Rhesus diploid rabies vaccine (adsorbed), a new rabies vaccine. II. Results of clinical studies simulating prophylactic therapy for rabies exposure.

Rhesus diploid-cell-strain rabies vaccine (RDRV) (adsorbed) is a new rabies vaccine intended for use in man. Sixty volunteers were given five doses of RDRV at 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days to simulate prophylactic treatment of persons exposed to a rabid animal. Thirty-five volunteers were given commercial high-titer rabies immune globulin, 20 IU/kg, before the first dose of RDRV, and 25 were given RDRV without prior rabies immune globulin. Antibody responses at 14, 28, and 42 days were comparable with those reported with human diploid rabies vaccine. Simulated postexposure prophylactic treatment with RDRV was associated with acceptable levels of local and constitutional symptoms.