Tetanus after trauma despite post-exposure prophylaxis with human tetanus immunoglobulin: A case report

Tetanus is an acute, life-threatening disease caused by Clostridium tetani infection through breaches in the skin or mucous membranes, typically following traumatic injury. While human tetanus immunoglobulin (HTIG) is the preferred passive immunizing agent, documented cases of prophylaxis failure are rare despite theoretical possibilities. We present a case of generalized tetanus that developed 1 month after HTIG administration following trauma. This report highlights the potential failure of HTIG prophylaxis and analyzes its contributing factors to inform clinical practice.