Rabies virus vaccine (inactivated) (RVV)

The host adaptive immune system's response to inactivated rabies virus antigens is the fundamental mechanism of rabies vaccination (StatPearls, 2023). Inactivated rabies vaccines contain killed virus particles, primarily focusing on the rabies virus glycoprotein (G protein), which is the key surface antigen (WHO, 2023). When administered, these antigens are captured by professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), such as dendritic cells, and presented to T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes (CDC, 2022). This interaction triggers the expansion of memory cells and the secretion of neutralizing antibodies that can bind to and neutralize live rabies virus before it enters the central nervous system (PubMed, 2021). This immunological process is essential for both pre-exposure prophylaxis in high-risk individuals and post-exposure prophylaxis following potential virus exposure. The efficacy of this process is typically measured by the presence of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (RVNA) in the serum (NIH, 2023).

Other names

Inactivated rabies virusRabies vaccineRabies virus antigenRabies virus glycoprotein

Induction of active immunity by stimulating the production of rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies (RVNA) and activating T-cell mediated responses through the presentation of viral antigens by MHC molecules (StatPearls, 2023).