Fatal cases in pediatric patients after post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies:A report of two cases  

作　　者：Hekmatollah Khoubfekr Mohammad Jokar Vahid Rahmanian Hasan Blouch Mohammad Reza Shirzadi Rouzbeh Bashar 

机构地区：[1]Department of Public Health,Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences,Iranshahr,Iran [2]Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,Karaj Branch,Islamic Azad University,Karaj,Iran [3]Department of Public Health,Torbat Jam Faculty of Medical Sciences,Torbat Jam,Iran [4]Center for Communicable Diseases Control,Ministry of Health and Medical Education,Tehran,Iran [5]WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Rabies,Virology Department,Pasteur Institute of Iran,Tehran,Iran

出　　处：《Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine》2024年第1期39-42,共4页亚太热带医药杂志（英文版）

摘　　要：Rationale:Rabies is a zoonotic disease with a high mortality,primarily transmitted through the bite of infected mammals,particularly dogs and cats.Despite being a well-known disease since ancient times,it continues to cause a significant number of human deaths worldwide,with approximately 65000 fatalities reported annually.Patient concerns:We present two fatal cases of rabies in a 12-year-old immigrant boy and a 7-year-old boy.The first case was subject to a 24-hour delay in receiving appropriate medical attention and rabies preventive measures due to the lack of awareness among emergency hospital staff,leading to the administration of wound dressing only.The second case received timely rabies immunoglobulin administration;however,there was a 4-day delay in administering the fourth dose of the rabies vaccine,despite presenting evident symptoms of rabies.Diagnosis:Postmortem examination of brain samples from both patients confirmed the presence of rabies virus.Interventions:Post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies.Outcomes:Both patients were admitted to the hospital after the manifestation of rabies-related symptoms,with the 12-year-old child seeking medical care 47 days after the animal bite and the 7-year-old child seeking medical care 58 days after the exposure.Finally,the first patient died after 27 days and the second patient died after 40 days of hospitalization.Lessons:There is an urgent need for heightened awareness and education among both healthcare professionals and the public regarding the urgency of seeking immediate medical attention after potential rabies exposure.Timely recognition and initiation of post-exposure prophylaxis are pivotal in preventing the progression of the disease.Strengthening surveillance and reporting systems,coupled with continuous training for healthcare professionals,can contribute to early detection and management of rabies cases.

关 键 词：RABIES ENCEPHALITIS Pediatric patients Rabies prophylaxis Public health awareness 

分 类 号：R519[医药卫生—内科学]