To describe clinical features and outcomes of a case series of adult tetanus which could be of great importance, illustrating still inadequacies in confronting this preventable disease.
This study retrospectively evaluated 24 relatively severe confirmed cases of Tetanus, diagnosed between March 2017 to December 2018 in Kabul Antani Hospital, Afghanistan.
Regarding the source of the infection, 18 patients (75%) had a history of injuries, one case had a history of the dog bite and one patient that was an injection drug abuser, while 4 other cases had no external injuries or wounds. Dysphagia was the main clinical manifestation, for which patients sought medical service (50%). While 7 out of 12 expired patients were presented with confusion and seizure. Acute kidney injury and pneumonia, as complications were reported in 1 and 2 cases respectively.
The mortality due to tetanus is high in the country (Case Fatality Rate [CFR] obtained 50%), which implies the necessity and urgency of duly implementing vaccination policy and programs, as well as equipped facilities for the treatment of adult tetanus and post-exposure protocols. All things considered, The Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan should seek to improve the accessibility, distribution, and health record documentation of tetanus immunization through vaccination.

Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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