Abstract
Introduction
Tetanus remains a problem of immense concern worldwide. Management of tetanus with its attendant complications are challenges to the physician and its prevention is the chief priority. The choice of tetanus prophylaxis for patients with wounds depends on obtaining their vaccination history, which has been demonstrated to be unreliable. The tetanus antibody test may avoid inadequate prophylactic measures and reduce costs.
Purpose
This study is conducted to determine the feasibility of rapid tetanus antibody test (SD Bioline) in the accident and emergency department.
Methods
A randomized prospective study was conducted on 50 patients, divided into two groups—A and B with 25 patients each respectively. Group A had patients with a history of tetanus immunization <5 years elapsed from the last booster dose. Group B had patients who did not know the immunization status or more than 5 years elapsed from the last booster dose of tetanus immunization. Groups A and B were further classified into Group 1 and Group 2 based on whether the wound is tetanus prone or a clean wound respectively. Tetanus antibody test was done using whole-blood from the patients by finger prick.
Results
Among the 50 patients, 25 (50 %) were classified as ‘unprotected’ according to the history. Thirteen of the 25 patients showed tetanus antibody positive. In Group A, only 9 of the 25 patients showed tetanus antibody positive.
Conclusion
The rapid tetanus antibody test in the emergency room could make tetanus prevention more accurate with improved technical feasibility. The test may eliminate unnecessary injecting of vaccine, reduce the cost and can be performed at the hospital setting.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bhatia R, Prabhakar S, Grover VK (2002) Tetanus. Neurol India 50:398–407
Lu B, Craven M, Morgan S, Clark D (2010) Evidence review rapid test for tetanus immunity CEP10001. nhscep.useconnect.co.uk
Kurtz LH (1964) Tetanus in treatment of patients with multiple trauma. J Natl Med Assoc 56:178
Maria P-K, Pamela R-W, Michael K, Batya T (2008) Pretravel consultation: rapid dipstick test as a decision guidance for the application of tetanus booster vaccinations. J Trav Med 15:437–441
Moran GJ, Talan DA, Abrahamian FM (2008) Antimicrobial prophylaxis for wound and procedures in the emergency department. Infect Dis Clin N Am 22:117–143
Stubbe M, Mortelmans L, Desruelles D, Swinnen R, Vranckx M, Brasseuret E et al (2007) Improving tetanus prophylaxis in the emergency department: a prospective, double-blind cost-effectiveness study. Emerg Med J 24:648–653. doi:10.1136/emj.2007.048520
Colombet I, Saguez C, Pors M, Coudert B, Chatellier G, Espinozaet P et al (2005) Diagnosis of tetanus immunization status: multicenter assessment of a rapid biological test. Clin Diagn Lab Immun 12:1057–1062
Sedgwick AK, Ballow M, Sparks K, Tilto RC (1983) Rapid quantitative microenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for tetanus antibodies. J Clin Microbiol 18:104–109
Lee JE, Lee SY (2007) Evaluation of SD BIOLINE tetanus kit. Korean J Lab Med 27:192–196
The immunological basis for immunization series module 3: tetanus update (2006) http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2007/9789241595551_eng.pdf
Suppliers’ manual, S.D. Bio standard Diagnostics PVT. Ltd. Available at, http://www.standardia.com
Acknowledgments
Authors thank S.D. Bio Standard Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. for test kit and Manipal University for providing the facilities during the course of study.
Conflict of interest
None.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chithra, A., Cariappa, K.M., Kamath, A.T. et al. Role of Rapid Tetanus Antibody Test in Accident and Emergency Department. J. Maxillofac. Oral Surg. 14, 784–788 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-014-0695-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-014-0695-8