[Tetanus in Libreville: hospital analysis of 30 cases]

We investigated 34 cases of tetanus in patients younger than 75 years old in Libreville. We found that the incidence of tetanus was 8 cases for every million people. The disease mostly affected people younger than 50 (85%). Only two neonatal tetanus cases were reported. The death rate was 74%, despite the availability of intensive care and respiratory assistance. We stress the benefits of tetanus immunization, which must be continued, and suggest the use of intrathecal serotherapy for the cure of tetanus in Libreville.