Safety and Immunogenicity of a Recombinant Rabies Virus Strain (ERAG3G) in Korean Raccoon Dogs

A new alternative rabies bait vaccine strain named ERAG3G, which is applicable to wild animals, was developed toeliminate rabies in South Korea. In this study, the safety and immunogenicity of the strain was evaluated in Korean raccoondogs. The ERAG3G was propagated in BHK/T7-9 cells. Korean raccoon dogs were administered ERAG3G (1 ml, 108.0FAID50/ml) orally or intramuscularly to evaluate its safety and immunogenicity. The raccoon dogs were observed for 70days after administration, and immunogenicity was measured using a fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test. TheERAG3G strain was not pathogenic to Korean raccoon dogs immunized via the intramuscular or oral route. Raccoondogs administered the candidate vaccine via the oral route developed high virus neutralizing antibody (VNA) titersranging from 13.7 to 41.6 IU/ ml 70 days post administration. Raccoon dogs inoculated intramuscularly with theERAG3G strain developed moderate VNA titers ranging from 0.5 to 13.7 IU/ ml. These findings suggest that theERAG3G strain is safe and induces a protective immune response in raccoon dogs. KCI Citation Count: 0