Comparative study of methods for controlling the immunogenicity of rabies vaccines

: The need for a quantitative evaluation of the immunologic activity of rabies vaccines led to the carrying out of comparative investigations of various methods for controlling their immunogenicity. Three methods were tested: the Bulgarian method with the use of rabbits, which did not make it possible to evaluate the amount of immunogenic power; the Soviet method, which is based on the survival rate of immunized little mice after challenge; and the Habel test, which is based on the principle of immunity challenge and with which the amount of protection is evaluated through comparing the LD50 value of the vaccinated mice with the same value of the control animals. Most appropriate proved to be the Habel test, which was shown to be readily applicable, accessible, and with the use of animals of low price (albino mice) and least time-consuming in the quantitative evaluation rabies vaccine immunogenicity.