Rabies in Ratchaburi Hospital

Abstract

Background : Rabies was important problem in developing country. Almost patients were infected by bited mammals. The incubation period was varied, depend on many factors. Prodrome was non-specific and miss diagnosis for Rabies. Clinical types were encephalilic (furious) and paralytic (dumb) rabies. Developed specific laboratory investigation for Rabies can detected rabies quickly and accurately.

Objective : To study incidence rate and clinical symptoms of Rabies patients in Ratchaburi Hospital.

Methods : Descriptive retrospective study of Rabies was conducted in Ratchaburi Hospital from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006. All patients were evaluated including sex, age, type of bited mammals, sites of infection, incubation period, types of rabies, other symptoms, admit duration, mortality, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and specific lab investigation for Rabies.

Results : All three patients were 2 male (66.0%) and 1 female (34.0%) with mean age 20.33 years (5-31 years) and had no vaccination. There were 2 with bitten wound at arms, 1 with bitten wound at foot and mean incubation period 2.66 months (1-5 months). All patients had encephalitic rabies by bited dog. Other symptoms were varied. All patients were mortal and mean admit duration 5.33 days (2-10 days). All patients had normal CSF and positive specific lab for Rabies.

Conclusion : This study demonstrates that all patients had encephalitic rabies by biting dog and positive specific lab for Rabies. But other symptoms and incubation period were varied.