[Generalized tetanus complicating a traditional medicine applied for snakebite].

In many of Africa's rural areas, snakebite victims often resort to traditional healers for first line treatment. This may be source of infectious complications. We report a case of generalized tetanus which occured after 15 days in a 13-years old boy who had applied a traditional, plant-based concoction on a snake bite. He presented with trismus, generalized contractures and fever extended musculo-aponevrotic necrosis of the right upper limb, without loss of consciousness. The only accompanying biological sign was an increased leukocyte count (11,200/mm3) with a predominance of neutrophils (84%). Platelets count, creatinin and AST/ALT titers and haemostasis were all normal, as was the radiogram of the right hand. The clinical outcome was favourable after 3 weeks hopital care (antibiotic, muscle relaxants, antitetanus serotherapy and local wounds care). This clinical observation shows that traditional care for snake bite wounds can be an entry point for tetanus. Appropriate treatment of snake bites in a hospital setting is of the utmost importance, in addition to vaccination against tetanus, in order to reduce the incidence of tetanus in African countries.