Tetanus: historical and palaeopathological aspects considering its current health impact
Galassi FM, Bianucci R, Donell ST, Vittori V, Nerlich A, Martini M, Varotto E.
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.
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