine, of different age group, sex and breed, with a single and booster doses of cell culture Rabies vaccine. The results of the present study revealed that (i) Maternal antibodies were detected in 40% to 80% of 60 selected pet dogs. However 20% to 60% of the pet dogs did not have protective levels of antibody (<0.5IU). (ii) A single dose of vaccine resulted in appreciable levels of protective antibody in 100% of pet dogs both in seronegetive and in dogs with low levels of antibody. (iii) When a booster dose was administered at twelve months period, considerable levels of antibody persisted upto twenty-four months. It can be concluded from the present study that a single dose of potent tissue culture vaccine resulted protective levels of antibody in the seronegetive dogs (<0.5IU). In an Rabies endemic country like INDIA, annual booster dose of vaccine would enhance the immune response and help in the persistence of protective levels of antibody in the immunized dogs.