[Evolution of human anti-rabies vaccines from Pasteur to the present].

Since the first immunization of man against rabies in 1885 by Louis Pasteur, antirabies vaccine has been continuously improved. Treatment failures, clinical infections by the fixed virus, neuroparalytic accidents in connection with myelin were progressively eliminated. Vaccines can be standardized and accurately controlled. After the original spinal cord, adult or newborn animals brains, embryonated eggs, primary tissue cultures, diploid and permanent cell lines have been used for the vaccine production. Today, safe and potent vaccines are available. New products might be developed from the technology of genetic recombinants.