Analysis of human anti rabic post exposure treatment in an urban region ofSoutheastern Brazil

Introduction The treatment of human beings with risk of exposure to rabies virus infection still presents some cases of undesirable post treatment rea ctions. The knowledge resulting from the regular analysis of the epidemiolo gical features associated with these practices would minimize the occurrenc e of these troubles. Methods The records of the treatment of 8,758 human anti-rabies cases perfo rmed in Osasco City, S. Paulo, Brazil between 1984 and 1994 with Fuenzalida & Palacias vaccine and/or anti-rabies serum produced in equines were analy sed by Epi Info program. Results It was found that the higher risk of exposure,was for mule children of from five to nine years of age. The most frequent scene of aggression w as the victim's own house. Dogs were responsible for most of the accidents (62.8%); the majority of dogs and cats involved had not been immunized agai nst rabies (51.0% of dogs and 73.2% of cats). Most people aged nine or unde r were attacked in the head (36.6%), followed by the upper limbs (35.1%); a bove this age the part of the body most frequently hurt was the upper (45.8 %) and lower limbs (43.7%); 26.5% of patients had already been vaccinated a gainst rabies at feast once in their lifetime; 90.7% of them sought medical care within five days, anti-rabies treatment was prescribed for 41.9% of t hem. Conclusions Post vaccinal reactions were observed in 0.25% of the patients 0.3% of which were of neurological; 80.1% of the dogs and 58.4% of the cats involved coere kept under observation. The months of March, July, August a nd September presented the highest aggression rates.