A mouse model for post-exposure rabies prophylaxis: the comparative efficacy of two vaccines and of antiserum administration.

Mice challenged with rabies virus were vaccinated 24 h later with one of two types of rabies vaccine. Vaccine prepared from a BHK cell substrate resulted in the production of serum interferon and neutralizing antibody, whereas vaccine prepared from a human diploid cell substrate gave rise to neutralizing antibody but no interferon. Only the first vaccine was effective in reducing mortality. Various combinations of mouse hyperimmune antiserum, purified igG, complement and RNase were administered to other groups of mice challenged with rabies, but these had no significant effect on their survival.