Use of Aqueous Quaternary Ammonium Compounds in Rabies Prophylaxis
One of our readers questioned the data on the efficacy of aqueous quaternary ammonium compounds for local treatment of wounds potentially contaminated with rabies virus. A rather extended search by Dr Katz turned up a review article (Anderson LJ, Winkler WG: J Infect Dis 139:494, 1979) indicating that 20% soap solution is equally effective in cleaning the wounds of a potential rabies postexposure patient. Since the use of AQAC has been associated with nosocomial infections, it is not considered useful in most clinical situations. "Since a safe and comparably effective alternative, soap and water, is available, CDC no longer recommends that AQAC be used for treatment of wounds exposed to rabies virus, but that wounds be thoroughly cleansed immediately with soap solution."
