PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases (Feb 2021)

Rabies encephalitis in a preschool child following postexposure prophylaxis.

  • K M Chaitra,
  • Sandeep Ballal,
  • N R Ramesh Masthi,
  • D H Ashwath Narayana,
  • H T Yashodha,
  • Mansi Kumar,
  • Afroza Asiya,
  • Divya Bharathi G,
  • Sanjay S C

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009045
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 2
p. e0009045

Abstract

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We report a case of rabies encephalitis in a 4½-year-old male child with an exposure to a suspect rabid dog. The child developed rabies 25 days after receiving postexposure prophylaxis. Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is currently administered according to body weight. In high-risk exposures over the head and neck, local administration of RIG over and above the body weight depending on the site, size, and severity of exposure may help to prevent rabies death. There is a need for further studies to generate new evidence in this regard.