Rabies encephalitis in a child: a failure of rabies post exposure prophylaxis?. (14th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tinsa, Faten; Borgi, Aida; Jahouat, Imen; Boussetta, Khadija
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2015
• Publication Date: 2015-01-14
• Subjects: Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2014-206191
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Rabies remains a serious public health problem in many developing countries. The diagnosis is easy when a non-immunised patient presents with hydrophobia and hypersalivation after a bite by a known rabid animal but more difficult when a patient presents atypical symptoms after having received rabies postexposure prophylaxis. Rabies postexposure prophylaxis failure is rare. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy who presented febrile seizure with agitation and cerebellar signs, without hydrophobia or hypersalivation, 17 days after a dog bite. Despite four doses of rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin, he died. Diagnostic confirmation of rabies encephalitis was made in post mortem on brain biopsies by fluorescent antibody technique.