Tetanus in a 67-year-old man

A fatal case of generalized tetanus in a 67-year-old man is presented. The incubation period following finger damage was short, and the diagnosis was confirmed by the isolation of Clostridium tetani. Subsequently, a partial surgical amputation of the infected finger during the clinically active stage of the disease did not remove all the infecting organisms. Although convincing evidence of any previous active immunization was lacking, no form of tetanus antitoxin was given at the time of injury. This case illustrates the potential dangers of unfamiliarity with tetanus owing to its low incidence in developed countries.