reliminary positive results. Rabies is not only a public health problem that causes more than 60,000 human deaths per year worldwide but also caused a tremendous economic burden. In the United States alone, more than $1 billion are spent annually for control, treatment and prevention of rabies."
Using "bioreactor technology," a sophisticated cell culture system, scientists at MTTI produced large amounts of vaccine easily and inexpensively a key, says Dr. Dietzschold, to mass production.
One of the problems with current vaccines is that fact that several varieties are used, depending on the particular species of animal. Jefferson and MTTI scientists hope their vaccine will prove useful for rabies prevention in several species. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta currently is testing the effectiveness of the vaccine in raccoons, dogs, skunks and mongoose over the next six months.
The next step, Dr. Dietzschold says, is field trials of the vaccine. In such trials, animals would be given food baits with vaccine, then later captured and tested for rabies antibodies. He notes that some 70 percent of an animal population in an area needs to have sufficient antibodies to control the spread of the disease.
As scientists continue to better understand the specific ways the vaccine confers immunity, it will be possible to improve the vaccine's potency, obtaining immunity with a minimal dose, he says.
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8-Dec-2004
Page: 1 2 Related medicine news :1.
Jefferson Lab medical imager spots breast cancer2.
Jefferson scientists uncover potential trigger of diabetic kidney disease3.
Uric acid may help reduce effects of spinal cord injury, Jefferson researchers find4.
Jefferson scientists help explain statins effects in Alzheimers disease5.
Jefferson scientists find zinc may help prevent esophageal, oral cancers6.
Jefferson virologists coax HIV out of hiding7.
Jefferson scientists find way to see breast cancer activity from outside the body8.
Jefferson scientists use gene therapy to rescue failing hearts in animals9.
Jefferson scientists reveal how some types of rabies invade the brain10.
Jefferson neuroscientists studying new type of Alzheimers drug to halt disease progression11.
Jefferson scientists uncover new evidence to help explain statins effects in Alzheimers disease