Haemophilus Influenza Meningitis In An Eleven-Year-Old Male Child With Tetanus: A Case Report

Abstract

Tetanus is an infectious disease of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord mediated by toxins elaborated by Clostridium tetani. Though a preventable disease, it occurs throughout the world and remains an important cause of death. At this point in time, well beyond the mid decade goals, tetanus is still a common morbidity in children in Nigeria. Infection with the bacterium Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) can result in meningitis and other severe infections primarily among infants and children less than five years of age. It is uncommon to find meningitis co-existing with tetanus. We report the case of a child with tetanus and Haemophilus influenza meningitis seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City.

Keywords: Haemophilus Influenza, Satellitism, Meningitis, Tetanus, Child, Nigeria.