[Using ELISA to evaluate the serologic and epidemiologic effect following rabies vaccination]

After vaccinating the people bitten by animals against rabies, we have examined their serum antibodies by using ELISA. One year later, we sent a mail to everyone of them inquiring if he had contracted rabies. The response rate was 85%. The case fatality rate of the positive antibody group was 0.24% (1/415). The case fatality rate of the negative antibody group was 3.16 (3/95). It showed that there was significant difference in the case fatality rate of rabies between the two groups, (P = 0.022). The dead person of the positive antibody group was bitten on his cheek by a rabid dog. He had not cleaned his wound. He had received 6 injections of rabies vaccines. His incubation period was 28 days. The P/N of serum antibody on the 28th day was 3.27.