Topic:Tetanus
Tetanus in horses is a serious condition caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which is commonly found in soil, dust, and manure. The bacterium produces a potent neurotoxin that affects the nervous system, leading to muscle stiffness and spasms. Horses are particularly susceptible to tetanus due to their environment and the likelihood of sustaining wounds that can become contaminated. Clinical signs of tetanus in horses include stiffness, difficulty moving, and an elevated tail. Preventative measures, such as vaccination, are essential to mitigate the risk of infection. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tetanus in equine populations.
Intrathecal antitetanus serum (horse) in the treatment of tetanus. In a two-year study of 322 conservatively treated, consecutive cases of tetanus in a rural hospital (all over twelve months old), intrathecal administration of 200 units of antitetanus serum (A.T.S.) (horse) reduced the overall mortality of 4-5% (5/110) compared with 14-5% (16/111) in the control series. 200 units intrathecal A.T.S. (horse) gave better results than 1500 units A.T.S. (horse). The results with lumbar and cisternal administration did not differ. It is suggested that tetanus is a polysystemic condition requiring polysystemic therapy. A regimen in which intrathecal A.T.S. is given ...
Treatment of tetanus in the horse by injections of tetanus antitoxin into the subarachnoid space. In 40 horses with tetanus, large doses of tetanus antitoxin (TAT) were injected into the subarachnoid space. In all the horses that recovered, the disease stabilized immediately after the injection. The results (77.5% recovery) were much better than in a previous series of horses with tetanus (50% recovery), in which TAT was injected either intravenously, intramuscularly, or in the epidural space.
[Prevention of tetanus in man and animal following injury]. The effect of heterologous and homologous antitoxin is the same if an equal amount of antitoxin is present in the organism. In man there are no circulating antibodies in the blood after the first injection of the toxoid because there is no natural immunity against the tetanus antigen. After the second injection, man develops the same immunity as animals. Large antitoxin doses protect people for a longer period than small doses. Normally 3,000 I. U. of the heterologous antitoxin protects people for 2 to 3 weeks. In man and sheep 2 ml of the adsorbed vaccine produces an earlier and longer-lastin...
Comparative trial of three heterologous anti-tetanus sera. The three heterologous anti-sera currently provided for tetanus prophylaxis have been compared with reference to the production of untoward reactions in 498 patients, and to the blood antitoxin concentrations produced in 76 patients. Equine serum, although giving rise to more reactions, was the only effective agent in terms of the levels and duration of serum antitoxin concentration produced. The local response to a test dose of any of the three sera is not a reliable guide to immediate or late general reactions.