[Effect of the interferon inducer double-stranded RNA on the development of vaccinal antirabies immunity].

Experimental mice treated with an interferon inducer (double-stranded RNA) and vaccine, vaccine alone, and gamma-globulin plus vaccine were used to study the time course of development of immunity to rabies by intramuscular and intracerebral challenge with street rabies virus. Combined use of the interferon inducer and specific vaccine was shown to produce an earlier and more intensive immunity than vaccine alone or gamma-globulin and vaccine, and also a more marked humoral immune response. It is concluded that the new method for prevention of hydrophobia is effective and promising, particularly in cases of severe bites with a short incubation period.