[Attempts at postexposure active and passive human rabies immunization].

For several years now in Switzerland, postexposure prophylaxis against rabies has been performed with duck embryo vaccine containing inactivated virus. According to WHO recommendations, 14 consecutive daily injections are given subcutaneously followed by 3 booster injections 10, 20, and 90 days later. In addition, a recently developed human diploid cell vaccine has also become commercially available in Switzerland. This study is concerned with the question whether, by the use of the latter vaccine, sufficient antibody titres can be achieved with a smaller number of injections given at longer intervals. Furthermore, the question was studied whether simultaneous administration of homologous human hyperimmune gamma-globulin together with the first vaccination dose inhibits antibody production. "Vaccin rabique inactivé Mérieux", cultivated on human diploid cells, was injected on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 90. A group of 10 healthy volunteers received active vaccination only, while another group of 10 volunteers received Rabuman Berna, 20 U/kg, in addition. Antibody titrations were done by means of a neutralization test on monolayer cell cultures. On day 14, antibody titers of at least 1:100 (corresponding to more than 3 IU/ml) were found in both groups. There was no indication of significant inhibition of antibody production as a consequence of the combined active/passive vaccination.