Epidemology and clinical aspects of human rabies in Minas Gerais, Brasil: misdiagnosis and misunderstandings on the psychopathological disturbances

• Main Authors: Jayme Neves, Antônio Cândido de Melo Carvalho, Sylvio Megre Velloso
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 1980
• Subjects: Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/b1f2463aa67f4f25b17a8920ffe8f9a0

This paper reports 40 cases of human rabies studied at the Carlos Chagas Hospital of UFMC, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, from 1963 through 1976. From the epidemioiogical point of view it is concluded that the magnitude of the problem of human rabies in underdeveioped countries remains quite unknown. Speciai emphasis is given to the lack of apropriate knowledge of the recommended preventive measures, and to the influence of health education and socio-economic-cultural structure of the communities. The classic clinical picture of human rabies is briefiy described, particular attention being drawn to psychopathologic features of rabies encephalomyeiitis. it is pointed out that in some cases the mental symptoms may predominate from the onset of the illness, adding difficuity to the diagnosis. According to the Authors, human rabies must be differentiated from several psychopathologic syndromes and also from encephalomyelitis due to other central nervous system infections. It is discussed whether the fataiistic concept of human rabies would be somehow contributing to delay a better understanding of the natural history of the disease. No trabalho são estudados 40 casos de raiva humana identificados no Hospital Carlos Chagas da UFMG, Minas Gerais, Brasil, durante o período compreendido entre 1963 e 1976. Do ponto de vista epidemiológico, concluiu-se que a magnitude do problema gerado pela raiva nos países em desenvolvimento permanece ainda desconhecida. Neste particular, merecem realce o inadequado conhecimento das medidas preventivas recomendadas e a influência de fatores dependentes da educação sanitária e das estruturas sócio-econômica e cultural das comunidades. Descreveu-se sumariamente o quadro clínico clássico da encefalomielite rábica, ressaltando-se suas peculiaridades psicopatológicas. Salientou-se que, em alguns casos, a sintomatologia mental pode predominar desde o início da doença, acarretando dificuldades ao diagnóstico. Segundo os Autores, a raiva humana deve ser diferenciada de diversas síndromes ...