Pharmacology
Immunoglobulins and Vaccines
A 85 year old veteran presents to ED with a puncture wound on his leg sustained on a rusty nail whilst out walking his dog this morning. The wound looks clean and has stopped bleeding. He is uncertain of his tetanus vaccination history and is concerned about the possibility of tetanus. Which of the following should this patient receive in ED:
Answer:
This is a tetanus-prone wound and the patient is uncertain of his vaccination history; given his age it is very possible he has not received a course of tetanus vaccinations. The patient should therefore receive human tetanus immunoglobulin at the usual dose of 250 IU (the wound has been sustained < 24 hours ago and is not high-risk) and the tetanus vaccine at a different site. He should complete the tetanus vaccine schedule as necessary with his GP.Management of Tetanus-Prone Wounds
Pharmacology / Immunoglobulins and Vaccines
Last Updated: 21st May 2025
Tetanus is an acute disease caused by the action of the tetanus neurotoxin (tetanospasmin) produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, an anaerobic spore forming bacillus. Tetanus spores are widespread in the environment, including in soil and manure. They can survive hostile conditions for long periods of time. Transmission occurs when spores are introduced into the body, often through a puncture wound but also through trivial, unnoticed wounds, through injecting drug use, and occasionally through abdominal surgery. The bacteria grow anaerobically at the site of the injury and have an incubation period of between four and 21 days (most commonly about ten days).
Definition of tetanus-prone wounds
Tetanus-prone wounds include:
- puncture-type injuries acquired in a contaminated environment and likely therefore to contain tetanus spores e.g. gardening injuries
- wounds containing foreign bodies
- compound fractures
- wounds or burns with systemic sepsis
- certain animal bites and scratches - although smaller bites from domestic pets are generally puncture injuries animal saliva should not contain tetanus spores unless the animal has been routing in soil or lives in an agricultural setting
High risk tetanus-prone wounds are any of the above with either:
- heavy contamination with material likely to contain tetanus spores e.g. soil, manure
- wounds or burns that show extensive devitalised tissue
- wounds or burns that require surgical intervention that is delayed for more than six hours are high risk even if the contamination was not initially heavy
Thorough cleaning of wounds is essential.
Clean wounds are defined as:
- wounds less than 6 hours old, non-penetrating with negligible tissue damage
Management of tetanus-prone wounds
| Immunisation Status | Clean Wound | Tetanus Prone Wound | High Risk Tetanus Prone Wound |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Important considerations:
- An adequate priming course is defined as at least 3 doses of tetanus vaccine at appropriate intervals. (N.B. This definition of “adequate course” is for the risk assessment of tetanus-prone wounds only. The full UK schedule is five doses of tetanus containing vaccine at appropriate intervals.)
- The dose of human tetanus immunoglobulin (IM-TIG) is normally 250 IU by intramuscular injection, or 500 IU if more than 24 hours have elapsed since injury or there is a risk of heavy contamination or following burns.
- In the absence of IM-TIG, the human normal immunoglobulin (HNIG) product Subgam 16% can be used instead.
- Tetanus vaccine should be injected at a different site from immunoglobulin so that it is not 'neutralised' by the passive immunisation.
- Patients who are severely immunosuppressed may not be adequately protected against tetanus, despite having been fully immunised. In the event of an exposure they may require additional boosting and/or immunoglobulin.
- For those whose immunisation status is uncertain, and individuals born before 1961 who may not have been immunised in infancy, a full course of immunisation is likely to be required.
- For those who are incompletely immunised, further doses should be offered to complete the recommended schedule to protect against future exposures.
Report A Problem
Is there something wrong with this question? Let us know and we’ll fix it as soon as possible.
Loading Form...
- Biochemistry
- Blood Gases
- Haematology
| Biochemistry | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| Sodium | 135 – 145 mmol/l |
| Potassium | 3.0 – 4.5 mmol/l |
| Urea | 2.5 – 7.5 mmol/l |
| Glucose | 3.5 – 5.0 mmol/l |
| Creatinine | 35 – 135 μmol/l |
| Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) | 5 – 35 U/l |
| Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) | < 65 U/l |
| Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) | 30 – 135 U/l |
| Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) | < 40 U/l |
| Total Protein | 60 – 80 g/l |
| Albumin | 35 – 50 g/l |
| Globulin | 2.4 – 3.5 g/dl |
| Amylase | < 70 U/l |
| Total Bilirubin | 3 – 17 μmol/l |
| Calcium | 2.1 – 2.5 mmol/l |
| Chloride | 95 – 105 mmol/l |
| Phosphate | 0.8 – 1.4 mmol/l |
| Haematology | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| Haemoglobin | 11.5 – 16.6 g/dl |
| White Blood Cells | 4.0 – 11.0 x 109/l |
| Platelets | 150 – 450 x 109/l |
| MCV | 80 – 96 fl |
| MCHC | 32 – 36 g/dl |
| Neutrophils | 2.0 – 7.5 x 109/l |
| Lymphocytes | 1.5 – 4.0 x 109/l |
| Monocytes | 0.3 – 1.0 x 109/l |
| Eosinophils | 0.1 – 0.5 x 109/l |
| Basophils | < 0.2 x 109/l |
| Reticulocytes | < 2% |
| Haematocrit | 0.35 – 0.49 |
| Red Cell Distribution Width | 11 – 15% |
| Blood Gases | Normal Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.35 – 7.45 |
| pO2 | 11 – 14 kPa |
| pCO2 | 4.5 – 6.0 kPa |
| Base Excess | -2 – +2 mmol/l |
| Bicarbonate | 24 – 30 mmol/l |
| Lactate | < 2 mmol/l |
