Clinical characteristics and standardized management of 105 cases of animal-inflicted injuries with severe rabies exposure
Zhan Zhiqun
Yang Heyue
Luo Ke
Yan Meihua
Xu Jiaxuan
Wei Depeng
Wu Xian
Xu Tao
Tang Huamin
Abstract：Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and standardized management of animal-in-flicted injuries with severe rabies exposure.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 105 cases from the Animal-Inflicted Injury Clinic,Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated International Zhuang Medicine Hospital between Jan.2020 and Dec.2022.Statistical analysis was performed on the following parameters:species of injury-causing animals,gender and age of the injured patients,wound location,wound management methods,time intervals between exposure and medical consultation,vaccination status,surgical treatment,infection status,and post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents.Results Among the 105 cases of animal-inflicted injuries with severe rabies exposure who received standardized management,there were 45 males(42.9%)and 60 females(57.1%),with a male-to-female ratio of 0.75∶1.The primary affected population was concentrated in individuals under 15 years of age,accounting for 43.8%.Upper limbs were the most common injury sites(51.4%),and the dogs were the most prevalent injury-causing animals(62.9%).The rabies vaccination rate was 100%,and 89.4%(76/85)of those requiring passive immunization agreed to receive human rabies immunoglobulin.A total of 33 ca-ses(31.4%)underwent surgical wound management,including 32 cases of debridement and suturing and 1 case of medical adhesive closure.Three cases(2.9%)developed infections.Among children and adolescents with severe rabies exposure animal-inflicted injuries,9(22.5%,95%CI:9.8%-35.2%)showed potential PTSD.Conclusion The emergency department of a general hospital can efficiently complete post-exposure prophylaxis for rabies by es-tablishing standardized procedures for animal-inflicted injury management,standardizing wound treatment,and ensu-ring timely full-course rabies vaccination and passive immunizing agent administration.Meanwhile,as a high-risk group for such injuries,children and adolescents warrant attention regarding their risk of developing PTSD.
Keywords：Animal-inflicted injuriesSevere exposureInfectionPost-traumatic stress disorder
Publication Date：2025-12-15
Online Publishing Date：2026-01-05(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 942-947 )