title: Eradication of tetanus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The causative agent of tetanus, Clostridium tetani is widespread in the environment throughout the world and cannot be eradicated. To reduce the number of cases of tetanus efforts are focussed on prevention using vaccination and post-exposure wound care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medline, Pubmed and Cochrane databases; World Health Organization and United Nations Children's Fund publications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination initiative has resulted in significant reductions in mortality from neonatal tetanus throughout the world.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although there are few data available it is likely that large numbers of children and adults, particularly men, remain unprotected due to lack of booster immunization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It remains unclear how HIV and malaria affect both responses to vaccination and transplacental transfer of antibodies or how this might affect timing of vaccination doses.
authors.affiliation: Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, 764 Vo Van Kiet, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK lthwaites@oucru.org.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Thwaites
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Tropical Diseases, 764 Vo Van Kiet, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Loan
mesh_terms: D060085:Coinfection; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D013742:Tetanus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D013745:Tetanus Toxoid
keywords: elimination; maternal; neonatal tetanus; tetanus