Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Tetanus

Tetanus

Tetanus is a life-threatening neurological disorder characterized by persistent muscle contractions and spastic paralysis. It is caused by Clostridium tetani, a motile, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobe. These bacteria produce terminal endospores, giving them a distinctive “lollipop” or “tennis-racket” appearance. They thrive in anaerobic environments, such as those found in deep puncture wounds.Once introduced into the body, the spores germinate into vegetative cells. These cells...

Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison

Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison

In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...

Depolarizing Blockers: Pharmocokinetics

Depolarizing Blockers: Pharmocokinetics

Depolarizing blockers are administered through intravenous injection. Succinylcholine is the most common choice of depolarizing blockers in emergency clinical practices. Although they have a rapid onset, they readily diffuse away from the motor end plate into the extracellular fluid. They are metabolized by enzymes such as liver butyrylcholinesterase and plasma pseudocholinesterases. This produces a short duration of action, typically 5-10 minutes long, unlike nondepolarizing blockers, which...

Desensitization and Tachyphylaxis

Desensitization and Tachyphylaxis

Tachyphylaxis is described as a rapid decrease in response to a drug after repeated or continuous administration of the same drug dose. It is a phenomenon where the body becomes less responsive to a particular substance or intervention over time, requiring higher doses or stronger interventions to achieve the same effect. It results from adaptive changes in the body's receptors, signaling pathways, or physiological processes that occur in response to prolonged exposure to a stimulus.
Several...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Diagnostic labelling, antibiotic appropriateness and watch use for upper respiratory infections in Singapore primary care: A multicentre retrospective study.

Journal of global antimicrobial resistance·2026

Same author

Recommendations for screening for latent tuberculosis infection in people with rheumatic diseases: Consensus statement from the Singapore Chapter of Rheumatologists.

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore·2026

Same author

Climate change and antimicrobial resistance in the Western Pacific: a mixed-methods systematic analysis.

The Lancet regional health. Western Pacific·2026

Same author

Survey of physicians' approaches to the clinical evaluation of interstitial lung disease in Singapore (SoPhoCLES).

Journal of thoracic disease·2025

Same author

Plasmid dynamics driving carbapenemase gene dissemination in healthcare environments: a nationwide analysis of closed Enterobacterales genomes.

Nature communications·2025

Same author

ASEAN and the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review on the role and response of a regional organisation in a global health emergency.

BMJ global health·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Identification and Analysis of Myogenic Progenitors In Vivo During Acute Skeletal Muscle Injury by High-Dimensional Single-Cell Mass Cytometry

Identification and Analysis of Myogenic Progenitors In Vivo During Acute Skeletal Muscle Injury by High-Dimensional Single-Cell Mass Cytometry

Published on: December 1, 2023

Tetanus in an injecting buprenorphine abuser.

Felicia S W Teo¹, Li Yang Hsu, Khim Nian Sin Fai Lam

¹Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. felicia.teo.s.w@singhealth.com.sg

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore

|January 11, 2008

Summary

Injecting drug abuse, including buprenorphine, can lead to serious infections like tetanus. This case highlights a potentially lethal complication of parenteral drug use.

More Related Videos

Inducing Post-Traumatic Epilepsy in a Mouse Model of Repetitive Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury

Inducing Post-Traumatic Epilepsy in a Mouse Model of Repetitive Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: February 10, 2020

Cecal Ligation Puncture Procedure

Cecal Ligation Puncture Procedure

Published on: May 7, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Identification and Analysis of Myogenic Progenitors In Vivo During Acute Skeletal Muscle Injury by High-Dimensional Single-Cell Mass Cytometry

Identification and Analysis of Myogenic Progenitors In Vivo During Acute Skeletal Muscle Injury by High-Dimensional Single-Cell Mass Cytometry

Published on: December 1, 2023

Inducing Post-Traumatic Epilepsy in a Mouse Model of Repetitive Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury

Inducing Post-Traumatic Epilepsy in a Mouse Model of Repetitive Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: February 10, 2020

Cecal Ligation Puncture Procedure

Cecal Ligation Puncture Procedure

Published on: May 7, 2011

Area of Science:

Medical Case Study
Infectious Diseases
Toxicology

Background:

Intravenous drug users face high risks of infectious complications.
Buprenorphine abuse is increasingly recognized as a risk factor.

Observation:

A 49-year-old male presented with generalized spasms, dysarthria, and opisthotonus.
Clinical diagnosis of tetanus was made.
Toxicology confirmed buprenorphine use.

Findings:

The patient received supportive care in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Rapid recovery was observed with transfer out of the ICU after 8 days.
Parenteral buprenorphine abuse was confirmed retrospectively.

Implications:

This case underscores the uncommon but severe risks associated with parenteral buprenorphine abuse.
Highlights the need for awareness of infectious complications in drug abusers.
Emphasizes the importance of considering tetanus in patients with compatible symptoms and a history of parenteral drug use.