Neutralizing antibodies to rabies following injection of rabies immune globulin into gluteal fat or deltoid muscle.
BACKGROUND
This experiment was carried out to determine whether there is any difference in circulating rabies antibody when rabies immune globulin is administered into fat or muscle tissue.


METHODS
Blood samples were taken at 24 and 48 hours after administering 40 IU/kg body weight of purified equine rabies immune globulin (ERIG) into deltoid muscle, or fatty gluteal tissue of grossly obese subjects.


RESULTS
Both groups revealed barely detectable antibody levels.


CONCLUSIONS
No conclusion was possible concerning the absorption kinetics of immune globulin from fat or muscle. However, it was evident that circulating antibody levels, using the recommended 40 IU/kg dose of ERIG, were extremely low and probably less than the required protective level at the possible bite site. This study supports current recommendations for local infiltration of virus inoculation sites with human or equine rabies immune globulin.
Chomchay
P
P
Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand.
Khawplod
P
P
Wilde
H
H
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001132:Arm; D001733:Bites and Stings; D002081:Buttocks; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007136:Immunoglobulins