Plurality of diagnostic and prophylactic antibodies to rabies virus - A boon...! Kavitha G.1, Isloor S.2,* 1Department of Biological Production, Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, KVAFSU, Bengaluru-560024, Karnataka, India 2KVAFSU-CVA Rabies Diagnostic Laboratory WOAH (Founded as OIE) Reference Laboratory for Rabies, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Veterinary College, Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), Bengaluru-560024, Karnataka, India *Corresponding author E-mail id: kisloor@gmail.com
Online published on 29 August, 2023. Abstract Rabies is an overwhelmingly fatal disease, with only a few documented survivors. Laboratory-based confirmatory diagnosis of rabies constitutes the most important component of rabies surveillance and control programs. The presently available well-standardized and validated tests are reliable, but because of the high cost (DFA) and commercial nonavailability (dRIT), these tests are restricted only to a few regional or state-level laboratories. The rabies virus nucleoprotein is the most important protein used in the production of a specific monoclonal antibody (IgG) based diagnostics. However, the generation of MAb is expensive, time-honored, and relies on the expertise of hybridoma technology. Considering these limitations, the production of IgY-based polyclonal antibodies in birds has been reported to be cost-effective and simple with great potential to advance rabies virus diagnosis, research, and the use of biologicals, with the possibility of in-house production in developing countries. Conventional RIGs are polyclonal in nature. Due to the difficulty in obtaining immune donors and possible contamination with blood-borne adventitious agents, the production of MAb-based RIGs (against the glycoprotein of rabies virus) has become popular and cost-effective. Recombinant antibodies are still better than the hybridoma antibodies. This review provides a brief overview of various approaches in the development of different types of antibodies against rabies virus that are being used for epidemiological investigation, diagnosis, and treatment of rabies. Top Keywords Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) IgY, Monoclonal antibody, Recombinant antibodies, Nanobodies. Top |