No abstract

RABIES VACCINATION FOR POLIOMYELITISTo the Editor:\p=m-\Considerablepublicity has been given recently in the lay press to the use of rabies vaccination for prophylaxis of poliomyelitis. Since rabies vaccine has the possible hazard of producing allergic encephalomyelitis in vaccinated persons, it should obviously be used only when there are proved indications. The following immunologic studies of the relationship between the poliomyelitis and rabies viruses were carried out in my laboratory.Groups of Swiss mice were vaccinated at weekly intervals with three intraperitoneal injections (0.5 cc.) of ultraviolet irradiated poliomyelitis or rabies vaccines. The irradiated poliomyelitis and rabies vaccines were completely inactivated and prepared as previously (J. Immunol. 50:317 and 331, 1945). On the 21st day after the first vaccination, the mice were given approximately 10 and 100 LD50 units of the Lansing strain of poliomyelitis virus or fixed rabies virus. In a series of three experiments involving over 200 mice, no evidence of cross immunity was found between the poliomyelitis and rabies viruses. In other experiments hyperimmune Lansing antiserum failed to neutralize the rabies virus and hyperimmune rabies antiserum did not neutralize the Lansing virus. On the other hand, in every experiment the vaccine or hyperimmune serum tested showed significant protection against homologous virus. These findings are contrary to recent reports in the lay press that rabies vac¬ cination may protect man against poliomyelitis.