Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rabies antibody levels in vaccinated domestic and stray dogs in Sri
By Pimburage, R M S et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2017·Ministry of Health·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Sero-prevalence of virus neutralizing antibodies for rabies in different groups of dogs following vaccination.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that a single rabies vaccination is not enough to keep dogs protected for a full year. In particular, 40% of stray dogs and over 57% of young dogs (3 months to 1 year old) did not have sufficient immunity after just one shot. The research suggests that giving more than one vaccine dose can help maintain higher levels of protection against rabies. It’s important for dog owners to ensure their pets receive regular vaccinations to keep them safe from this serious disease.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mass vaccination of dogs is considered fundamental for national rabies control programmes in Sri Lanka, as dog is the main reservoir and transmitter of the disease. METHODS: Dogs were followed to determine the sero-prevalence of antibodies to the rabies virus. Altogether 510 previously vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs with owners (domestic dogs) and dogs without owners (stray dogs) of the local guard dog breed in different age groups recruited from Kalutara District, Sri Lanka. The dogs were vaccinated with a monovalent inactivated vaccine intramuscularly and serum antibody titres on days 0, 30, 180 and 360 were determined by the Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT). RESULTS: The results indicated, a single dose of anti-rabies vaccination fails to generate a protective level of immunity (0.5 IU/ml) which lasts until 1 year in 40.42% of dogs without owners and 57.14% of previously unvaccinated juvenile (age: 3 months to 1 year) dogs with owners. More than one vaccination would help to maintain antibody titres above the protective level in the majority of dogs. The pattern of antibody titre development in annually vaccinated and irregularly vaccinated (not annual) adult dogs with owners is closely similar irrespective of regularity in vaccination. Previously vaccinated animals have higher (2 IU/ml) antibody titres to begin with and have a higher antibody titre on day 360 too. They show a very good antibody titre by day 180. Unvaccinated animals start with low antibody titre and return to low titres by day 360, but have a satisfactory antibody titre by day 180. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of anti-rabies vaccination is not sufficient for the maintenance of antibody titres for a period of 1 year in puppies, juvenile dogs with owners and in dogs without owners. Maternal antibodies do not provide adequate protection to puppies of previously vaccinated dams and puppies of previously unvaccinated dams. Immunity development after vaccination seems to be closely similar in both the groups of puppies.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28521804/