Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Tetanus”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 739 records · Page 41Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of general practitioners in Karachi District Central about tetanus immunization in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of general practitioners regarding tetanus immunization in adults. SETTING: The study was conducted in District Central, Karachi. STUDY DESIGN: This was a Knowledge, Attitude and practices (KAP) survey. METHODS: From a list of 1050 general practitioners (GPs), 100 were selected through simple random sampling and interviewed through a written questionnaire. RESULTS: Only 25% general practitioners had adequate knowledge about pre-exposure and 13% both pre- and post-exposure tetanus immunization. All were ready to participate in any program to update their knowledge. Ninety seven percent were practicing only post-exposure immunization. In unimmunized patients with history of road side/street injury, 55% started tetanus immunization with tetanus toxoid (TT) only, 43% with Anti Tetanus Serum/Tetanus Immunoglobin (ATS/TIG) and only 2% with both TT and ATS/TIG. Only 13% GPs advised their patients to complete three doses of tetanus toxoid after initial contact. CONCLUSION: As majority of GPs had poor knowledge and incorrect practices so interventions like seminars and display of immunization protocols in the clinics are recommended.

Female↗
PubMed2002

Prevalence of tetanus immunity in the Egyptian population.

Our aim was to determine the level of tetanus immunity in the general Egyptian population. The surveyed population consisted of 709 healthy subjects from five regions of Egypt, 2 month to 105 years of age. We used an ELISA assay to determine titers of anti-tetanus IgG. According to the widely used criteria, 31.7% was susceptible to tetanus (IgG level < 0.15 IU/ml), 15.7% protection (0.15-1.0 IU/ml), and 52.6% > or = 1.0 IU/ml). The results revealed that the majority (68.3%) population from 2 months to 50 years had a protective level of IgG against tetanus. The level of susceptibility increases with age until it reaches 90.3% Significantly, more males (23.7%) unprotected against tetanus. Our results suggest that monitoring immunization status and administering the tetanus vaccine as required are essential to insure adequate and long-lasting antibody levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Postsurgical tetanus.

The incidence of tetanus declined dramatically in the 20th century owing to routine vaccination and prompt attention to wound care. Postsurgical tetanus is uncommon, with both exogenous and endogenous sources being responsible for disease. The majority of cases of postoperative tetanus have been observed after intra-abdominal surgery. Those at high risk for developing tetanus include immigrants, the elderly, injection drug users, patients with diabetes and people of Hispanic ethnicity. Although most patients with tetanus can recover if managed appropriately, prevention through active and passive immunization is the main goal. This paper reviews postsurgical tetanus and provides an approach to its prevention and treatment.

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Management of tetanus in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Tetanus is primarily a disease of the elderly. Both the incidence and the case-fatality rates are higher in the elderly population. Physicians need to be aware of special needs concerning the treatment of tetanus in this population. METHODS: A comprehensive review of the literature concerning the treatment of tetanus was undertaken. Using the key words "tetanus," "geriatric," "elderly," and "aged," the MEDLINE files were searched from 1985 to the present. Articles dating before 1985 were accessed by cross-referencing the more recent articles. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Once the diagnosis of tetanus is suspected, intensive, expectant management is necessary. The patient should receive intensive care with treatment aimed at prevention of muscle spasms, prevention of respiratory tract and metabolic complications, and neutralization of circulating toxin. Potential complications of tetanus include pulmonary embolus, aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and pressure sores.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Poliomyelitis, measles and neonatal tetanus: a hospital based epidemiological study.

Vaccine-preventable diseases constitute a major health problem contributing to the morbidity and mortality in many developing countries including Egypt. WHO adopted resolutions to eradicate poliomyelitis by the year 2000, eliminate neonatal tetanus by the year 1995, and reduce measles mortality by 95% and morbidity by 90%, compared to the pre-immunization levels by 1995. Evaluation of preventive programs for these diseases necessitates availability of up to date information on their occurrence. The present study was undertaken to determine the current epidemiological features of poliomyelitis, neonatal tetanus and measles, to identify the trends of these diseases as well as to determine their outcomes and hospital loads. Data about the admitted cases of poliomyelitis, neonatal tetanus and measles were collected from the hospital register of Alexandria fever hospital for five successive years (1992-96). Available information on age, sex, residence, diagnosis, outcome of treatment, dates of admission and discharge were collected. The total number of cases of the three diseases admitted to the hospital during the period 1992-96 were 1406, measles represented 85.4%, neonatal tetanus 13.9% and poliomyelitis 0.7%. The results revealed that in the year 1994 only one case of poliomyelitis was admitted and since then no other cases were reported. The number of measles cases increased gradually in the latter years and about 78% of them were older than five years of age. A significant increase in the age of measles occurrence was observed. A gradual decline in the number of neonatal tetanus cases was observed. These cases were more apt to occur among early neonates but still clustered in certain geographical areas. The results of the study pinpoint the long term impact of the well run program aiming at eradicating poliomyelitis in Alexandria. However, for elimination of neonatal tetanus and controlling measles morbidity, further activities are required including strengthening the surveillance activities for detection of the high risk geographical areas and the high risk factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiology of tetanus in São Paulo State (Brazil)].

Tetanus is a reportable disease in the State of São Paulo since 1978. The data from this source show a trend toward a decrease in the incidence of tetanus, although it is still higher than in the developed countries. There is a constantly high mortality rate. We have studied 133 cases of non-neonatal tetanus that had been reported to the Epidemiology Surveillance Center of the State of São Paulo in 1989. The data we analysed were obtained from the epidemiological report form routinely used during the investigation and confirmation of the cases. The incidence was 0.41 per 100.000 population and the mortality rate was 44.36%. It was possible to identify some groups under a higher risk like old-aged, those living in the western and north-western regions of the State and those classified occupationally as "domestic activities", "rural workers" and "pensioners". We propose that these groups deserve special attention, together with pregnant women and children. In 18.3% of the cases the incubation period could not be determined. The peak incidence occurred in May. We also compared the mortality rate in the group of patients in the Hospital das Clínicas da FMUSP (the only hospital in the State of São Paulo with an Intensive Unit Care designed exclusively to the treatment of the patients with tetanus) and the group of patients that were admitted to other hospitals. The mortality rate in the HC-FMUSP was 34.5% and in the other hospitals was 49.5%, but this was not statistically significant. The role of the medical facilities in the prognosis of the patient with tetanus specially the importance of considering at the same time the severity of the disease and the characteristics of the therapy deserve further study in order to contribute to the development of the medical assistance to the patients with tetanus.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Factors related to mortality in neonatal tetanus in the rural area of Jalisco].

In this article, we report the results of a survey taken in towns with less than 2,500 inhabitants in the rural tetanigenic zone of the State of Jalisco. The purpose was to know the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), the Neonatal Tetanus Mortality Rate (NTMR), the incidence of neonatal tetanus, and a partial register of these indicators, as well as the identification of the risk factors associated with fatalities from this disease. The sampling was multistaged with random selection of the conglomerates. The results were as follows: 75 deaths in children of less than one year of age with an IMR of 34.7 per 1,000 Live Births Registered (LBR), 40 deaths in those of less than 29 days old (Neonatal Mortality Rate of 18.5 per 1,000 LBR), eight deaths by neonatal tetanus (NTMR of 3.7 per 1,000 LBR), the estimated annual incidence rate of neonatal tetanus was 4.6 per 1,000 LBR, and the proportion of neonatal deaths due to tetanus was 20 per cent. The main factors studied which were statistically found to be significantly associated with the mortality rate from neonatal tetanus were: a maternal history of two or more prior child deaths having an Odds Ratio (OR) of seven; the existence of cramped living conditions greater than 3.5 persons per room (OR = 7.93); maternal illiteracy (OR = 7.22); and birth at the home (OR = 17.89). When the logistics model was used to control some of the misleading factors and obtain adjusted OR estimates, place of birth and the maternal history or two or more prior child deaths were found to be significant.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Tetanus in Israel, Judea/Samaria and Gaza, 1968-89: progress and challenge.

During the 1950s tetanus was a major public health concern in Israel, with incidence rates of up to 2/100,000 occurring predominantly among farmers and infants (tetanus neonatorum). These rates have declined considerably since then, with an average of 2 cases per year in recent years, and 5 cases in 1988. There has been a major decline in tetanus incidence in Judea/Samaria and Gaza, due to a successful vaccination program reaching over 90% of infants and schoolchildren and to educational programs. In Judea/Samaria and Gaza, prevention of tetanus neonatorum has improved as a result of the increasing number of hospital deliveries (now 62% in the West Bank and 80% in Gaza), and the widespread immunization of pregnant women and adolescent girls of childbearing age. Special efforts were given to the education of traditional birth attendants (dayas). Prevention of adult tetanus was achieved through immunization of high school students and laborers. Recent cases in all three areas are equally distributed between newborns and elderly persons. Because of the persistence of the incidence of tetanus, a review of Israel's immunization policy is indicated, focusing on high risk groups such as Bedouin women of childbearing age and the elderly.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Tetanus toxin binds with high affinity to neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells NG 108-15 and impairs their stimulated acetylcholine release.

Differentiated neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells NG 108-15 express on their surface specific binding sites for tetanus toxin. 450 sites/cell with a KD of 2 x 10(-11) M were found under "physiological" conditions of pH and salt concentrations. A Hill coefficient of 1.1 indicated noncooperative binding. Specific binding of 125I-toxin to its sites could be prevented either by preincubation of the toxin with a neutralizing monoclonal antibody or by pretreatment of the cells with neuraminidase (Vibrio cholerae). To quantify the action of tetanus toxin on the stimulated release of 14C activity from differentiated cells preincubated with [14C]choline, a new type of perfusion device was designed which could be filled with cells growing in monolayers on Cytodex-3 microbeads. Tetanus toxin inhibited the stimulated 14C release in a time- and dose-dependent manner. A greater than 50% inhibition was found after 2 h of incubation with 10(-12) M toxin. The inhibitory action of tetanus toxin could be prevented with a monoclonal antibody to the toxin or with neuraminidase treatment of the cells. These results suggest that the neuraminidase-sensitive 2 x 10(-11) KD receptors are the productive receptors for tetanus intoxication in differentiated NG 108-15 cells. The possible chemical composition of these receptors is discussed. Differentiated NG 108-15 cells provide a useful model in which picomolar tetanus concentrations produce both measurable saturable binding and inhibition of potassium-evoked, acetylcholine release under physiological conditions of pH and salt concentrations.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1988

Complex ganglioside expression and tetanus toxin binding by PC12 pheochromocytoma cells.

Ganglioside expression and tetanus toxin binding were studied in the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12. Seven ganglioside species were readily detected in extracts of PC12 cells; two were identified as tri- and tetrasialogangliosides, which are common brain constituents but unusual components of neuronal cell lines. Carbohydrate composition, acid and enzyme hydrolyses, and mass spectral analysis revealed that the major species is GT 1b, a predominant mammalian brain ganglioside previously reported to support high affinity tetanus toxin binding (Rogers, T. B., and Snyder, S. H. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 2402-2407). Direct binding of 125I-tetanus toxin to PC12 gangliosides on TLC plates revealed selective binding to the tri- and tetrasialogangliosides. Radioiodinated toxin also bound with high affinity to intact PC12 cells or their isolated membranes. The binding affinity (Kd = 1.25 nM), density of receptors (Bmax = 238 pmol/mg of membrane protein), and dependence on pH, ionic strength, and temperature were similar to those previously reported for toxin binding to rat brain synaptic membranes. Differentiation of PC12 cells caused an increase in expression of the tri- and tetrasialogangliosides and a closely matched increase in tetanus toxin binding to cell membranes. These data provide evidence that complex gangliosides may act as tetanus toxin receptors, and demonstrate the utility of the PC12 cell line for studies of tetanus toxicity and complex ganglioside expression.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1986

Characterization of the binding and internalization of tetanus toxin in a neuroblastoma hybrid cell line.

Tetanus toxin is known to bind neuronal tissue selectively. To study the interactions of this potent neurotoxin in an intact cell system, the binding of 125I-tetanus toxin was characterized in a neuroblastoma retina hybrid cell line, N18-RE-105. The binding of 125I-tetanus toxin to membranes prepared from N18-RE-105 cells showed many similarities to the interactions of 125I-toxin with rat synaptic membranes. The binding was decreased with increasing temperature, ionic strength, and pH. 125I-Toxin bound to membranes with high affinity: KD = 0.62 +/- 0.05 nM; Bmax = 196 +/- 45 pmol/mg protein. Quantitative thin-layer chromatography and acid-degradation analysis revealed that N18-RE-105 cells contained polysialogangliosides GD1a and GT1b in high concentrations. An assay was developed to quantitate surface-bound and internalized 125I-tetanus toxin by exploiting the observation that surface-bound 125I-toxin is susceptible to pronase digestion. When cells were incubated with 125I-tetanus toxin at 0 degree C, all of the bound 125I-toxin could be degraded with pronase. In contrast, when the incubations were performed at 37 degrees C, within 10 min about 50% of the total cell-associated 125I-toxin was pronase-resistant. Temperature pulse experiments demonstrated that 125I-tetanus toxin that was bound to cells at 0 degree C rapidly disappeared from the surface when the cells were warmed to 37 degrees C, as revealed by the appearance of pronase-resistant radioactivity. This internalization was sensitive to metabolic inhibitors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Turkey red blood cell passive haemagglutination assay as guideline for specific prevention of tetanus in injured persons.

Turkey red blood cell passive haemagglutination assays (TRBC-HA) were carried out on serum samples from 873 injured patients in order to compare individual prophylactic treatment against tetanus based on the anti-tetanus antibody levels with interventions based on anamnestic criteria. The results showed a great difference: according to the anamnesis 124 persons (14.2%) were protected, 253 (29%) were partially protected, and 496 (56.8%) were unprotected; according to the TRBC-HA assay, 479 (54.9%) were protected, 279 (32%) partially protected, and 115 (13.2%) unprotected.The efficiency of the prophylactic treatments given on the basis of the two criteria was also compared in a study of 129 injured patients who were divided in two groups: group 1 (50 patients) received 250 IU of human tetanus immunoglobulin (HTI) regardless of their tetanus immunity, and group II (79 patients) received appropriate or no treatment depending on the level of anti-tetanus antibodies determined by TRBC-HA assay. The results showed that prophylactic interventions based on the anti-tetanus antibody levels can give protection in 100% of injured patients at minimum cost and risk.

Animals↗
PubMed1971

The level of tetanus immunity in the population of villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Determination of the level of tetanus immunity in different age groups of a population is important in relation to the results of mass immunization of the population with vaccines containing tetanus toxoid.In this study, the level of tetanus antitoxin in sera from 1053 inhabitants of 6 villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina was determined by means of the passive haemagglutination test. The results show that children from 1 to 14 years of age regularly immunized with DT and DTP vaccines possessed a high level of immunity against tetanus (geometric mean antitoxin titre >/=0.8 IU/ml) and were protected against tetanus in 80-95% of cases. The adult inhabitants (men and women over 29 years of age) were not sufficiently protected against tetanus, the concentrations of antitoxin in their sera being equal to or greater than 0.01 IU/ml in less than 50% of cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Tetanus toxin: convulsant action on mouse spinal cord neurons in culture.

The effects of direct application of tetanus toxin on fetal mouse spinal cord neurons in culture are described. Tetanus toxin produces increased excitation characterized by paroxysmal depolarizing events (PDE). In contrast to the abrupt onset of convulsant action produced by postsynaptic glycine antagonist strychnine, the convulsant action of tetanus occurs after a dose-dependent latent period. The onset of the convulsant action of tetanus toxin is paralleled by a reduction in observed spontaneous inhibitory synaptic potentials. Excitatory synaptic events can be identified as components of some tetanus-PDE. The toxin does not alter postsynaptic responses to the inhibitory amino acids glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid. The latency and convulsant action of tetanus toxin are consistent with an irreversible presynaptic membrane interaction that reduces inhibitory transmission, a mechanism of action distinct from those of convulsants that antagonize inhibitory transmitters at the postsynaptic membrane.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1983

[Naturally acquired tetanus antitoxin in the serum of children and adults in Mali].

Among 48 adults without a history of tetanus immunization, we found with the aid of indirect hemagglutination test 20 individuals with protective tetanus antibody titers, 23 with low levels of antitoxin (under 0,1 I.U./ml) and 5 devoid of tetanus antitoxin. In two blood samples of 99 unvaccinated children under 3 years of age (taken at 7 months intervall) 12,1% showed tetanus antitoxin in the first serum sample and 16,2% in the second sample. Protective antibody titers could be found only in 4 children in each of the first and second serum sample. The data suggest a silent oral immunization by tetanus bacilli thus boosting under unhygienic conditions the tetanus immunity with advancing age.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Tetanus and traditional practices in Dakar (report of 141 cases)].

In this study undertaken in the Infectious Diseases department CHU Fann Dakar, between january 1982 and december 1990 the authors report their observations about 141 cases of tetanus occurred by traditional practices: circumcision, excision, tattooing, scarification, ears piercing. The annual incidence of tetanus occurred by traditional practices was 15.6 cases. It represents 3.6% of all tetanus cases during the study period (n = 3844). The circumcision represents 59.4% (n = 84), the ears piercing 34.4% (n = 48), excision 2.8% (n = 4), scarification 2.1% (n = 3) and tattooing 2 cases. The mortality of tetanus occurred by traditional practices was 8.5%. Health education, information and vaccination against tetanus for all ages according to WHO recommendations will help to eradiquate tetanus in developing countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Cytotoxic effects of a chimeric protein consisting of tetanus toxin light chain and anthrax toxin lethal factor in non-neuronal cells.

The light chain of tetanus toxin is a zinc endoprotease that inhibits neurotransmitter release by selective proteolysis of the synaptic vesicle-associated protein synaptobrevin/vesicle-associated membrane protein. Cellubrevin is a homologue of synaptobrevin that is found in most cell types and is also a substrate for tetanus toxin. The lack of receptors for tetanus toxin on most cell types has made studies of tetanus toxin action in non-neuronal cells difficult. To characterize tetanus toxin effects in non-neuronal cells, a fusion protein consisting of the 254 amino-terminal amino acids of lethal factor (LF) of anthrax toxin and tetanus toxin light chain (LC) was prepared. This protein (LF-LC) inhibited evoked glycine release from primary spinal cord neurons at concentrations between 1.0 and 100 ng/ml. LF-LC was cytotoxic to RAW 264.7, ANA-1 cells (mouse macrophage cell lines), and Chinese hamster ovary cells in a dose-dependent manner. These effects required the presence of protective antigen, the receptor binding component of anthrax toxin. In contrast, LF-LC was not cytotoxic to RBL-2H3, Vero, or mouse hybridoma cell lines. Mutagenesis of conserved amino acids (His237 and Glu234) in the zinc-binding motif of LC resulted in fusion proteins having no biological activity. LF-LC did not inhibit regulated secretion of serotonin in RBL-2H3 cells or constitutive secretion in any non-neuronal cell lines as measured in several different assays. We suggest that the cytotoxic effects of LF-LC result from inhibition of a specific intracellular membrane fusion event mediated by cellubrevin.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

The use of the in vitro toxin binding inhibition (ToBI) test for the estimation of the potency of tetanus toxoid.

The in vitro toxin binding inhibition (ToBI) test was used to determine antitoxin responses in mice immunized with tetanus toxoid. The ToBI test showed good correlation with the in vivo toxin neutralization (TN) test in titration of sera of mice immunized with various doses of DPT-Polio, DT-Polio and a tetanus reference preparation. Estimates of potency of tetanus toxoid obtained in mice by ToBI test correlated significantly with those obtained in mice by the lethal challenge test. In addition, potency values of the European reference preparation, succeedingly estimated by ToBI test and lethal challenge test in a single group of guinea-pigs, showed good correlation. From the study it is concluded that the ToBI test is a promising alternative to the toxic challenge procedure in the potency assay of tetanus toxoid vaccines. A substantial refinement and reduction in the use of animals can be achieved. Additional savings can be made by combining diphtheria and tetanus potency testing.

Animal Testing Alternatives↗