Rabies Antibody Response After Booster Immunization: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. (17th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Langedijk, Annefleur C; De Pijper, Cornelis A; Spijker, Rene; Holman, Rebecca; Grobusch, Martin P; Stijnis, Cornelis
• Is Part Of: Clinical infectious diseases. Volume 67:Number 12(2018)
• Page Start: 1932
• Page End: 1947
• Publication Date: 2018-05-17
• Subjects: rabies -- vaccine -- booster -- antibodies -- systematic review and meta-analysis; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy420
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-4838

Abstract

Abstract : This systematic review on efficacy and longevity of the anamnestic rabies virus neutralizing (RVNA) response to revaccination after primary vaccination confirms that the RVNA response is long-lasting after primary vaccination, regardless of route of administration. Abstract: Although fatal once symptomatic, rabies is preventable by administration of pre- and post-exposure vaccines. International guidelines suggest lifelong protection by a pre-exposure vaccination scheme followed by timely post-exposure vaccines. Rapidity and magnitude of the antibody recall response after booster inoculation are essential, as many people have been previously immunized a long time ago. The objective of this study was therefore to systematically review the evidence on the boostability of rabies immunization to date. We included 36 studies, of which 19 studies were suitable for meta-analysis. Reduced antibody levels were found after intradermal primary schedules as compared to intramuscular schedules. However, responses after booster immunization were adequate for both routes. Although studies showed that antibody levels decline over time, adequate booster responses were still retained over long time intervals indicating that post-exposure treatment is effective without extra measures after long periods of time.