Temperature stability of rabies neutralizing antibodies

Abstract

Rabies serology is most importantly done to evaluate immune response following vaccine administration in patients who have been exposed to rabies or are highly likely to be. When detecting antibodies after vaccination it is best to target rabies neutralizing antibodies specifically. Clinical laboratories performing this testing are required to uphold a strict set of standards laid out by federal and state guidelines. Sample integrity throughout the process of testing, from collection to results is of the utmost importance. Samples may experience a wide range of temperature variation depending on how each sample is shipped or handled by the submitter. In order to uphold quality clinical testing it is important to study the stability of rabies neutralizing antibodies across a wide range of temperatures.