Work

Tetanus: historical and palaeopathological aspects considering its current health impact

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The present article summarises the historical and palaeopathological evidence of tetanus, an ineradicable yet vaccine-preventable infectious disease caused by Clostridium tetani. The antiquity of the disease is described thanks to historical written sources, artistic references and very recent palaeogenetic data. A recollection of now long-supplanted therapies is offered together with a focus on the introduction of an effective vaccine. Moreover, a potential identification of tetanus in the Bible is analysed and general considerations on the current health relevance of tetanus are presented.

Source: Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene

DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2024.65.4.3376

Authors: Galassi, Francesco Maria, Bianucci, Raffaella, Donell, Simon T, Vittori, Valentina, Nerlich, Andreas, Martini, Mariano, Varotto, Elena

Institutions: University of Łódź, Université Paris-Saclay, Laboratoire Anthropologie, Archéologie, Biologie, University of East Anglia, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, University of Genoa, Flinders University

Language: English

Topic: Diphtheria, Corynebacterium, and Tetanus

Subfield: Endocrinology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4408162383

FWCI: 0.267

Cites: 18

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10