Studies on the stability, production and microencapsulation of a recombinant human adenovirus-rabies vaccine.

Abstract

The recombinant human adenovirus type 5 (rHAd5-RG1) tested in this study contains the rabies virus glycoprotein gene. This virus is being considered as a possible substitute for the attenuated rabies virus in the oral immunization of wildlife in Ontario. This study examined the stability of the virus indoors and outdoors, and tested technically simple ways of concentrating the virus and its microencapsulation. The findings of this study show that the recombinant virus has the potential for release into the environment and there is no evidence that the virus will rapidly decay under the outdoor conditions experienced during the fall season. The virus can probably be microencapsulated and packaged for oral delivery. However, more studies are needed to assess the actual immunizing potential of these microencapsules. The use of detergents for increasing the virus yield has potential. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)