We investigated the humoral (antigen-specific immunoglobulin isotypes, IgG subclasses, and avidity maturation) and cellular (antigen-specific in vitro proliferation) immune response in 18 healthy adult volunteers, following a primary and a single booster vaccination with the T-cell dependent neoantigen rabies administered at a 3-months interval. The IgG antibody titer showed a mean 31-fold increase (range 3-154) 4 weeks after the first vaccination and a memory response was observed after booster vaccination, i.e. high IgG titers, switch from IgM to IgG and IgA and increased antibody avidity. All healthy adults showed a rabies-induced proliferative response with a mean stimulation index of 45 (range 3.5-200) after in vitro stimulation of PBMC obtained at 4 weeks after booster vaccination. The results obtained in this study provide a frame of reference for the interpretation of specific immune responses to the T-cell dependent neoantigen rabies in patients suspected of a primary or secondary immunodeficiency. Humoral and cellular immune responses to the rabies neoantigen provide complementary information on the condition of the immune system of an individual. Five patients diagnosed with a combined immunodeficiency were vaccinated using the same protocol and showed a number of abnormalities, either in the humoral or the cellular immune response to the rabies neoantigen.

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doi.org/10.1023/B:JOCI.0000010429.36461.6b, hdl.handle.net/1765/61296
Journal of Clinical Immunology
Department of Virology

Brinkman, D. M. C., Jol-van der Zijde, C. M., ten Dam, M., Vossen, J., Osterhaus, A., Kroon, F., & van Tol, M. J. (2003). Vaccination with Rabies to Study the Humoral and Cellular Immune Response to a T-Cell Dependent Neoantigen in Man. Journal of Clinical Immunology, 23(6), 528–538. doi:10.1023/B:JOCI.0000010429.36461.6b