Rabies Vaccinations and Parameters Affecting Early Vaccination in Istanbul Where Human Rabies Cases Are Rare

Şemsi Nur Karabela^1,*, Kadriye Kart Yaşar²

¹University of Health Sciences Turkey, Bakirköy Dr.Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Bakirköy, Istanbul, Turkey - ²University of Health Sciences Turkey, Bakirköy Dr.Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Bakirköy, Istanbul, Turkey

Introduction: Contact with domestic or wild mammals poses a risk of rabies. Accurate evaluation of wounds, early wound care, and vaccination and immunoglobulin therapy reduce the risk. 

Materials and methods: In this study, the data obtained from Rabies Vaccination Center in Istanbul between 2008-2015 were analyzed. Those who applied to the center were divided into two groups as early and late applications. The gender, vaccine type, number of vaccines, wound characteristics, animal characteristics, distance from the vaccine center (residence) of these patients were examined. 

Results: During the study period 3819 patients applied. 79.4% of them applied to our center within the first 24 hours after contact with animals. There were positive correlations between dog bite, male sex, stray animal contact, wound depth  and early administration. It was found that those arriving from a distance of 20-30 km applied in the early period, and those arriving from a distance of 30+ km applied in the late period.

Conclusion: There was no difference between individuals with early and late admission in terms of completing the vaccination program and the site of injury. Animal species, sex, wound depth and the distance between the place of residence and the center are parameters that significantly affect the post-contact application time.