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Survival after treatment of rabies with induction of coma

  • Rodney E. Willoughby
  • , Kelly S. Tieves
  • , George M. Hoffman
  • , Nancy S. Ghanayem
  • , Catherine M. Amlie-Lefond
  • , Michael J. Schwabe
  • , Michael J. Chusid
  • , Charles E. Rupprecht
  • Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer Fund Research Center
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We report the survival of a 15-year-old girl in whom clinical rabies developed one month after she was bitten by a bat. Treatment included induction of coma while a native immune response matured; rabies vaccine was not administered. The patient was treated with ketamine, midazolam, ribavirin, and amantadine. Probable drug-related toxic effects included hemolysis, pancreatitis, acidosis, and hepatotoxicity. Lumbar puncture after eight days showed an increased level of rabies antibody, and sedation was tapered. Paresis and sensory denervation then resolved. The patient was removed from isolation after 31 days and discharged to her home after 76 days. At nearly five months after her initial hospitalization, she was alert and communicative, but with choreoathetosis, dysarthria, and an unsteady gait.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2508-2514
Number of pages7
JournalNew England Journal of Medicine
Volume352
Issue number24
DOIs
StatusPublished - Jun 16 2005
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Medicine

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