title: Adverse events following rabies post-exposure prophylaxis: a comparative study of two different schedules and two vaccines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Due to lack of effective treatment for rabies, post-exposure prophylaxis becomes very important. In this study, we investigated side effects developed in patients following administration of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1685 patients were vaccinated. 265 patients (15.7%) administered the Essen regimen with equine rabies immunoglobulin and 1420 patients (84.2%) administered Zagreb regimen. 761 (45.2%) patients were vaccinated with a verocell vaccine; Verorab and 924 patients (54.8%) were vaccinated with Abhayrab.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All side effects were higher in female patients than those of males. The patients with chronic illness also had significantly, increased side effects; headache (12.4%), pain at site of administration (11.3%), and arthralgia (10.5%) compared to the patients without chronic illness. We grouped the patients in three as; 0-15 years, 15-60 years, and 60 years and above. In the first group; fever (21.2%), vomiting (2.4%) and coughing (2.1%); in the second group (15-60 years), headache (8.8%), arthralgia (6.7%) were significantly increased compared to the other groups. Side effects are significantly higher with schema of 2-1-1 and Abhayrab trade mark vaccine, particularly following the first doses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Second generation rabies vaccines are safe, effective and cheaper than HDCV. When fatality of rabies disease is considered, occurring side effects can be tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: drtugba82@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tugba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sari
authors.affiliation: Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: ntulek@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Necla
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tulek
authors.affiliation: Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: cmlbulut@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Cemal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bulut
authors.affiliation: Guven Hospital, Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: behicoral@yahoo.com.tr.
authors.forename: Behic
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oral
authors.affiliation: Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: tuncergunay@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Gunay
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tuncer Ertem
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056990:Post-Exposure Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods; D011818:Rabies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011819:Rabies Vaccines
keywords: Post-exposure prophylaxis; Rabies; Rabies immunoglobulin; Rabies vaccines; Side effects