Anti rabies vaccine is prepared from-
**Question:** Anti rabies vaccine is prepared from-
A. Rabies lysate
B. Rabies virus
C. Rabies virus-infected cells
D. Rabies virus-infected animal organs
**Core Concept:**
Rabies is a viral infection caused by the Rabies virus (RV), a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Lyssavirus genus within the family Rhabdoviridae. The virus primarily affects the central nervous system and is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly dogs and bats.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
The correct answer is **C. Rabies virus-infected cells**. Rabies virus is inactivated and broken down into small pieces (antigen) to stimulate the immune system. These antigens are derived from the infected cells, which can recognize and mount an immune response against the actual virus. Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) like dendritic cells and macrophages capture and process the antigens, then display them on their surface for T-cells to recognize. This activates the adaptive immune response, involving B-cells producing antibodies and T-cells eliminating infected cells.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Rabies lysate (Rabies virus particles) is incorrect because lysate typically contains crude extracts of infected cells or tissues, which might include various components like proteins, nucleic acids, and cellular debris. In the context of vaccines, lysate often contains a mix of antigens that may not be as effective as using specific viral components.
B. Rabies virus itself is not suitable for vaccination as it is highly pathogenic and lethal. Inactivated or attenuated forms of the virus are used for vaccination.
D. Rabies virus-infected animal organs (e.g., brain tissue) is incorrect because using infected organs would contain a mix of viral proteins and cellular components, which might not be as specific and effective as using infected cells. Additionally, using whole organs could potentially trigger harmful autoimmune responses or other adverse reactions.
**Clinical Pearls:**
1. Vaccination against rabies involves the use of inactivated or attenuated forms of the virus, ensuring safety for the recipient.
2. Cell-based vaccines, like the one for rabies, are more specific and potent than crude lysates or whole virus preparations, leading to better immune responses and reduced adverse reactions.
3. Always ensure that the vaccine is prepared from a well-characterized source (e.g., Vero cells) and meets strict safety criteria before administration to patients.
4. Inactivated vaccines like the one for rabies are generally safer and more effective than live attenuated vaccines.