Determination of immunogenicity and potency of canine anti-rabies vaccines marketed in Sri Lanka: A Proposal on an experimental study using rabbits as the animal model and field study using sample dog population.

Abstract

Anti-rabies vaccines (ARVs) with good immunogenic capacity play an important role in controlling the deadly zoonotic rabies in Sri Lanka. The ARVs currently marketed in the country have not been tested for their efficacy and potency at the local level before being released to the market. This article outlines the proposed project formulated to determine the efficacy and potency of these ARVs in generating immunity against rabies. The authors propose that this project will be articulated in three main categories. Part I will be the immunogenicity measurement using, New Zealand White rabbits as the animal model. Part II will be a field study with a sample dog population, including domestic and free-roaming dogs and Part III will be the potency testing of the ARVs using the mouse challenge test. Immunogenicity will be assessed by measuring the humoral immunity development following vaccination, using the methods of Florescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) and ELISA.  The project will be conducted in collaboration with WHO/WOAH Reference Laboratory for Rabies in Nancy, France, and Medical Research Institute, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka.