[Anti-rabies measures by the Infectious Disease Prevention Service at the "La Sapienza" University of Rome in the years 2005-2007].

Antirabies service activities of the Infectious Diseases Prophylaxis Centre of the Sapienza University of Rome during the period 2005-2007. Authors analyzed data, of antirabies activity, from 3206 patients treated at the Infectious Diseases Prophylaxis Centre of the University of Rome "La Sapienza" during the period 2005-2007 Dogs were responsible for most bites (92.1%). All patients went first to the Emergency Room where tetanus prophylaxis was administrated only with specific immunoglobulins (51.5%): to such patients we suggested to implement prophylaxis with vaccination. For other patients (19.4%) we prescribed only vaccine tetanus prophylaxis. Antirabies vaccine (PCEC) has been injected in 604 patients (18.8%). Rabies immunoglobulins have been prescribed only to 11 (0.4%) patients that were bitten during travel to Asia or Africa (0.4%). The authors emphasize the opportunity to reduce the administration of anti-tetanus immunoglobulin in Emergency Room by a deeper evaluation of patient's immunity; moreover the authors confirm a clear quantitative reduction of prophylactic interventions against rabies in Italy.