Equine rabies immunoglobulin: a study on its clinical safety

To confirm and assess the clinical safety of equine rabies immunoglobulin (ERIG) administered locally for postexposure prophylaxis against rabies since human rabies immunoglobulin is too expensive to be affordable by most patients, a study was carried out among 3723 patients who attended the antirabies clinic, department of community medicine, MKCG Medical College Hospital, an urban tertiary hospital between September 1, 2003 and March 31, 2004. They were advised ERIG, 1621 patients were of high risk due to the nature of the bites or animal, but only 286 patients of them who could afford the treatment received it. Side-effects were monitored during the follow-up visits on days 3,7,14,30,60 and 90. Statistical analysis was done by using simple proportions and chi-square test. Of the 286 cases receiving antirabies treatment, 214 patients had dog bites and in 100 cases the animal showed abnormal behaviour. Pain (n=237) was the most common side-effect and in 18 patients fever was the systemic side-effect. No anaphylaxis was noted in the study. On day 90 none of the patients had developed rabies. So it can be concluded that ERIG is safe for passive immunisation against rabies.