Generalized tetanus in an elderly patient: A case report

Tetanus is a rare disease caused by Clostridium tetani causing painful muscle spasms and respiratory failure. A patient from a rural part of the country presented with a nonhealing and increasingly painful penetrating wound. The patient had a purulent wound and later developed risus sardonicus and muscle spasms of tetanus and his blood culture grew the bacteria. His condition was later complicated by respiratory failure, sepsis, and multiorgan failure. He was managed in the ICU with Intravenous antibiotics, respiratory support with endotracheal Intubation and mechanical ventilation, Intravenous Immunoglobin, and multiple organ support. The patient was taken off the ICU by the family for financial reasons and ultimately succumbed to the illness. Tetanus, is a rare vaccine-preventable illness that is underreported. Spasms control and organ support is still the mainstay of treatment. Strict clinical vigilance is important for the early diagnosis and management of tetanus. •Tetanus is rare in the modern world and yet cases are encountered in the developing world.•Strict clinical vigilance is essential for diagnosing this potentially fatal disease.•Duration of treatment is long and requires support, often in the ICU.•Prognosis is variable with many patients in the developing world not affording the long treatment in the ICU.