Adverse reactions associated with a Fuenzalida-Palacios rabies vaccine: a quasi-experimental study Reações adversas associadas com uma vacina anti-rábica tipo Fuenzalida-Palacios: um estudo quase-experimental

The Fuenzalida-Palacios rabies vaccine has been used in South America for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. To determine thefrequency of adverse reactions associated with this vaccine compared to a control group a quasi-experimental study was carried outin Uberlândia, Brazil, from May 1997 to April 1998. Victims of bites or other injuries by dogs or other mammals and who receivedor not post-exposure prophylaxis with Fuenzalida-Palacios rabies vaccine were compared as to the occurrence of a list of signs andsymptoms. Out of 2,440 victims of bites and other injuries from dogs and other mammals 2,114 participated in the study; 1,004 ofthem provided follow-up information within 10 to 15 days. Headache and pain at the injection sites were the most commonly foundsymptoms (125/1,000). No neuroparalytic event was detected. Patients who were given Fuenzalida-Palacios rabies vaccine andthose who were not had similar incidences of symptoms (risk ratios close to 1). Regarding the occurrence of adverse reactions,Fuenzalida-Palacios rabies vaccine is a valid alternative for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.Key-words: Adverse reaction. Fuenzalida-Palacios vaccine. Post-exposure prophylaxis. Quasi-experimental study. Rabies vaccine.