Use of monoclonal antibodies to confirm vaccine-induced rabies in ten dogs, two cats, and one fox

A panel of 8 monoclonal antibodies to rabies glycoprotein antigen was used to characterize the modified-live virus vaccines marketed in the United States during the last 10 years. Thirteen of 14 rabies virus isolates from 11 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 fox suspected of developing vaccine-induced rabies were shown to have reactivity patterns that were identical to the vaccine administered. Reactivity patterns for 20 rabies isolates from human beings, wild animals, or domestic animals with no history of recent vaccination with modified-live virus rabies vaccine were different from those obtained for vaccines.