In-Vitro Inactivation of Sabin-Polioviruses for Development of Safe and Effective Polio Vaccine.

After years of global collaboration; we are steps away from a polio-free world. However, the currently conventional inactivated polio vaccine (cIPV) is suboptimal for the post eradication era. cIPV production cost and biosafety hazards hinder its availability and coverage of the global demands. Production of IPV from the attenuated Sabin strains (sIPV) was an ideal solution and scientists work extensively to perfect a safe, effective and affordable sIPV. This study investigated the ability of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), ascorbic acid (AA) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as alternatives for Formaldehyde (HCHO) to inactivate Sabin-polioviruses strains for sIPV production. Sabin-polioviruses vaccine strains were individually treated with AA, EGCG or H2O2 and were compared to HCHO. This was investigated by determination of the inactivation kinetics on HEP2C cells, testing of D-antigen preservation by ELISA and the immune response in Wistar rats of the four vaccine preparations. H2O2, AA and EGCG were able to inactivate polioviruses within 24 h while HCHO required 96 h. Significant high D-antigen levels were observed using AA, EGCG and H2O2 compared to HCHO. Rat sera tested for neutralizing antibodies showed comparable results. These findings support the idea of using these inactivating agents as safe and time- saving alternatives for HCHO to produce sIPV.

Inactivation of rabies virus by hydrogen peroxide.

Development of safe and protective vaccines against infectious pathogens remains a challenge. Inactivation of rabies virus is a critical step in the production of vaccines and other research reagents. Beta-propiolactone (ßPL); the currently used inactivating agent for rabies virus is expensive and proved to be carcinogenic in animals. This study aimed to investigate the ability of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to irreversibly inactivate rabies virus without affecting its antigenicity and immunogenicity in pursuit of finding safe, effective and inexpensive alternative inactivating agents. H2O2 3% rapidly inactivated a Vero cell adapted fixed rabies virus strain designated as FRV/K within 2h of exposure without affecting its antigenicity or immunogenicity. No residual infectious virus was detected and the H2O2-inactivated vaccine proved to be safe and effective when compared with the same virus harvest inactivated with the classical inactivating agent ßPL. Mice immunized with H2O2-inactivated rabies virus produced sufficient level of antibodies and were protected when challenged with lethal CVS virus. These findings reinforce the idea that H2O2 can replace ßPL as inactivating agent for rabies virus to reduce time and cost of inactivation process.