Tetanus of the Child after Extraction of <i>Tunga penetrans</i> in Brazzaville: One Case

Abstract

Tetanus has become rare even exceptional in the West. On the contrary, it is common in developing countries such as Congo because of low immunization coverage. Its diagnosis, which is essentially clinical, is easy but necessitates a fine semeiological analysis under certain circumstances. We are reporting here a case of tetanus involving an 8-year-old unvaccinated, indigenous aboriginal boy that was caused by the extraction of a Tunga penetrans. The symptomatology of abdominal contractures led to an exploratory laparotomy. The evolution was favorable.