[A new approach to postexposure treatment of rabies by complex of immuno- and chemotherapy in belarus].

A method for preventive treatment of rabies with a complex of immuno- and chemotherapeutics was developed. Rifampicin was used a an etiotropic drug. In the experiments on laboratory animals infected with fixed and street strains of rabies virus it was shown to prolong the incubation period and to increase the survival rate. The protective mechanisms of rifampicin against rabies should be associated with inhibition of RNA transcription, as well as immunomodulating function of macrophages, dendritic cells, B- and T-cells. Since 1992, after the approval of the Ministry of Health of Belarus rifampicin is used in complex with antirabic vaccine for postexposure treatment of rabies in people after severe bites by infected animals (wolves, foxes, dogs). For an 18-year period (1992-2009) of integrated application of chemo- and immunotherapy in Belarus there was not registered any case of hydrophobia in people even after the heaviest wolf bites, incompatible with life (penetrating injuries of the skull, scalping, multiple bites).