A 7-year-old boy is evaluated for a foot wound. He sustained a splinter injury to his left foot while playing in the yard several days ago and has continued to have purulent drainage from the wound. The patient has no significant medical history and is up to date with all recommended vaccinations. Wound examination reveals a small retained foreign body with surrounding necrotic tissue and pus. Anaerobic culture of the wound swab grows thin, gram-positive rods with terminal spore, which is biochemically identified as Clostridium tetani. Which of the following most likely protected this patient from developing neurological symptoms of the infection?

Question

A 7-year-old boy is evaluated for a foot wound.  He sustained a splinter injury to his left foot while playing in the yard several days ago and has continued to have purulent drainage from the wound.  The patient has no significant medical history and is up to date with all recommended vaccinations.  Wound examination reveals a small retained foreign body with surrounding necrotic tissue and pus.  Anaerobic culture of the wound swab grows thin, gram-positive rods with terminal spore, which is biochemically identified as Clostridium tetani.  Which of the following most likely protected this patient from developing neurological symptoms of the infection?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Clostridium tetani produces the neurotoxin tetanospasmin, which blocks inhibitory neurotransmission in the spinal cord and leads to tonic muscular contraction.  Tetanus is prevented by immunization with an inactivated toxoid that triggers the production of antitoxin antibodies (active immunity).

A 7-Year-Old Boy Is Evaluated for a Foot Wound