Rabies in humans: A treatment approach

Only few rabies survivors have been described in the medical literature, of whom most suffered severe neurological sequelae. Published treatment protocols have not been applied successfully. Yet, experimental treatments may be of benefit when factors associated with survival are present. Here, we describe two patients who were hospitalised at Amsterdam UMC with clinical rabies and who died despite experimental treatments.

We describe the clinical course and medical decisions in the treatment of two rabies patients at our hospital and compared this approach with published data on the treatment of clinical rabies, depending on the presence or absence of prognostic factors associated with survival, and regarded this information in the context of clinical practice.

The most important factor associated with survival - the presence of high antibody titres in serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at the time of diagnosis - was not present in either of the two cases at our hospital. In addition to supportive treatment, both of our patients were treated unsuccesfully with a novel treatment approach with intrathecal and intravenous monoclonal rabies antibodies, which barely increased serum and CSF antibody levels.

Higher-dosed treatments with monoclonal antibodies in serum may be needed to yield an effect. Any experimental treatment may be most promising in patients who have other factors associated with survival. In the absence of these, initiation of palliative care still seems to remain the most rational strategy.