Generalised tetanus in an unvaccinated adult.
A 76-year-old previously well farmer presented having caught his left index finger in a gate. He gave no history of prior tetanus vaccination. The patient was treated in the emergency department; the wound cleaned, sutured and he was given tetanus toxoid prior to discharge. Eleven days later he represented unable to open his mouth. On examination he was noted to have trismus, generalised muscle spasms, diaphoresis and emotional lability and he was diagnosed with generalised tetanus.
Muldoon
E G
EG
Department of Infectious Diseases, University College Galway, Newcastle, Galway, Ireland. eavan@esatclear.ie
Cavanagh
S
S
Fleming
C
C
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003017:Clostridium tetani; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013742:Tetanus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D008795:Metronidazole; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D003975:Diazepam; D010400:Penicillin G