En France, le tétanos existe encore

Generalized tetanus, the main clinical manifestation caused by Clostridium tetani, used to be common worldwide. Since effective and systematic vaccination has been provided, it became extremely rare in developed countries. Yet, it is still a major public health issue, especially among newborns in settings where basic hygiene and access to vaccination are lacking. In France, it can also affect elderly people who missed boosters. Tetanus should always be considered in the differential diagnosis in case of signs like rigidity, spasms or convulsions. As specific treatment of central nervous system symptoms remains inexistent, attention should be focused on prevention and early detection. Here we report a recent typical case of tetanus illustrating the persistence of this threat in France.