Canine immune response to rabies vaccination

Abstract

Rabies is a viral infectious disease characterized by encephalitis, this leads the affected animals to death. The vaccination of dogs and cats is the most effective measure to reduce the number of human deaths due to this disease. In our country dog’s vaccination is done partially, this jeopardizes the protection of  all susceptible animals implying a potential risk to public health.The aims of this study were to determine the antibodies titles against rabies in 140 dogs with vaccination history and compare them to the protective levels established by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Out of the 140 samples tested, 50 (36%, 95% CI: 28 - 44%) had antibody titers above 0.5 IU/mL, indicating an acceptable level of protection according to the OIE. The remaining samples (64%) did not show titles with protection levels (greater than or equal to 0.5 IU/ mL). The results presented here, reveals the possible risk of infection in the studied dog population. More rigorous sanitary measures should be considered to achieve an acceptable immune status in this population.