African Green Monkey Embryonic Stem Cell - a Better Host of Rabies Vaccine

Abstract

Rabies, an invariably fatal viral disease is transmitted to humans through animal bites, most commonly dogs. The disease is preventable through timely pre-and post-exposure vaccination. However, once the disease occurs, death is inevitable. More than 1.4 billion people are at potential risk of rabies infection in the South-East Asia (SEA) Region, each year around 24 000 people die in the SEA Region due to rabies which accounts for approximately 45% due to rabies worldwide. Vaccines against rabies virus are currently produced in vero cells, chick embryo, duck embryo and human diploid cell lines which are not meeting the demand for rabies vaccines increasing every year. This review portrays the potential and importance of embryonic stem cells as promising host for the production of rabies vaccines. The advantages of using stem cells and its characters have been reviewed with significant references.