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>> The global fight to prevent deaths from rabies has received an important contribution
from the Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory. The lab has developed and validated two assays
that will be used to help approve a new rabies treatment, building on the lab’s reputation
in the field of rabies vaccine production.
>> SUSAN MOORE: We have been doing this for over 20 years and . . . . We’ve been involved
in the approval of rabies vaccines and biologics throughout the years, so the vaccine that
people get, you know, new vet students or people being treated, probably has been approved
partly based on our work.
>> The rabies laboratory designed the assays for a major pharmaceutical company that has
developed a new product for rabies treatment. The lab followed national and international
validation guidelines and conducted experiments to prove the accuracy and precision of the
new assays. This new product was designed to provide a more accessible and affordable
option to treat rabies worldwide.
>> SUSAN MOORE: Rabies immune globulin is a product that is in continual shortage throughout
the world. In developed countries, like the United States, we are lucky enough to be able
to afford this product, but in developing countries, they cannot afford this. This product
is a new product that is not produced from human donors or horse donors like the current
products are. It’s produced in cells. . . . and it’s a product that will be in constant
supply. It will be cheaper and it will be safer because it is not collected from humans
or horses.
>> Providing validation services is just one part of the lab’s activities aimed to prevent
rabies exposure.
>> SUSAN MOORE: The Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory is one of the highest volume
rabies serology laboratories in the world. We test upwards of 80,000 samples a year and
we continue to grow. We test serum samples from people who are rabies immunized and have
occupations that put them at risk of rabies exposure. These people need to have their
titers checked every two years to make sure they’re continuously immunized against rabies.
>> The lab also provides serology testing for animals traveling overseas to rabies-free
areas and diagnostic testing for both Kansas and Nebraska, as well as maintaining collaborations
with every major human and animal pharmaceutical company.
>> SUSAN MOORE: We’ve worked hard over the years to provide testing to the standards
that are required by these pharmaceutical companies and that adds to our repertoire
and our reputation. So when we develop new assays it shows that we are that type of laboratory
and that other clients can come to us and provide that service. In addition, we are
actually helping the world for rabies prevention and rabies treatment which is very important.
We’re enhancing the ability to treat people and prevent rabies deaths.
>> To learn more about the services provided by the Rabies Lab, visit the Kansas State
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Website.