PUBLIC VETERINARY-MEDICINE - PUBLIC-HEALTH - POSTEXPOSURE RABIES PROPHYLAXIS AND PREEXPOSURE RABIES VACCINATION FAILURE IN DOMESTIC-ANIMALS

Objectives-To determine the effectiveness of postex-posure rabies prop hylaxis (PEX) recommendations, as mandated by the slate of Texas, and to investigate PEX and preexposure rabies vaccination failures. Design -Retrospective study. Animals-1,345 unvaccinated domestic animals that had received PEX and 6 animals that had had preexposure rabies vaccin ation failure. Procedure-Zoonotic incident case report forms from 1979 through 1994 were reviewed for information about unvaccinated domesti c animals that received PEX after exposure to a rabid animal, accordin g to state protocol; the reports were also reviewed for information ab out preexposure rabies vaccination failures. From 1979 through 1987, t he PEX protocol was to immediately vaccinate the animal against rabies , isolate it for 6 months, and administer a booster vaccination 1 mont h prior to release from isolation. From 1988 through 1994, the protoco l was to immediately vaccinate the animal against rabies, isolate it f or 90 days, and give booster vaccinations during the third and eighth weeks of the isolation period. Results-From 1979 through 1987, 713 ani mals received PEX; 2 failures were recorded. From 1988 through 1994, 6 32 animals received PEX; 3 failures were recorded. From 1991 through 1 994, 6 preexposure rabies vaccination failures were recorded. Clinical Implications-An effective PEX schedule for domestic animals includes immediate rabies vaccination, with a minimum of 1 booster vaccination, and 90 days' strict isolation.