Journal article
Generalized, non-neonatial tetanus is a highly fatal disease in Afghanistan: A case series study
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES, v 103, pp 568-572
Feb 2021
PMID: 33340666
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Objectives: To describe the clinical features and outcomes of a case series of adult tetanus and illustrate inadequacies in confronting this preventable disease. Design and Methods: This study retrospectively evaluated 24 relatively severe, confirmed cases of tetanus, diagnosed between March 2017 and December 2018, in Kabul Antani Hospital, Afghanistan. Results: Regarding the source of the infection: 18 patients (75%) had a history of injuries, 1 had a history of a dog bite and 1 was an intravenous drug user; 4 patients had no external injuries or wounds. Dysphagia was the main clinical manifestation for which patients sought medical treatment (50%). Of the 12 patients who died, 7 presented with confusion and seizure, 1 with acute kidney injury, and 2 with pneumonia. Conclusions: Mortality due to tetanus is high in Afghanistan (Case Fatality Rate (CFR) 50%)), suggesting an urgent need for vaccination policy and programs, post-exposure protocols, and facilities equipped for the treatment of adult tetanus. The Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan should seek to improve the accessibility, distribution and recording of tetanus immunization through vaccination. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.
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Details
- Title
- Generalized, non-neonatial tetanus is a highly fatal disease in Afghanistan: A case series study
- Publication Details
- INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES, v 103, pp 568-572
- Publisher
- ELSEVIER SCI LTD; OXFORD
- Number of pages
- 4
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Drexel University
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000616697100040
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85099621896
- Other Identifier
- 991021860668704721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Infectious Diseases