A prospective study on health seeking behaviour and post exposure prophylaxis received by animal bite victims at the anti-rabies clinic in a tertiary care centre of urban Bangalore.

Background: Rabies is 100% preventable by administering early and complete post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Animal bite victims must have the knowledge and attitude necessary to seek appropriate medical care at the earliest to receive the required PEP. Objectives: The present study sought to ascertain the health-seeking behavior of animal bite victims, their knowledge and attitude regarding rabies prophylaxis, the PEP they received, and their level of compliance with the full course of anti-rabies vaccination. Methods: The study included animal bite cases that presented to the anti-rabies clinic and matched the eligibility criteria. All the required details were recorded using an internally validated structured questionnaire. All participants were followed up for six months to ensure their health conditions and compliance with the vaccination schedule. Results: Out of 1058 respondents, 57.9% were adults, with 46.6% belonging to middle socioeconomic class. 91.1% of them were informed biting animals as dogs. Before arriving at the anti-rabies clinic, 93.3% of the study subjects washed their wounds, and 62.4% visited to another health facility. Rabies knowledge was inadequate among the study participants, only 54.8% being mindful about the disease and its prevention. The compliance with the full course of antirabies vaccination was found to be 77.9%. All subjects were healthy, confirming that PEP is safe and effective. Conclusion: Regular social and behavioral change communication (SBCC) needs to be implemented with regard to health-seeking behavior.

Management Strategies for Common Animal Bites in Pediatrics: A Narrative Review on the Latest Progress.

Animal bites are a common reason for children to visit primary care and emergency departments. Dog bites are the most prevalent, followed by cat bites at 20-30%. Other animals such as bats, monkeys, snakes, and rats collectively contribute less than 1% of cases. Hospitalization is necessary in only 4% of animal bite incidents. The main aim of this narrative review is to summarize the main protocols currently followed in pediatrics in cases involving the most common bites from different animal species. Analysis of the literature showed that the management of common animal bites in children presents a multifaceted challenge requiring a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment modalities associated with each specific species. Effective wound management is paramount in reducing the risk of infection and promoting optimal healing outcomes. Additionally, tetanus vaccination status should be assessed and updated as necessary, and prophylactic antibiotics may be indicated in certain cases to prevent secondary infections. Furthermore, the role of rabies prophylaxis cannot be overstated, particularly in regions where rabies is endemic or following bites from high-risk animals. In addition to medical management, psychosocial support for both the child and their caregivers is integral to the overall care continuum. Future studies exploring the efficacy of novel treatment modalities, such as topical antimicrobial agents or advanced wound dressings, may offer new insights into optimizing wound healing and reducing the risk of complications.

Trends in Animal Bites and Rabies-related Deaths in Northern Iran: Implications for Public Health Interventions.

BACKGROUND: Rabies remains a public health problem in middle-income countries like Iran, despite being preventable. This study aimed to evaluate the six-year incidence of animal bites in the southern Caspian Sea region from 2016 to 2022, and focus on estimating the direct costs of animal bite cases using the incidence-based method. METHODS: A multicenter, registry-based study was conducted using surveillance data of animal bites. RESULTS: Of the 40922 cases reported during the study period, 65.9% were male and 34.1% were female. Animal bites were most frequent among individuals over 50 years of age (23.5%), while children under 10 years of age had the lowest frequency of animal bites (2.3%). Animal bites were most common in June. Dogs were responsible for 33277 (81%) cases, cats for 5,624 (13.7%) cases, cows for 1054 (2.5%) cases, and other animals for the remaining cases. During the six-year study period, four deaths due to rabies were reported in the study area. The annual bite incidence rate was 386.3 per 100000 people in northern Iran. The males-to-female ratio was highest in 2019 (M/F ratio=2.4, 95% CI=1.2‒3.4). CONCLUSION: The elderly are at higher risk of animal bites, especially in rural areas. It is important to emphasize the use of protective clothing, washing wounds with soap water and rabies vaccination as initial treatment. Targeted vaccination efforts for eligible animals should be prioritized to minimize unnecessary financial burden. Educating farmers about rabies prevention programs, especially in cases of cow bites, is also important.

Cat bite injuries to the hand and forearm: the impact of antibiotic treatment on microbiological findings and clinical outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Patients and physicians often underestimate cat bite injuries. The deep and narrow wound seals quickly and provides an environment for the inoculated saliva and bacteria. Interestingly, the literature reports no bacterial growth in the microbiological workup of wound swaps in up to 43%. The time between bite injury and the first clinical presentation, the start of antibiotic treatment and surgical debridement might affect these findings. Therefore, the current project examines if (1) these factors impact the outcome of microbiological results following cat bite injuries and (2) the detection of bacterial growth leads to higher complication rates, longer hospital stays, longer total treatment time, or higher total treatment costs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective study analyzed data from 102 adult patients. All patients received antibiotic and surgical treatment following a cat bite injury. Microbiological samples were collected during surgery in all cases. The time from the bite incident to the first presentation, beginning of antibiotic administration, and surgical debridement was calculated. Demographic data, complication rate, length of hospital stay, total treatment time, and total treatment costs were recorded. (1) A generalized linear model was fitted using the microbiological outcome as the dependent variable. (2) Two groups (negative or positive microbiological results) were formed and statistically compared. RESULTS: The median age was 50 (SD 16), and 72% were female. (1) The time from the bite incident to the first clinical presentation, antibiotic administration, or surgical treatment was not associated with the outcome of the microbiological result. (2) No significant differences were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our data do not suggest that early antibiotic administration or delayed surgical treatment affects the outcome of the microbiological workup following cat bite injuries to the hand and forearm. The microbiological outcome did not affect the complication rate, treatment time, and total treatment costs.

Prevalence of delayed initiation of rabies postexposure prophylaxis and factors influencing it among animal bite victims from Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND: In a rabies-endemic country like India, every animal bite is potentially taken as rabid exposure and timely and appropriate postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) is crucial as rabies is an almost 100% fatal disease. METHODS: A retrospective record-based study was conducted at an anti-rabies clinic (ARC) in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Data of the animal bite victims attending the ARC for PEP from January to December 2022 were extracted from the records. A semistructured questionnaire was used for collecting information regarding the interval between exposure and the initiation of anti-rabies PEP, age, gender, residence, the bite site on the body, category of exposure and other risk factors associated with the delay in PEP. RESULTS: Most of the victims were male (67.6%), from an urban background (61.3%) and aged up to 20 y (43.9%). Out of the 222 victims, 62 (27.9%) had delayed initiation of PEP (>48 h after exposure). Factors found to be significantly associated with delayed initiation of PEP were residence (p=0.01), age (p=0.04) and the type of biting animal (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed initiation of PEP is common among animal bite victims in this region of India, although PEP is affordable. Educational programmes and awareness-raising campaigns for timely administration of PEP should be a priority, especially targeting rural residents, those aged<18 y and those bitten by animals other than dogs.

Clinical features of pasteurellosis without an animal bite or scratch in comparison with bite/scratch pasteurellosis.

Pasteurellosis is a common zoonotic infection that occurs after an animal bite or scratch (B/S). We compared the clinical features of six patients with non-B/S pasteurellosis with those of 14 patients with B/S infections. Pasteurella multocida was identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in all six non-B/S infections, whereas 13 of the 14 B/S infections were identified with diagnostic kits. The non-B/S infections were pneumonia (n = 3), skin and soft tissue infections (n = 2), and bacteremia (n = 1). Pneumonia occurred in two patients with underlying pulmonary disease, whereas ventilator-associated pneumonia developed in one patient with cerebral infarction. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from a blood specimen and nasal swab from a patient with liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class C) and diabetes. Cellulitis developed in one patient with diabetes and normal-pressure hydrocephalus, who had an open wound following a fall, and in one patient with diabetes and a foot ulcer. Three patients with non-B/S infections had no pet and no episode of recent animal contact. The rate of moderate-to-severe comorbidities was significantly higher in patients with non-B/S infections than in those with B/S infections (100% and 14.3%, respectively, p < 0.001). In conclusion, non-B/S infections can develop in patients with chronic pulmonary disease, invasive mechanical ventilation, or open wounds, or who are immunocompromised, irrespective of obvious animal exposure. In contrast to B/S infections, non-B/S pasteurellosis should be considered opportunistic.

Animal Bite Injuries to the Face: A Retrospective Evaluation of 111 Cases.

The treatment of bite wounds to the face is discussed controversially in relation to surgery and antibiotics. The aim of this study is a retrospective evaluation of 111 cases of animal bite injuries to the face that presented to our unit of oral and maxillofacial surgery over a 13-year period. Children under 10 years of age were predominantly involved. A total of 94.5% of the assessed injuries were caused by dogs. Wound infections occurred in 8.1%. Lackmann type II was the most common type of injury (36.9%). The perioral area was affected most frequently (40.5%). Primary wound closure was carried out in 74.8% of the cases. In 91.9% of the cases, antibiotic prophylaxis was prescribed. The most often administered type of antibiotic was amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (62.1%). Patients without antibiotics showed an increased infection rate without significance. Wound infections occurred significantly more frequently in wounds to the cheeks (p = 0.003) and when local flap reconstruction was necessary (p = 0.048). Compared to the other surgical treatment options, primary closure showed the lowest infection rates (4.8%, p = 0.029). We recommend antibiotic prophylaxis using amoxicillin with clavulanic acid and wound drains for wounds of Lackmann class II or higher. Primary closure seems to be the treatment of choice whenever possible.

Pediatric Long Bone Fractures After Dog Bites: A Case Series and Systematic Review.

This study presents a case series and systematic review of pediatric patients who sustained long bone fractures following dog bites. A systematic review of the studies on "pediatric fracture dog bite" based on a search of PubMed and OVID Medline databases was performed by adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Articles in English describing pediatric long bone fractures due to dog bites were included. Studies not differentiating pediatric from adult patients and not describing long bone fractures due to dog bites were excluded. Study characteristics, fracture epidemiology, management decisions, and follow-up data were extracted. Additionally, a seven-year retrospective chart review of cases treated at our level one pediatric trauma center was performed. Data on fracture characteristics, surgical management, choice of antibiotic therapy, and follow-up were collected. Five studies that met our criteria were analyzed. Pediatric long bone fractures from dog bites were identified in 0.35% (11/3,156) of patients. Such fractures most commonly involved the upper extremity (9/11, 82%). None of the studies described the choice of antibiotics, surgical decision-making, or wound closure preference for an underlying fracture. Our chart review elicited three cases of long bone fractures due to dog bites. Pediatric long bone fractures after dog bites are a rare injury pattern in the United States. These injuries should be treated as contaminated open fractures, and urgent immunization, intravenous antibiotic administration, wound care, and fracture stabilization should be provided. We recommend meticulous surgical debridement in the operating room, as wounds often probe deep into the bone. Nevertheless, there is much that remains unclear about these injuries. Hence, further research with greater power is needed to improve treatment decisions.

Epidemiology of animal bite in Iran: A Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Despite a lot of efforts made in the rabies health-care system, Iran is still in an endemic region and millions are spent annually to prevent rabies. Materials and Methods: Searching in national and international databases has been performed. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses protocol were followed. To assess heterogeneity, the I-index was calculated. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed by the remove-one method. The publication bias was also investigated by Egger's regression test, and the trim and fill method. To perform a meta-analysis, CMA version 2 software was used. Results: Totally, 33 studies with 250,980 animal-bite cases were meta-analyzed. A summary estimate of the incidence of 1200 per 100,000 population (95% CI 1000, 1500) with a mean age of 29.97±15.13years (95%CI: 29.33, 30.61) was estimated. The rate in men was higher 76.7% (95%CI 74.7%, 78.8%) than in women and in the rural 49.7% (95%CI: 42.8%, 58.6%) was equal in the urban. Most bites occurred in the spring and summer 20.5% (95%CI: 16.1%, 25.9%). The highest of job-related bites was in students 20.1% (95%CI: 19%, 23%). The highest rate of bite location and the animal type were estimated in the order of lower limbs and by dogs respectively. The rate of complete vaccination 61% (95%CI: 43%, 76%) and immunoglobulin injection 39% (95%CI: 22%, 59%), were estimated respectively. Conclusion: Estimates reveal that there has been little change in the animal bites over the years. It is necessary to take special actions to control the disease at the national and international levels.

Brachial Artery Injury Resulting From a Dog Bite in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report.

Pediatric trauma surgeons frequently encounter severe injuries from animal bites, with dog bites being especially prevalent in children, often leading to facial injuries. This paper details the case of a six-year-old male who suffered a dog bite resulting in a rare proximal right brachial artery injury. The bite caused deep lacerations and avulsion injuries, prompting admission to the trauma center, where nonpalpable right radial and ulnar pulses and arm weakness were observed. Surgical intervention, including wound exploration and brachial artery repair using a saphenous vein graft, successfully restored vascular perfusion. This case underscores the urgency of addressing pediatric dog bite injuries through timely exploration, thorough irrigation, and antibiotic prophylaxis, while also highlighting the need for further research on preventive education and clinical guidelines for assessing vascular injuries in such cases.

Radial Artery Pseudoaneurysm From a Squirrel Bite.

Radial artery pseudoaneurysm is a rarelimb-threatening complication that occurs from vascular procedures and direct trauma. We present a rare case of a 74-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with a squirrel bite to her right wrist. Although initially benign-appearing, computed tomography angiography of the right upper extremity showed a pseudoaneurysm at the distal radial artery. The patient was successfully treated with careful compression and rapid resolution was confirmed with an arterial right upper extremity ultrasound that visualized a formed thrombus. Emergency providers should have a high index of suspicion for radial artery pseudoaneurysms in the setting of animal bites to the wrist.

A Case of Uncomplicated Bacteremia Caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus in an Immunocompetent Patient.

This report describes uncomplicated bacteremia caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus in an immunocompetent woman who presented with rigor and fever. She was hemodynamically stable. Two blood samples were immediately cultured because rigor indicated bacteremia. Although her symptoms were relieved, Gram-negative rods grew from blood cultures. She noted that she had been bitten by her dog before the first examination. The bacterium was confirmed as C. canimorsus by gene analysis. Infection with C. canimorsus can be fatal when accompanied by sepsis in elderly or immunocompromised patients. However, this case was considered rare as the patient was 41 years old and immunocompetent.

Management of Soft Tissue Injuries in Children-A Comprehensive Review.

Airway injury, Ocular injury and neurovascular tissue damage, burns is all a spectrum of pediatric soft tissue injury complex. Soft tissue injuries to the head and neck area in children are challenging to manage, because these injuries significantly affect the child's overall health and development. Management of such injuries requires a multidisciplinary approach involving surgical and nonsurgical interventions and close collaboration among health care professionals, parents, and caregivers. This article reviews the various causes of injuries, specific considerations for each region of the head and neck, and approaches to the surgical management of soft tissue injuries in pediatric patients, including surgical and adjuvant therapies. Specific anatomic regions reviewed include the scalp/forehead, periorbital region, nose, cheeks, lips, ears, and neck/airway.Laceration repair in the growing pediatric populations may require revisions in the future. Facial soft tissue injuries are prone to poor cosmesis as in many occasions as may be constrained by available surgical specialists, thus proper multispecialty team approach along with surgical alignment and symmetry should be considered comprehensively.

Animal bites management in Northern Iran: Challenges and solutions.

Objectives: Animal bite is considered a serious social, economic, and health risk for societies with poor animal bites and population management. The objective of this study was to propose a model for animal bites management in Golestan Province. Methods: The present study is a multi-method study conducted quantitatively and qualitatively. First, as a cross-sectional study, the animal bites in Golestan Province and the country were calculated and their trend was predicted. Secondly, in the qualitative study (content analysis), the challenges, barriers, and methods of animal bite control were extracted through conducting semi-structured interviews and focused group discussion meetings. Finally, the model of animal bite management was developed and it was confirmed by Round Delphi. The data were analyzed via content analysis using MAXQDA18. The participants in this study consisted of university professors, managers, and executive officers involved in animal bite and rabies control plans. Results: This study revealed that the animal bite in Golestan Province had an upward trend, as in the country, and dogs were the main cause of bites (90%). The obstacles and challenges of current animal bites control program in eight areas were expressed by the participants. Also, the animal bite management model, which was obtained from the data of different stages of this study, included nine fields and 41 sub-fields. The fields of the animal bite management model included: providing a cultural package, resolving barriers to animal population control plans, wide coverage of dog vaccination, passing and enacting preventive laws, attracting financial support, constructing standard equipment, providing proper medical services, enhancing inter-departmental coordination, and controlling rabies in the wild. This model was confirmed in a Delphi round. Conclusion: Our study indicated that Golestan Province with an average bite higher than twice the country's average is one of the leading provinces in this regard. Thus, revising the animal bite and animal population control plans in this province is necessary. The model designed in this study can be used as a practical guide by policy makers and officials to manage animal bite and related consequences in this province.

A Rare Presentation of Donkey Bites Involving the Cheek and Ear: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Although animal bites account for a fair number of emergency department visits, donkey bites account for a very limited proportion. A 12-year-old boy presented to our department with a severe donkey bite involving his face. The injury included his left cheek with a laceration of the left ear cartilage. The examination revealed no serious morbidity (no vascular or nerve involvement). The patient received prophylactic antibiotics and anti-rabies/anti-tetanus vaccination. The wound was cleaned thoroughly with copious irrigation. Afterward, the patient underwent surgery to correct the defect in the cheek using a rotational advancement cervicofacial flap, while the penetrated ear cartilage was repaired and the skin margins were approximated and sutured. During the follow-up period, no complications were observed and the functional and cosmetic outcomes were satisfactory. Donkey bites are rarely encountered and they can result in different presentations and morbidities/outcomes. It is suggested that the timing from the bite injury to presentation, the stage/extent of the bite, the use of anti-tetanus and anti-rabies vaccines, and the prophylactic use of antibiotics may play a role in determining the outcomes and/or complications of donkey bites.

Avaliação epidemiológica dos casos de mordedura animal e factores associados a raiva em Moçambique, 2017-2021 / Epidemiological evaluation of animal bite cases, rabies and associated factors in Mozambique, 2017-2021

A mordedura por animal incluindo o cão é a principal forma de transmissão da raiva humana na África subsaariana, inclusive, Moçambique. Nos últimos anos tem-se registado um aumento de ocorrência de mordedura animal. Este estudo objetiva avaliar epidemiologia de mordedura animal e factores associados à raiva em Moçambique no período de 2017 a 2021.Realizou-se um estudo descritivo transversal de abordagem quantitativa. Foram usados dados secundários do sistema de vigilância da raiva em humano e animal. Calculou-se estatística descritiva, regressão logística multivariada, considerando um P ˂0,05 como significativo e um IC95%. O teste de Hosmer-Lemeshow foi usado para avaliar o ajuste do modelo final a um nível de significância de 0,05, através do programa estatístico IBM SPSS, versão 27. Durante o período de estudo, em média, foram registados 87,9 casos de mordedura animal por 100.000 habitantes (IC95%:86,8­89,0) com uma tendência. As províncias de Maputo Cidade 263,3 (IC95%:253,8­272,8), Sofála 222,3 (IC95%:216,3­228,3), Gaza 154,3 casos por 100.000 habitantes (IC95%:147,8­160,7) tiveram incidência acima da média nacional. Dos casos investigados, 42,4% (1831/4321) eram menores de 15 anos, 56,4% (2435/4321) foram masculinos, 77,6% (3454/4321) residiam em área urbana e 91,3% (3943/4321) foram mordidos por cão. Dos cães envolvidos, 85,4% (3368/3943) não estavam vacinados. Entre os casos investigados com critério, 50,0% (1874/3746) não tiveram profilaxia pós-exposição. As pessoas mordidas em Zambézia (ORa=91,3; IC95%:22,06­378,09; P˂0,001); Niassa (ORa=14,2; IC95%:10,13­19,96; P˂0,001) e Cabo Delgado (ORa =13,8; IC95%:8,34­22,69; P˂0,001) tiveram mais chances de não fazer profilaxia pós-exposição do que as pessoas mordidas em Maputo Província. Residir na área rural aumenta 70% vezes mais chance de não fazer profilaxia pós-exposição do que residir na área urbana (ORa=1,80; IC95%:1,50­2,18; P˂0,0001). No período de estudo, foram registados, em média, 187,7 casos de raiva humana por 100.000 pessoas mordidas (IC95%:134,9­240,6). A pessoa mordida em Niassa (ORa=12,1; IC95%:5,8-25,0; P˂0,001), ou Cabo Delgado (ORa=9,5; IC95%:4,0-22,6; P˂0,001), ou Zambézia (ORa=5,3; IC95%:2,6-10,8; P˂0,001) ou Inhambane (ORa=3,7; IC95%:1,5-8,8; P=0,004) tem mais chance para devolver raiva do que a pessoa mordida em Maputo Província. A raiva continua a ser um grave problema de saúde pública em Moçambique. Viver nas províncias de Niassa, Cabo Delgado, Zambézia e Inhambane diminui a chance para fazer a profilaxia pós-exposição em humano e aumenta o risco de desenvolver raiva após uma mordedura animal. Baixa cobertura vacinal dos animais. Recomenda-se melhorar a logística da distribuição das vacinas antirrábicas, priorizando as áreas de maior incidência de mordedura animal e raiva.

Introduction: Animal and dog bites are the main forms of human rabies transmission in sub Saharan Africa, including Mozambique. In recent years there has been an increase in the occurrence of animal bites. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiology of animal bites and factors associated with rabies in Mozambique from 2017 to 2021. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with a quantitative approach. Secondary data from the human and animal rabies surveillance system were used. Descriptive statistics, multivariate logistic regression, considering a P ˂0.05 as significant and a 95% CI were calculated. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to assess the fit of the final model at a significance level of 0.05, using the IBM SPSS statistical program, version 27. Results: During the study period, on average 87.9 animal bite cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95%CI:86.8-89.0) were recorded with a trend. The provinces of Maputo City 263.3 (95%CI:253.8-272.8), Sofala 222.3 (95%CI:216.3-228.3), Gaza 154.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95%CI:147.8-160.7) had incidence above the national average. Of the cases investigated, 42.4% (1831/4321) were under 15 years of age, 56.4% (2435/4321) were male, 77.6% (3454/4321) resided in an urban area and 91.3% (3943/4321) were bitten by a dog. Of the dogs involved, 85.4% (3368/3943) were not vaccinated. Among the cases investigated with criteria, 50.0% (1874/3746) did not have post-exposure prophylaxis. Persons bitten in Zambezia (ORa=91.3; 95%CI:22.06-378.09; P˂0.001); Niassa (ORa=14.2; 95%CI:10.13- 19.96; P˂0.001) and Cabo Delgado (ORa=13.8; 95%CI:8.34-22.69; P˂0.001) were more likely not to take post-exposure prophylaxis than persons bitten in Maputo Province. Living in a rural area increased the odds of not taking post-exposure prophylaxis 70% more than living in an urban area (ORa=1.80; 95%CI:1.50-2.18; P˂0.0001). During the study period, an average of 187.7 human rabies cases per 100,000 people bitten were recorded (95%CI:134.9-240.6). A person bitten in Niassa (ORa=12.1; 95%CI:5.8-25.0; P˂0.001), or Cabo Delgado (ORa=9.5; 95%CI:4.0-22.6; P˂0.001), or Zambezia (ORa=5.3; 95%CI: 2.6-10.8; P˂0.001) or Inhambane (ORa=3.7; 95%CI:1.5-8.8; P=0.004) are more likely to return rabies than the person bitten in Maputo Province. Conclusion: Rabies remains a serious public health problem in Mozambique. Living in the provinces of Niassa, Cabo Delgado, Zambézia and Inhambane decreases the chance to take post-exposure prophylaxis in humans and increases the risk of developing rabies after an animal bite. Low vaccination coverage of animals. It is recommended to improve the logistics of rabies vaccine distribution, prioritizing the areas with the highest incidence of animal bites and rabies.

An epidemiological study of domiciliary practices and health seeking behaviour among animal bite patients attending a hospital in Delhi.

Background and Objectives: Rabies, although a 100% fatal disease, is preventable with appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 animal bite patients in the anti-rabies clinic (ARC) of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi (VMMC & SJH). Methods: A predesigned, pretested, structured questionnaire was administered by interview technique to assess the sociodemographic profile, health-seeking behavior, and the various domiciliary practices adopted by the animal bite patients. Results: Out of 360 study participants (348; 96.7%) visited a health facility (government/private) after an animal-bite incident. Of the 241 study participants who washed their wounds, 131 (54.4%) had washed the wound using soap and water and 216 (89.6%) had washed the wound for less than 5 min. Chili paste (128; 35.6%) was the most commonly used household remedy. Interpretation and Conclusions: It was observed that a considerable segment of the study population approached health care facilities for vaccination following animal bite but did not practice the correct wound-washing practices immediately after the incident, and a sizeable proportion of the study participants resorted to non-allopathic practices (e.g., chili paste) as a measure of first aid to manage animal bite wounds. No association was found between the sociodemographic determinants and domiciliary practices and health-seeking behavior (P > 0.05). As rabies is a preventable disease, increasing awareness pertaining to its prevention may prove to be beneficial in reducing the morbidity and mortality.

Nonfatal, Nonpredatory Jaguar Attacks in Brazil: A Case Series.

The jaguar, Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758), is the biggest felid in the Americas. Its range extends from the southwestern United States to northern Argentina. Herein, we present 5 nonfatal jaguar attacks that occurred in Brazil between March 2010 and November 2021. Most of the cases occurred when the victim encountered a jaguar guarding its food or cubs or devouring prey; none appeared to be the result of predatory behavior.

Uncovering a Failed Pediatric Patient Population in Rural America: A Statewide Analysis of Over 1,000 Dog Bite Injuries.

Pediatric dog bites are prevalent and often devastating. Population-based data on these injuries can aid public health intervention efforts. However, most existing literature comes from single institutions in urban settings. We assess a statewide cohort to compare injury characteristics in urban and rural regions and find predictors for inter-hospital transfer. Data from 1,007 injuries from 2000 to 2015 were analyzed. Patients in rural areas were younger, more likely to be white and low-income, and more likely to receive delayed patient care. Injuries occurring in public settings as opposed to the private residence were more likely to involve males, occur in low-income areas, and involve non-white patients. Patients who required inter-hospital transfer were more likely to require a surgical subspecialist and operative repair. Our population analysis reveals children living in rural areas as a previously unidentified vulnerable patient population that may be suitable targets for public health interventions.