ANTIBODY TITERS IN ANIMAL BITE VICTIMS AFTER POST EXPOSURE VACCINATION WITH INTRADER-MALLY ADMINISTERED PURIFIED VERO CELL RABIES VACCINE USING MODIFIED THAI RED CROSS REGIMEN

Abstract

Abstract

Objective:  To determine the seroconversion follow-ing rabies vaccination by intradermal route in cases of animal bite attending Anti rabies center, Lahore for post exposure prophylaxis.

Study Design:  Cross sectional descriptive study.

Place and Duration:  Antirabies center, Birdwood road Lahore, Microbiology laboratory, office of Bac-teriologist, Government of Punjab, Lahore.

Patients and Methods:  Victims of all ages and both sexes having exposure with suspected rabid animal within 24 - 72 hours were included, fulfilling inclus-ion and exclusion criteria, over 3 months period from February to April 2011. Patients of Category II and III wounds were included. Purified vero cell vaccine (PVRV) with antigenic content > 2.5 ml was used for

Hafeez S.¹

Assistant Professor Pathology

Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore

Tahir Z.²

Professor of Microbiology

Institute of Public Health, Lahore

Nauman N.³

A.P.W.M.O.

Anti Rabies Centre, Institute of Public Health, Lahore

intradermal vaccination according to modified Thai Red Cross regimen (2-2-2-0-2). Each victim received 0.1 ml intradermal dose on each deltoid on day 0, 3, 7 and 28^th day of bite. Blood samples from victims were taken on day 0, 14 and 35. Antibody titers were esti-mated by ELISA kit.

Results:  Fifty cases were studied including 20 chil-dren. Male female ratio was 4:1. Optimum serocon-version (> 0.5 IU/ml) was achieved in all cases by day 14. Antibody levels increased further (> 4 IU/ml) in 92% cases on day 35. Geometric mean titers were 3.2 IU/ml and 6.2 IU/ml on day 14 and 35 respectively.

Conclusion:  Intradermal route for cell culture  rabies vaccine for postexposure prophylaxis in animal bite victims was efficacious and safe. The smaller dosage of vaccine was economically affordable by patients in referral centers.

Key words:  Rabies, intradermal vaccine, Thai Red Cross regime, Purified vero cell vaccine.