Tetanus after Trauma: Still Existed Problem in Tropical Country

Author

Department of Tropical Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China

10.4103/atr.atr_59_17

Abstract

Dear Editor,
An important concern on the management of trauma case
is the tetanus prevention. In the past, when tetanus toxoid,
is not easily available, the rate of posttraumatic tetanus was
very high. In tropical countries, the problem of tetanus is still
existed. Here, the author discusses and summarizes the problem
of tetanus after trauma in the local reports[1,2] in Thailand, a
tropical country in Asia. Based on database review (PubMed,
Scopus, and Thai Index Medicus) on case reports of tetanus
in Thailand in the past 15 years period (2001–2016), there are
at least 132 accumulated cases of posttraumatic tetanus. The
male‑to‑female ratio was 2:1. The mortality rate is 8.02%. In
all cases, the patients did not receive the tetanus toxoid.

1. Sathirapanya P, Sathirapanya C, Limapichat K, Setthawacharawanich S,
Phabphal K. Tetanus: A retrospective study of clinical presentations
and outcomes in a medical teaching hospital. J Med Assoc Thai
2009;92:315‑9.
2. Kanchanapongkul J. Tetanus in adults: A review of 85 cases at Chon
Buri Hospital. J Med Assoc Thai 2001;84:494‑9.
3. Pandejpong D, Phisalprapa P. Awareness of and factors influencing
willingness to receive a tetanus‑diphtheria toxoid booster vaccine
among Thai adults. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health
2013;44:1047‑54.
4. Greenfield LS, Page LC, Kay M, Li‑Vollmer M, Breuner CC, Duchin JS,
et al. Strategies for increasing adolescent immunizations in diverse
ethnic communities. J Adolesc Health 2015;56:S47‑53.