Efficacy of antibody levels in different post-exposure rabies vaccination programs

Abstract

Objectives. Rabies is a fatal acute viral zoonotic disease causing encephalomyelitis in humans and many othermammalian animals. Prophylaxis is vital since there is no treatment for rabies. This study was a comparisonof antibody levels in patients who were vaccinated following different vaccinationprotocols. Methods. Eightyfive patients who were included in the rabies vaccination program who presented to the vaccination center ofour clinic with the complaint of suspicious contact with rabies were included the study. In 61 (71.8%) patientsa 2-1-1 vaccine program (Zagreb regimen) was implemented, and in 24 (28.2%) patients, a 5-dose rabiesvaccine and rabies immune globulin (RIG) in a dose of 40 IU/kg (Essen regimen) was applied. Results. Inpatients on the 2-1-1 vaccine program, antibody levels on the 21stday were greater than 0.5 IU/ml in 49 (80.3%)patients. Antibody levels on the 28thday in the group that received the 5-dose rabies vaccine and rabies immuneglobulin administration was greater than 0.5 IU/ml in 17 (70.8%) patients. The difference between the twogroups of vaccination programs was not statistically significant (p=0.344). Seroconversion rates forapproximately one month after the last dose of vaccination in the serum samples were 90% and 75% in thegroups with 2-1-1 vaccination, and RIG and 5-dose vaccinations, respectively. The differences were notstatistically significant (p=0.071). Conclusions. Identification of similar seroconversion rates suggests that the2-1-1 vaccination program may be a good alternative option to the standard vaccination program when RIG is unavailable.