Adverse Cutaneous Reaction Following Intradermal Rabies Vaccination with PVRV in a Category III Monkey Bite Exposure: A Case Report

Abstract

Rabies continues to be a major public health concern in India, and timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) remains the cornerstone of prevention. Although intradermal rabies vaccination (IDRV) is considered safe and cost-effective, clinically significant adverse reactions may occasionally occur. We report a case of a 59-year-old female who developed severe pruritic vesicular eruptions over both deltoid regions following intradermal administration of purified vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV) and human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) after a category III monkey bite exposure. The patient initially received standard anti-rabies prophylaxis but subsequently developed marked local cutaneous reactions characterized by erythema, itching, and blister formation at the injection sites. In view of the adverse reaction, the vaccination regimen was shifted from the intradermal to the intramuscular route and from PVRV to the Purified Chick Embryo Cell culture Vaccine (PCEC), and symptomatic treatment was provided. The patient tolerated subsequent doses well with PCEC and recovered without complications. This case highlights the importance of recognizing uncommon adverse events following rabies vaccination while ensuring uninterrupted completion of life-saving post-exposure prophylaxis.

DOI: https://doi.org/ 10.24321/0973.5038.202608

How to cite this article:
Sahu P, Behera T R. Adverse Cutaneous Reaction Following Intradermal Rabies Vaccination with PVRV in a Category III Monkey Bite Exposure: A Case Report. APCRI J. 2026; 28(1): 34-37.