Occurrence of Rabies in Post Exposure Vaccinated Cattle with Dog Bite Injury above the Neck Region

Abstract

Background: Investigated the fatality in bovines infected with rabies virus through dog bite, that have undergone the post bite therapy. The site of dog bite close to the brain was an important factor and reason behind the fatality. Methods: The findings from cattle infected naturally with Rabies virus and vaccinated with post bite shots of anti-rabies vaccine were considered for the present study. The rabies cases i.e., 20 cases (out of total 58 cases reported) in bovines, from Bidar, Karnataka and Maharashtra border area, reported in last three years and bovines with site of dog bite specifically above neck region were considered. All the clinical samples were tested with direct fluorescent antibody test and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, amplifying the glycoprotein, G gene of rabies virus. Result: In the diseased cattle, with history of dog bite above neck region, the average incubation period observed was 15 days in case of calves and 20 days in case of adults. The occurrence of clinical signs was seen in cattle undergoing the post bite vaccination. Fatality rate recorded was 100 per cent, despite having treated with post bite anti-rabies vaccine alone, without use of rabies antisera as a passive way of treating successfully in such cases. Rabies post bite vaccination is not protective, if the site of dog bite is above the neck region.