Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Induction of Paralysis and Visual System Injury in Mice by T Cells Specific for Neuromyelitis Optica Autoantigen Aquaporin-4
Published on: August 21, 2017
[Flaccid tetraplegia following anti-tetanus vaccination]
M-P Perriol1, D Devos, J-F Hurtevent
1Clinique Neurologique, CHU. Lille.
Introduction:
Anti-tetanus vaccination is considered to be very safe. However complications such as mononevritis, multinevritis or even polyradiculonevritis can be encountered.
Observation:
An 85-year-old man was admitted to our unit after a traffic accident caused by stroke. Seventy-two hours later the patient developed tetraplegia within a few hours, caused by neuropathy secondary to anti-tetanus vaccination.
Discussion:
In this elderly patient, the rapid onset and severe presentation of the tetraplegia as well as the past history of normal vaccination and the axonal form of the neuropathy could have led to a misdiagnosis of neuropathy after booster anti-tetanus vaccination. We first ruled out other possible diagnoses and then reviewed the possible mechanisms of neurological complications of vaccinations. These complications are probably underestimated in elderly hospitalized patients who receive a booster shot in the emergency department.
Conclusion:
This report illustrates the importance of reconsidering the benefit/risk relationship of anti-tetanos vaccination.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Tetanus
Botulism
Diphtheria
Poliomyelitis
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
Myasthenia Gravis ll: Pathophysiology

