Background An extended course of tetanus (up to 6 weeks) requiring ICU admission and protracted mechanical ventilation (MV) may have a significant impact on short- and long-term survival. The subject is noteworthy and deserves to be discussed.MethodsTwenty-two ICUs in France performed tetanus screenings on patients admitted between January 2000 and December 2014. Retrospective data were collected from hospital databases and through the registers of the town hall of the patients.ResultsSeventy patients were included in 15 different ICUs. Sixty-three patients suffered from severe or very severe tetanus according to the Ablett classification. The median age was 80 years [interquartile range 73–84], and 86% of patients were women. Ninety per cent of patients (n = 63) required MV for a median of 36 days [26–46], and 66% required administration of a neuromuscular-blocking agent for 23 days [14–29]. A nosocomial infection occurred in 43 patients (61%). ICU and 1-year mortality rates were 14% (n = 10) and 16% (n = 11), respectively. Forty-five per cent of deaths occurred during the first week. Advanced age, a higher SAPS II, any infection, and the use of vasopressors were significantly associated with a lower number of days alive without ventilator support by day 90. Age was the only factor that significantly differed between deceased and survivors at 1 year (83 [81–85] vs. 79 [73–84] years, respectively; p = 0.03). Sixty-one per cent of survivors suffered no impairment to their functional status.ConclusionIn a high-income country, tetanus mainly occurs in healthy elderly women. Despite prolonged MV and extended ICU length of stay, we observed a low 1-year mortality rate and good long-term functional status.

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IntroductionAortitis is rare. The etiological diagnosis is difficult but essential for treatment. Even with appropriate treatment mortality remains high. We present a case of pneumococcal aortitis followed by a brief review of the literature.Presentation of CaseIn this case, the aortic disease was characterized by multiple inflammatory aneurysms. Blood cultures were negative but urine was tested for the presence of pneumococcal urinary antigen postoperatively was positive. Treatment consisted of antibacterial therapy and both surgical and endovascular procedures. The patient was discharged and is well.DiscussionPreoperative determination of etiology is crucial in implementing a specific treatment. Pneumococcus is a common bacterium in infectious aortitis. Identification of the causative microbe is necessary to guide antimicrobial therapy. Blood cultures are frequently sterile. The pneumococcal urinary antigen test may be more sensitive than blood cultures, as is the case in pneumococcal pneumonia.ConclusionsThe pneumococcal urinary antigen test may was a useful diagnostic tool in establishing the cause for aortitis in this case. Its potential value should be assessed in furthers studies.

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