Generalised tetanus in a patient with a chronic ulcerated skin lesion

Aranegui, Beatriz; Flórez, Ángeles; García‐Doval, I.; García-Cruz, A.; Torre, Carlos de la; Cruces, Manuel

doi:10.1136/bmj.b4419

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…As in the recent case report, it has been shown that the biopsy of a chronic ulcerated skin lesion is in fact prospective portals of entry for C. tetani (11). Wound biopsies were undertaken in 15% of the sample population of the audit.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Diagnostic dilemmas among many chronic wounds necessitate one or more biopsies during the course of their management. A recent case report of 67‐year‐old man developing severe life‐threatening tetanus following biopsy of a chronic wound (11), in conjunction with the increasing rate of incidences in tetanus of the elderly raises a concern of tetanus epidemic among this group.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tetanus in patients with chronic wounds – are we aware?

Farnworth

Roberts

Rangaraj

et al. 2011

International Wound Journal

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The incidence of tetanus in patients with wounds is unknown; however, recently concern has been raised over the proportion of tetanus cases in which a chronic wound is the portal of entry for Clostridium tetani. Varicose ulcers, dermatosis and necrosed tumours are estimated to be the point of entry for C. tetani spores in 11-14% of three cases. Of diabetic patients in the USA who contracted tetanus, a diabetic foot ulcer was responsible in 25% of cases despite this chronic wounds have yet to be considered as a risk factor for tetanus. An audit was undertaken and a survey devised to form the basis of the data collection to assess if patients with chronic wounds are up-to-date in accordance with the tetanus immunisation programme. Over a 5-day period, the data were prospectively collected and the tetanus status of a 100 patients retrospectively analysed. The status was then compared with general practitioner (GP) records via telephone follow-up. One hundred patients (n = 100) were available in the audit period, with the majority being male (n = 51). The age range was 22-91 years old (median 70 years). Nearly half of the samples (n = 48) were diabetic, with the majority of patients (n = 35) having venous leg ulcers. Only 15% had a biopsy of their wound. The duration of wounds varied from 1 to 480 months. Patients were asked to confirm their tetanus status. Almost half of the patients were unsure of their tetanus status 48% (n = 48), almost a third 30% (n = 30) thought they were not covered and 22% (n = 22) thought they were up-to-date. After confirming with the GP records, the results were as follows: almost half of the patients, 43% (n = 43) were not covered, 33% (n = 33) were up-to-date, 13% had no immunisation records available at the GPs, 10% had no GP contact details and 1% no contact was possible. Currently, tetanus prophylaxis is given based on the vaccination history of the patient but as identified that this can prove to be unreliable. With the burden of chronic wound and ageing population set to increase, levels of protection amplify the risk of tetanus faced by those suffering from chronic wounds. Strict caution should be taken in those patients who were born before the national childhood vaccination programme, implemented in 1961. Moreover, every effort should be made to ensure that such individuals complete their primary course. By ensuring each patient is actively immunised, protection against tetanus, a potential killer, is provided.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%