Tetanus immunoglobulin

Immunosera, which were once very widely used in the prophylaxis and treatment of many infections, are little used today, as vaccines have made some immunosera unnecessary and lack of proven therapeutic benefit has caused others to be relegated to immunological history. Tetanus antitoxin is an exception in that it is a very effective prophylactic that is still used in countries where there are inadequate supplies of tetanus immunoglobulin. Human immunoglobulins have important but limited uses. 

Antibodies Derived from Human Donors Hepatitis A and B immunoglobulins, measles immunoglobulins, rabies immunoglobulin, and tetanus immunoglobulin. 

Tetanus immunoglobulin Human Specificity against toxin of Clostridium tetani... 

Tetanus immunoglobulin is an example of an antibody preparation used to induee passive immunization against a mierobial toxin. Tetanus (lockjaw) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium, Clostridium tetani. Bacterial spores can commonly contaminate surface wounds and the resulting bacterial cells produce a toxin as they multiply. The toxin interferes with normal neurological function, particularly at neuromuscular junctions. The result is spasmodic contraction of muscles and, if untreated, mortality rates are high. Treatment with antibiotics and anti-toxin, however, is highly effective if administered promptly. 

Booster dose In previously immunized persons, a booster dose of 0.5 ml IM should be given every five years to maintain adequate level of immunity. The need for tetanus vaccine in wound management depends both on the condition of the wound and immunisation history of the patient. For tetanus prone wound, tetanus immunoglobulin may also be required. 

What is human tetanus immunoglobulin (anti-tetanus immunoglobulin) ... 

Human tetanus immunoglobulin is a solution of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) containing a high level of anti-tetanus toxin antibodies. It is prepared from the plasma of screened, human donors immunised against tetanus toxin and is administered by intramuscular injection. The product also contains isotonic sodium chloride, glycine, as a stabiliser, sodium acetate and a small amount of sodium hydroxide used to maintain pH. The product is generally well-tolerated. 

The anti-tetanus antibodies bind specifically to tetanus toxin and neutralise the toxin by inhibiting its binding to neuromuscular receptors. This product is used in cases where there is a likely risk of tetanus infection or where clinical tetanus is observed. Human tetanus immunoglobulin should be administered as soon as possible after possible infection. 

Anti-tetanus immunoglobulin is an example of passive immunisation (refer to Immunoglobulins in BNF for other examples). It is designed to give immediate, short-term protection. It does not confer long-term immunity to tetanus and Ms.AR should be advised that her son should be immunised with the tetanus vaccine at an appropriate time. A full course of the tetanus vaccine should ensure protection for several years. 

TETANUS TOXOID, TETANUS TOXOID ADSORBED, AND TETANUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN ... 

Besides the production of polio and tetanus immunoglobulins, the fast growing company concentrated on the fractionation of human plasma on a larger scale. To this end, plasmapheresis was introduced as early as 1963 to increase the supply of human plasma. The application of Cohn s method of cold ethanol fractionation gradually enabled the production of a variety of common preparations, but also e.g. coagulation factor concentrates (factor VII, VIII and IX). Today the company processes about 10 % of the world supply of human plasma. 

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