Abstract

MATEO ESTOL, Bárbara Iliana et al. Case Report of Tetanus in an Elderly Person. ccm [online]. 2017, vol.21, n.4, pp. 1219-1226. ISSN 1560-4381.

Tetanus is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, anaerobic toxin producer, found outdoors, mainly in the soil and animal excrement, which affects the nervous system. The case of an older adult of rural origin was presented, who was admitted due to a change in coloration, an increase in volume and temperature of the lower left limb, as well as difficulty speaking and eating food. On physical examination: hypocoloured mucous membranes, warm skin, increased volume with change of coloration in left lower limb, tachycardic heart tones, stupor, trismus, generalized rigidity in table, tonic-clonic seizures and presence of sardonic laughter. The symptoms and signs, as well as the complementary examinations, point towards this diagnosis. The patient died 8 days later due to a pulmonary thromboembolism.

Keywords : tetanus; trismus; sardonic laugh.

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