• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.97-106
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• 2023

Purpose: Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease with proper pre-exposure anti-rabies vaccination (ARV). Dogs, as household pets and strays, are the reservoir and vector of the disease, and dog bites have been associated with human rabies cases in Sri Lanka over the past few years. However, other susceptible species having frequent contact with humans may be a source of infection. One such species is sheep and immunity following ARV has never been tested in sheep reared in Sri Lanka. Materials and Methods: We have tested serum samples from sheep reared in the Animal Centre, Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka for the presence of anti-rabies antibodies following ARV. Sheep serum samples were tested with Bio-Pro Rabies enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibody kits used for the first time in Sri Lanka and our results were verified by a seroneutralization method on cells (fluorescent antibody virus neutralization, FAVN test) currently recommended by World Organization for Animal Health and World Health Organization. Results: Sheep received annual ARV and maintained high neutralizing antibody titers in their serum. No maternal antibodies were detected in lamb around 6 months of age. Agreement between the ELISA and FAVN test, i.e., coefficient concordance was 83.87%. Conclusion: Annual vaccination in sheep has an effect on maintaining adequate protection against rabies by measurements of anti-rabies antibody response. Lambs need to be vaccinated earlier than 6 months of age to achieve protective levels of neutralizing antibodies in their serum. Introducing this ELISA in Sri Lanka will be a good opportunity to determine the level of anti-rabies antibodies in animal serum samples.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.335-343
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• 2004

Although human rabies deaths are rare, the disease remains a public health problem in Korea. Here we report the outbreaks and surveillance of animal rabies in Gangwon-do. Animal rabies infections were identified in 119 animals from 1993 to 2003. The $78\%$ of all rabid animals were domestic species in Gangwon-do. Wild Korean raccoon dog (N. p. koreensis) continued to be the only reported rabid wildlife species. Outbreaks of rabies infections in Korean raccoon dogs are found in broad geographic regions across the northern Gangwon-do. The principal rabies hosts today are probably wild animals in Gangwon-do. The malaise, cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, agitation and abnormal behavior of the animals were the important symptoms of the disease. The Encephalitis, infiltration with lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the inclusion bodies (Negri bodies) in neuronal cells were the specific histopathological signs. The results of indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA) for animal rabies diagnosis were identical and the technique was useful to diagnose the disease. Preexposure vaccination is recommended for persons in high-risk groups, such as laboratory workers, veterinarians and certain animal handlers.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.288-293
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• 2023

A 11-year-old neutered male Maltese dog was vaccinated with a rabies vaccine (Rabisin^®, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Germany) subcutaneously at a local animal hospital. One hour after vaccination, purpura with edema was observed at the injection site and severe thrombocytopenia (0 K/μL) was noted on a complete blood count (CBC). No specific findings were found in serum chemistry, electrolyte, blood gas analysis, and coagulation tests. The patient was hospitalized and administered antihemorrhagic agents (vitamin K, desmopressin), antihistamines (chlorpheniramine) and corticosteroids (methylprednisolone sodium succinate). On a repeat CBC, mild anemia had developed, thrombocytopenia was still noted, and autoagglutination was observed on a saline agglutination test (SAT). A polymerase chain reaction panel for infectious agents (e.g., Babesia spp.) was negative. The diagnosis was secondary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) associated with vaccination. Therefore, the immunosuppressants (prednisolone, and mycophenolate mofetil) were administered. Six days after drug administration, new lesion was not observed, and the previous lesions were significantly improved. It gradually improved and 4 weeks after hematocrit and platelet recovered to normal levels. It was maintained for 6 months without recurrence of related symptoms. Based on patient's history and test results, the patient was diagnosed with Evans' syndrome associated with rabies vaccine.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.32-46
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• 2023

Purpose: The present study aimed to compare the immune-enhancing potential of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to Alum against rabies vaccine and the related immunological, physiological, and histopathological effects. Materials and Methods: Alum and AuNPs sole and in combination with rabies vaccine were used at 0.35 mg/mL and 40 nM/mL, respectively. Rats used were categorized into six groups (20/each): control rats, rabies vaccine, aluminum phosphate gel, rabies vaccine adsorbed to Alum, AuNPs, and rabies vaccine adjuvant AuNPs. Results: Liver and kidney functions were in the normal range after AuNPs and Alum adjuvanted vaccine compared to control. Interleukin-6 and interferon-γ levels were significantly increased in groups immunized with Alum and AuNPs adjuvanted vaccine, the peak level was in the case of AuNP adjuvanted vaccine on the 14th day. Ninety days post-vaccination, total immunoglobulin G (IgG) against adjuvanted rabies vaccine showed a significantly elevated antirabies IgG with AuNPs and Alum adsorbed vaccine compared with unadjuvanted one. The total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly increased post-adjuvanted AuNPs adjuvanted vaccine vaccination than in Alum adsorbed vaccine, while MDA was significantly decreased. The histopathological examination revealed detectable alterations post-AuNPs and Alum adjuvanted vaccine immunization compared with liver and kidney profiles post-administration of unadjuvanted and non-immunized groups, meanwhile, splenic tissue revealed hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles indicating increased immune reactivity. Conclusion: The AuNPs are promising enhancers of the immune response as Alum, and the undesirable effects of AuNPs could be managed by using suitable sizes, shapes, and concentrations.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2013

Purpose : This study aims to investigate preexposure prophylaxis and postexposure prophylaxis of rabies that the National Medical Center (NMC) handled and to check whether appropriate measures were performed according to the recent domestic and overseas guidelines after animal bites. Methods : This study surveyed 41 people who were 18 years or under and received preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis of rabies at the NMC from November 2006 to December 2011. Their medical records were reviewed for their age, gender, the reason for preexposure prophylaxis, the body sites of animal bite, the kind of the animal that bit children, the region where the biting occurred and rabies vaccination and inoculation of immunoglobulin. Results : Eleven children took rabies vaccination for preexposure prophylaxis and 30 children received post exposure prophylaxis of rabies. Of patients who were bitten by unvaccinated animals including wild animals or by animals which were not certain to be vaccinated, 50% (13 of 26 children) received postexposure prophylaxis, while 75% (3 of 4 children) of patients who were bitten by vaccinated animals received postexposure prophylaxis of rabies. Ten of 30 bitten patients knew whether or not the biting animals had received rabies vaccination. Of them, four people (40%) were bitten by animals which had received rabies vaccination. Conclusion : To prevent the occurrence of rabies, people and health care providers need to correctly understand latest guideline for rabies preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis and the information for bitten patient, biting animal and area at bitten by animal should be accurately recorded.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.297-301
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• 2011

Rabies virus is transmitted most commonly through a bite from an infected dog. Especially, stray dogs that are not excluded from contact with rabid wild animals can become rabies vectors. Therefore, serological survey of rabies virus from stray dogs in Seoul Metropolitan City was carried out in this study. To investigate prevalence of rabies antibodies in the stray dogs, serum samples were taken from 500 stray dogs between April and December 2010. Antibodies to rabies virus were detected by indirect ELISA. Of 500 tested sera, 147 (29.4%) were positive to rabies virus. Prevalence rates of rabies antibodies(PRRA) in northern and southern Han river region of Seoul were 26.4% and 33.2% respectively. PRRA in male and female dogs were 33.6% and 26.1% respectively. PRRA in less than 1 year, 1~2< years, 2~3< years, 3~5< years, 5~10< years and over 10 years old dogs were 12.7%, 21.6%, 26.4%, 36.4%, 32.5% and 46.4%, respectively. These results indicates that antibody seroprevalence to rabies is still not enough to prevent rabies and rabies vaccination is required to enhance the seroprevalence in the dogs. To improve the situation, measures to raise public awareness of rabies and its prevention is needed. Also, reducing stray dogs and keeping companion animals from contact with wild animals are indispensable for the prevention of rabies.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2002

Recently, the rabies cases have been reported in Paju- and Yangju-gun, Gyeonggj province near Seoul metropolitan area. The Pukhansan national park, nearly located from the cities, is suspected to be a high risk area for incidence and spread of the rabies to metropolitan area. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence rate for rabies antibody of dogs near the Pukhansan national park and in some other districts in Seoul metropolitan city. From march to october 2001, a total of 306 serum samples were taken from dogs for breeding(189) md pet dogs(117) in 4 districts near the Pukhansan national park and other districts of Seoul. Rabies virus antibodies in sera were detected by neutralizing peroxidase - linked as say (NPLA). Of the 306 sera of dogs tested, 74 (24.2%) were positive to rabies virus antibody. The prevalence rates of rabies antibody in Pukhansan national park area and in the other districts of Seoul city were 23.7% and 25.3%, respectively There was no significant difference in the prevalence rate between these two districts. The prevalence rates of rabies antibody in pet dogs and dogs for breeding were 40.2% and 14.3% respectively. The prevalence rates of rabies antibodies in less than 1 year, 1∼<2 years, 2∼<3 years, and over 3 years old dogs were 14.5%, 22.4%, 32.6%, and 27.1%, respectively, and overall 24.2% in the dog population. In addition, we found that dogs less than 1 year old had lower antibody prevalence than those over 1 year old. It was concluded that enhancement of vaccination is important in the prevention of the rabies, and that rabies vaccines should not be less supplied than the population of the dog.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 2010

Rabies virus (family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus, RV) is the causative agent of rabies in mammals. We conducted a sero-epidemiological survey for RV using sera from South Korean stray and companion dogs in the present study. A total of 533 canine serum samples were collected between February 2006 and December 2007 and were screened for rabies immunity with a neutralizing peroxidase linked assay. Both companion (49.1%) and stray (60.1%) dogs demonstrated RV seropositivity. Regional RV antibody prevalence was measured in the Jeju (87.5%), Gyeonggi (62%), Gyeongsang (59.1%), Jeonra (42%), Chungcheong (37.9%), and Gangwon (30.4%) provinces. Prevalence increased with age but did not exceed 80% in any age group. Stray and companion dogs had RV antibody prevalence values of 26.7% and 23.7%, respectively. Seroprevalence was significantly associated with age $({\chi}2\;=\;9.46;\;p\;=\;0.024)$ for companion dogs, although this association was not evident in stray dogs. There were no significant differences in age between stray and companion dogs and no gender differences in RV seroprevalence. Our results suggested that a widespread and reinforced vaccination program must be applied to Korean dogs.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.13.1-13.6
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• 2023

Animals imported from abroad are a cause of rabies outbreaks in many countries. Therefore, rabies serology testing for dogs and cats traveling abroad is an important measure to reduce the incidence of rabies. Rabies virus antibodies were measured in sera collected from 2,367 dogs and 894 cats between 2017 and 2021. A serum sample with a value of 0.5 IU/mL or higher was considered a pass. The overall pass rates for rabies virus were 96.4% in dogs and 98.4% in cats. The mean rabies virus neutralization assay titers were higher in cats than in dogs and in female than in male animals. According to age, 6-year-old dogs and 9-year-old cats had the highest virus neutralization assay titers. Of the failure cases, 53.0% (53/100) were dogs or cats less than 1 year old. Although the average failure rates in dogs and cats were low at 3.5% and 1.6%, respectively, the factors influencing failure were age and vaccine manufacturer. Therefore, it is necessary to observe the vaccination interval and timing of blood collection after boosting.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence rate for rabies antibody (PRRA) of dogs near the Pukhansan National Park and in some other districts in Seoul Metropolitan city. From April to July 2000, a total of 414 serum samples were taken from dogs for breeding (92), pet dogs (162), and unclaimed/stray dogs (162). Rabies virus antibodies were detected by neutralizing peroxidase-linked assay (NPLA). Of 414 sera tested, 145 (35%) were positive to rabies virus antibody. PRRA in Pukhansan National Park area and in the other districts of Seoul city were 34.8% and 35.4%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence rate between these two districts. PRRA in pet dogs, unclaimed/stray dogs, and dogs for breeding were 39.5%, 35%, and 27.2% respectively. PRRA in dogs from residential areas, apartments, animal hospitals, and farms were 32.5%, 60%, 35.3%, and 26.7% respectively. Especially, the dogs reared in apartments had a significantly higher seroprevalence (60%) than those in residential or farm areas. PRRA in less than 1 year, 1~<2 years, 2~<3 years, and over 3 years old dogs were 14.7%, 40.4%, 38.4%, and 53% respectively, and overall 35% in the dog population. In addition, we found that dogs less than 1 year of age had lower antibody prevalence than those over 1 year of age. It was concluded that enhancement of vaccination is important in the prevention of the rabies, and that rabies vaccines should not be less supplied than the population of the dog.