Burden, epidemiological profile, and wound management practices of dog bite injuries at Government General Hospital, Machilipatnam:  A retrospective observational study.

Dr. B. Manjula; Dr. V. Anitha Lavanya; Dr. Anusha Matta; Dr. A. Durga Rani

doi:10.51168/2v2sv268

Autori

Dr. B. Manjula Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Sri Pingali Venkaiah Government Medical College, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Dr. V. Anitha Lavanya Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Sri Pingali Venkaiah Government Medical College, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Dr. Anusha Matta Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Sri Pingali Venkaiah Government Medical College, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Dr. A. Durga Rani Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Sri Pingali Venkaiah Government Medical College, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/2v2sv268

Cuvinte cheie:

Dog bite, epidemiology, rabies vaccine, rabies antiserum, wound management, retrospective study, post-exposure prophylaxis

Rezumat

Background

Dog bite injuries remain an important public health problem because of wound-related morbidity, demand for emergency care, and the risk of rabies after exposure. Hospital-based data help quantify service burden and guide post-exposure prophylaxis planning.

Objective

To assess the burden, epidemiological profile, and documented wound management practices of dog bite injuries at Government General Hospital, Machilipatnam.

Methods

This retrospective, record-based cross-sectional observational study reviewed all eligible dog bite injury records reported from January to December 2025. A total-enumeration approach was used, with all documented eligible cases during the study period included. Data were compiled for demographic categories and documented management practices. Descriptive statistics were used, and results were expressed as frequencies and percentages.

Results

A total of 3776 dog bite injury cases were reported during the one-year study period. Adult males constituted the largest group with 1905 cases (50.5%), followed by adult females with 1114 cases (29.5%). Male children accounted for 515 cases (13.6%), and female children accounted for 242 cases (6.4%). Overall, males, including adult males and male children, represented 2420 cases (64.1%), while females represented 1356 cases (35.9%). Adults formed 3019 cases (80.0%), and children formed 757 cases (20.0%). Documented management practices included wound washing, rabies vaccination, and rabies antiserum administration where clinically indicated.

Conclusion

Dog bite injuries contributed a substantial clinical burden at Government General Hospital, Machilipatnam. Adult males were the most frequently affected group, while children formed one-fifth of the caseload. Strengthening wound care documentation, vaccine completion tracking, rabies antiserum availability, and public awareness can improve post-exposure care quality.

Recommendations

Strengthen wound care documentation, ensure vaccine completion, maintain rabies antiserum availability, improve surveillance, and expand awareness on dog bite prevention.

Biografii autori

Dr. B. Manjula, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Sri Pingali Venkaiah Government Medical College, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

is an experienced academician and microbiologist with a strong background in medical education, diagnostic microbiology, and laboratory services. She completed her MBBS from Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, and obtained her MD in Microbiology from Osmania Medical College. After completing her postgraduate training, she worked in the Blood Bank at Victoria Government Hospital, Visakhapatnam, where she gained valuable experience in transfusion medicine and clinical laboratory practices.

She subsequently served as Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, contributing to undergraduate teaching, practical training, and microbiology diagnostics. She is currently working as Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Sri Pingali Venkaiah Government Medical College, Machilipatnam. Her areas of professional interest include clinical microbiology, infectious disease diagnostics, blood bank services, antimicrobial resistance, and medical education. ORCID Id: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5391-7854
Dr. V. Anitha Lavanya, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Sri Pingali Venkaiah Government Medical College, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Sri Pingali Venkaiah Government Medical College, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. She is actively involved in undergraduate teaching, diagnostic microbiology services, and research related to infectious diseases and hospital-based epidemiology. Her professional interests include clinical microbiology, laboratory quality practices, infectious disease surveillance, and public health-oriented research.
Dr. Anusha Matta, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Sri Pingali Venkaiah Government Medical College, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Sri Pingali Venkaiah Government Medical College, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. She contributes to medical teaching, laboratory diagnostics, and departmental academic activities. Her areas of interest include infectious disease diagnostics, microbiological surveillance, laboratory practices, and student training in microbiology.
Dr. A. Durga Rani, Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Sri Pingali Venkaiah Government Medical College, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

is Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology at Sri Pingali Venkaiah Government Medical College, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. She has extensive experience in teaching, diagnostic microbiology, departmental administration, and research supervision. Her academic interests include clinical microbiology, infectious disease surveillance, laboratory quality systems, antimicrobial resistance, and public health microbiology.

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