[Analysis of human anti-rabies post exposure treatment in the great area of Sao Paulo, Brazil].
BACKGROUND
The treatment of human beings with risk of exposure to rabies virus infection still presents some cases of undesirable post treatment reactions. The knowledge resulting from the regular analysis of the epidemiological features associated with these practices would minimize the occurrence of these troubles.


METHODS
The records of the treatment of 8,758 human anti-rabies cases performed in Osasco City, S. Paulo, Brazil between 1984 and 1994 with Fuenzalida & Palacios vaccine and/or anti-rabies serum produced in equines were analysed by Epi Info program.


RESULTS
It was found that the higher risk of exposure was for male children of from five to nine years of age. The most frequent scene of aggression was the victim's own house. Dogs were responsible for most of the accidents (62.8%); the majority of dogs and cats involved had not been immunized against rabies (51.0% of dogs and 73.2% of cats). Most people aged nine or under were attacked in the head (36.6%), followed by the upper limbs (35.1%); above this age the part of the body most frequently hurt was the upper (45.8%) and lower limbs (43. 7%); 26.5% of patients had already been vaccinated against rabies at least once in their lifetime; 90.7% of them sought medical care within five days, anti-rabies treatment was prescribed for 41.9% of them.


CONCLUSIONS
Post vaccinal reactions were observed in 0.25% of the patients 0.3% of which were of neurological; 80.1% of the dogs and 58.4% of the cats involved coere kept under observation. The months of March, July, August and September presented the highest aggression rates.
Garcia
R C
RC
Divisão de Controle de Zoonoses, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Osasco, Osasco, SP, Brasil. rgarcia@plugnet.com.br
Vasconcellos
S A
SA
Sakamoto
S M
SM
Lopez
A C
AC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications; D001938:Brazil; D002415:Cats; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011817:Rabbits; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D051381:Rats; D018570:Risk Assessment
D011819:Rabies Vaccines