Zonal-centrifuged human diploid cell rabies vaccine.

In order to reduce the risk of allergic reactions, a purified human diploid cell culture rabies vaccine was developed. Pitman-Moore strain of rabies was propagated in WI-38 or MRC-5 cells. Both cell strains were found to be equally suitable for pro agation of rabies virus. The virus was purified and concentrated by continuous-flow sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation. Virus peak fractions were diluted with a stabilized and then inactivated with BPL and freeze-dried. According to the standard NIH test for potency, the vaccine proved to be very potent and stable. The results of initial clinical applications of the vaccine will be presented.