• A Korber, N Graue, J Rietkotter, E Kreuzfelder, S Grabbe, and J Dissemond.
• Dermatology Clinic and Outpatient Clinic, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
• Dermatology (Basel). 2008 Jan 1; 217 (1): 69-73.

BackgroundTetanus disease is caused by Clostridium tetani and is one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. Despite international recommendations for patients with a chronic leg ulcer, there has been a distinctive lack of protection provided by vaccination for these patients in the past decades.MethodsWithin the context of our prospective clinical investigation we consecutively determined the concentrations of immunoglobulin G antibodies against C. tetani in 100 patients with a chronic leg ulcer between January 2005 and November 2006.ResultsA total of 38 patients were male, and 62 were female. Their mean age was 71 years (25-94). In a total of 47% (n = 47; 13 male, 34 female, mean age: 76 years) of the patients, insufficient immunoglobulin G antibody concentrations were detected. Particularly the subanalysis indicated an insufficient tetanus protection provided by vaccination in 70% of the people aged >or=80 years.ConclusionA chronic wound, e.g. in the form of a leg ulcer, is known as a potential entrance for C. tetani. Unlike acute wounds, however, it is hardly ever considered to be a reason for assessment of the tetanus immune status. The results of our investigation clarify that particularly elderly people suffering from a leg ulcer have to be tested for tetanus protection provided by vaccination more strictly than ever, and if necessary, vaccinations have to be renewed.Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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