Title |
An unusual complication of the traditional treatment of a closed fracture – generalized tetanus: a case report
|
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Published in |
Journal of Medical Case Reports, October 2017
|
DOI | 10.1186/s13256-017-1477-y |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Landry W. Tchuenkam, Emmanuel K. Ndame, Marc L. Guifo, Celestin Danwang, Ginette C. Kalla, Arthur Essomba |
Abstract |
Tetanus is a severe infectious disease that can lead to death. The clinical manifestations are due to an exotoxin secreted by Clostridium tetani, a spore-producing Gram-positive bacillus. The penetration of the germ is made through a skin opening, independently of the size of the wound. A 13-year-old black African boy of the Bantu ethnic group with unknown tetanus vaccination status presented to our pediatric emergency room for the management of chest and vertebral pains which started a few days after traditional treatment by scarification and herbal and leaf ointment. The treatment was initiated by a traditional healer and indicated for a closed fracture of our patient's left forearm sustained during a fight. The diagnosis of generalized tetanus was made on the basis of generalized contractures with opisthotonus, trismus, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Despite prompt intensive care management, he died a few hours after admission. This case emphasizes the permanent threat of tetanus in our environment especially after cultural and traditional acts like scarification that in this specific case was for a therapeutic purpose. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
South Africa | 1 | 20% |
Georgia | 1 | 20% |
United States | 1 | 20% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 20% |
Unknown | 1 | 20% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 3 | 60% |
Scientists | 2 | 40% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 30 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Doctoral Student | 5 | 17% |
Student > Bachelor | 4 | 13% |
Student > Master | 3 | 10% |
Student > Postgraduate | 3 | 10% |
Lecturer | 2 | 7% |
Other | 4 | 13% |
Unknown | 9 | 30% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 10 | 33% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 5 | 17% |
Arts and Humanities | 1 | 3% |
Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine | 1 | 3% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 1 | 3% |
Other | 3 | 10% |
Unknown | 9 | 30% |