Tetanus

Tetanus is an acute infection caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. Tetanus spores are highly prevalent in soil and manure and may be introduced into the body via broken skin (e.g., a puncture wound, burn, or scratch).

Prevention of tetanus includes appropriate management of tetanus-prone wounds and complete active immunization, with passive immunization administered when required.

Diagnosis is based on clinical findings that include trismus, muscle rigidity, spasms, respiratory embarrassment, dysphagia, or autonomic dysfunction.

Management of clinical tetanus includes supportive care, wound debridement, antimicrobials, passive and active immunization, control of muscle spasms, and management of autonomic dysfunction.

Tetanus is a life-threatening neurologic syndrome characterized by tonic muscle spasms and hyperreflexia, caused by the exotoxin of Clostridium tetani, a gram-positive spore-forming obligate anaerobe.