Tetanus in an injecting buprenorphine abuser.
BACKGROUND
Injecting drug abusers are vulnerable to many infectious complications. We describe a case of tetanus in a Singaporean who regularly abused buprenorphine.


METHODS
A 49-year-old male was hospitalised for progressive generalised spasms associated with dysarthria and opisthotonus. Tetanus was diagnosed clinically.


METHODS
Supportive management was instituted in the intensive care unit (ICU). Toxicology samples tested positive for buprenorphine.


RESULTS
He recovered rapidly and was transferred out of the ICU after 8 days. Retrospective questioning confirmed parenteral abuse of buprenorphine.


CONCLUSIONS
This case highlights an uncommon and potentially lethal complication of parenteral drug abuse.
Teo
Felicia S W
FS
Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. felicia.teo.s.w@singhealth.com.sg
Hsu
Li Yang
LY
Lam
Khim Nian Sin Fai
KN
Johan
A
A
D002047:Buprenorphine; D018450:Disease Progression; D004401:Dysarthria; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012846:Singapore; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013742:Tetanus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
D002047:Buprenorphine