Prophylactic effect of ornidazole on experimental tetanus in mice

Tetanus is still responsible for many deaths, especially in the developing parts of the world. In this study, the prophylactic effect of ornidazole on experimental tetanus in mice was investigated. The initial minimum lethal dose (MLD) of Clostridium tetani spores was determined in mice and 100 MLD was applied to mice in experiments. Ornidazole was then administered at the dose of 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg/kg. In addition, penicillin and horse tetanus serum were also administered to other groups. According to the present results, ornidazole decreased the number of deaths in mice significantly in a dose and drug administration time dependent manner. These results suggest that, together with essential wound care and active immunization, ornidazole (or another nitroimidazole) may be a useful and supportive therapeutic agent in tetanus prophylaxis.