"Collective Intelligence": RKIB spoke about the diagnosis and treatment of tetanus

      The A.F. Agafonov Republican Clinical Infectious Hospital (RKIB) hosted another session of the educational project “Collective Mind” for infectious disease physicians and specialists from related fields. The meeting was devoted to the topic “Clinical Case Review: Tetanus.” The report was presented by Anna Kopylova, a resident of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Kazan State Medical University (KGMU). Invited as an expert was the head of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at KGMU, Professor V.A. Anokhin, Doctor of Medical Sciences. The meeting was moderated by Kh.S. Khaertynov, the chief freelance infectious disease specialist of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tatarstan, Doctor of Medical Sciences. Infectious disease specialists, therapists and pediatricians from across the republic were invited to listen to the report via videoconference.

      Dr. Kopylova spoke about the causative agent of the infection, the clinical manifestations of the disease and diagnostic methods. Special attention was paid to the review of the medical history of a patient treated at the Children’s Republican Clinical Hospital (DRKB).

      In June 2025 a 10-year-old child fell off a bicycle, catching his left leg on the chain. He presented to the district hospital with a fracture and was on the same day referred to the Almetyevsk Interdistrict Hospital (MMB), where surgical treatment was performed. The patient was then followed by a surgeon at his place of residence.

      A week after the injury the child began to complain of paroxysmal pains in the chest area. On presentation to the hospital trismus of the masticatory muscles was noted. The condition gradually worsened and convulsive twitches developed.

      District physicians organized a consultation with specialists from the Republican Coordination Centers of RKIB and DRKB. Based on the anamnesis and clinical manifestations, tetanus was suspected. In this clinical case the child had not been vaccinated due to the parents’ refusal of all vaccinations.

      For further examination and treatment the patient was transferred to the DRKB intensive care unit, where antitetanus serum and anticonvulsant therapy were initiated. Due to severe pain from increasingly frequent muscle spasms and dyspnea, elective endotracheal intubation was performed and the child was placed on mechanical ventilation for about a month. Throughout the treatment the patient was consulted by infectious disease doctors from Tatarstan, and a telemedicine consultation was conducted with City Children’s Clinical Hospital No. 9 named after G.N. Speransky in Moscow.

      After improvement the child underwent treatment in the medical rehabilitation department of the DRKB. At that time neurological symptoms persisted: limited movement of the ankle joint and convergent strabismus.

      As specialists note, despite the availability of highly effective vaccines against tetanus, the disease affects tens of thousands of people worldwide every year. Timely diagnosis and correct treatment are critical to preventing severe forms of tetanus and death.

      “This clinical example clearly demonstrates that vaccination is not an abstract ‘procedure’ but a concrete protection of a child from real threats that can confront children during perfectly ordinary activities,” Anna Kopylova said.

      Immunity does not develop after having the disease, so a person can become ill again. The only reliable protection against infection is vaccination. Vaccines used contain tetanus toxoid.

      More news about the event:

      Doctors from DRKB and RKIB saved a girl’s life after she contracted tetanus

      Doctors from the Republican Clinical Infectious Hospital and the Children’s Republican Clinical Hospital of Tatarstan successfully treated a child who contracted tetanus, the RKIB press service reports. 17:12 27.10.2025 TatPressa.Ru - Kazan

      Doctors from DRKB and RKIB saved a girl’s life after she contracted tetanus

      Doctors from the Republican Clinical Infectious Hospital and the Children’s Republican Clinical Hospital of Tatarstan successfully treated a child who contracted tetanus, the RKIB press service reports. 16:12 27.10.2025 GTRK Tatarstan - Kazan

      Doctors from DRKB and RKIB of Tatarstan saved a girl who contracted tetanus after a leg fracture

      Doctors from the Republican Clinical Infectious Hospital and the Children’s Republican Clinical Hospital of Tatarstan saved a child who contracted tetanus. 15:54 27.10.2025 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan

      “Collective Mind”: RKIB discussed the diagnosis and treatment of tetanus

      The A.F. Agafonov RKIB hosted another session of the educational project “Collective Mind” for infectious disease physicians and specialists from related fields. 14:47 27.10.2025 Ministry of Health of the RT - Kazan