title: Meningitis, clinical presentation of tetanus.
abstract: Background. Tetanus is an acute disease caused by a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani. Tetanus immunization has been available since the late 1930s but sporadic cases still occur, usually in incompletely vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals. Case Report. An elderly previously vaccinated female contracted tetanus following foot injury. Clinically she presented with meningitis causing diagnostic and therapeutic delays. Why Should Physician Be Aware of This? Even in developed countries the differential diagnosis of meningitis, especially in the elderly, should include tetanus. Treatment in intensive care unit is required. General population might benefit from vaccine boosters and education on this potentially fatal disease.
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Bialystok, Zurawia 14, 15-540 Białystok, Poland.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Moniuszko
authors: Medical University of Bialystok, Kilinskiego 1, 15-089 Białystok, Poland.
authors: Agata
authors: A
authors: Zajkowska
authors: Medical University of Bialystok, Kilinskiego 1, 15-089 Białystok, Poland.
authors: Ewa
authors: E
authors: Tumiel
authors: Department of Allergy, Cambridge University Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Rutkowski
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Bialystok, Zurawia 14, 15-540 Białystok, Poland.
authors: Piotr
authors: 0000-0002-0072-2180
authors: P
authors: Czupryna
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Bialystok, Zurawia 14, 15-540 Białystok, Poland.
authors: Sławomir
authors: S
authors: Pancewicz
authors: Department of Respiratory Diagnostics and Bronchoscopy, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 17, 15-274 Białystok, Poland.
authors: Ryszard
authors: R
authors: Rutkowski
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Bialystok, Zurawia 14, 15-540 Białystok, Poland.
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Zdrodowska
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Bialystok, Zurawia 14, 15-540 Białystok, Poland.
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Zajkowska