Injecting rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) into wounds only: A significant saving of lives and costly RIG.

An increasing number of dog bite victims were being presented to public hospitals in Himachal Pradesh in 2014 amidst virtual non availability of any rabies immunoglobulin (RIG). Only a small quantity of equine rabies immunoglobulin (eRIG) was available from the government owned Central Research Institute (CRI) Kasauli. This available eRIG was used in 269 patients as an emergency response and only for local infiltration of severe bite wounds by suspected rabid dogs. This was followed by rabies vaccination, using the WHO approved intra-dermal Thai Red Cross Society vaccination schedule. A subgroup of 26 patients were later identified who had been severely bitten by laboratory confirmed rabid dogs. They were followed for more than one year and all were found to be alive.

Development of a Cost-effective Ovine Polyclonal Antibody-Based Product, EBOTAb, to Treat Ebola Virus Infection.

The highly glycosylated glycoprotein spike of Ebola virus (EBOV-GP1,2) is the primary target of the humoral host response. Recombinant EBOV-GP ectodomain (EBOV-GP1,2ecto) expressed in mammalian cells was used to immunize sheep and elicited a robust immune response and produced high titers of high avidity polyclonal antibodies. Investigation of the neutralizing activity of the ovine antisera in vitro revealed that it neutralized EBOV. A pool of intact ovine immunoglobulin G, herein termed EBOTAb, was prepared from the antisera and used for an in vivo guinea pig study. When EBOTAb was delivered 6 hours after challenge, all animals survived without experiencing fever or other clinical manifestations. In a second series of guinea pig studies, the administration of EBOTAb dosing was delayed for 48 or 72 hours after challenge, resulting in 100% and 75% survival, respectively. These studies illustrate the usefulness of EBOTAb in protecting against EBOV-induced disease.

Coste y efectividad de los nuevos antivirales para la hepatitis C / Cost-efficacy of new antiviral treatments for chronic hepatitis C

No disponible

Respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin: decisions and costs.

A decision analysis was used to evaluate the economic effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin (RSVIG) prophylaxis on selected pediatric populations at risk for developing RSV bronchiolitis or all respiratory illness-related hospitalizations. We compared costs, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness of administering RSVIG to no treatment in different pediatric populations, including those at risk of developing RSV-bronchiolitis and those at risk of developing any respiratory illness-related hospitalization. We observed that if only infants at high risk of severe RSV infections received treatment with RSVIG, a calculated cost saving of about 27,000 dollars per hospitalization prevented were realized. If the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved indications for RSVIG were followed, the cost to prevent one hospitalization due to RSV bronchiolitis would be over 53,000 dollars. If the aim, however, was to prevent all respiratory illness-related hospitalizations for this broader population, a much lower cost (4,000 dollars) to prevent one hospitalization would result. In this situation, cost neutrality was possible, with a therapy cost of 2,843 dollars compared to the actual average therapy cost of 4,444 dollars. Sensitivity analysis showed that the model was relatively insensitive to all variables, with the exceptions of costs related to RSVIG and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. We conclude that RSVIG resulted in cost savings if therapy were reserved for the infants who are at highest risk for developing severe RSV infections. RSVIG is not cost-effective for preventing RSV bronchiolitis when used according to the FDA-approved indications. Education that emphasizes frequent hand-washing, avoidance of passive smoking, and lessening exposure to sick children remains the least expensive prevention tool.

Rabies postexposure prophylaxis--Connecticut, 1990-1994.

In Connecticut, the first case of animal rabies associated with the ongoing raccoon rabies epizootic was identified in March 1991; since then, cases of animal rabies have been confirmed in all eight counties of the state. Because of heightened awareness of the potential for rabies and the nearly always fatal outcome of this disease, the numbers of persons in Connecticut receiving rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) was suspected to have increased substantially during 1990-1994. In Connecticut, PEP is administered with pharmaceuticals obtained through retail channels. In 1994, the Connecticut Department of Public Health surveyed Connecticut hospitals and the two pharmaceutical manufacturers that produce human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) to estimate the number of persons receiving PEP during 1990-1994 and the costs associated with treatment. This report summarizes the survey findings, which suggest an increasing trend in the administration of PEP in Connecticut corresponding with the statewide spread of raccoon rabies.