StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Ceftriaxone, Tetanus Toxoid and a Probable Cause of Death - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The author of the paper will begin with the statement that ceftriaxone was used in order to treat a possible case of bacterial encephalitis (“Encephalitis Treatment,” 2011). Moreover, this medication is given when someone was bitten by an animal (“Ceftriaxone Injection,” 2011)…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.8% of users find it useful
Ceftriaxone, Tetanus Toxoid and a Probable Cause of Death
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Ceftriaxone, Tetanus Toxoid and a Probable Cause of Death"

Catfish fins are known to have poisons that cause inflammation, but it is the bacterial infections following the puncture that bring about these symptoms: “severe pain, reduced blood flow, muscle spasms, and respiratory distress” (Ross, 2009). These symptoms somehow tie up with what the man in the case study had: spasms and hyperventilation, which is a sign of respiratory distress and a possible result of reduced blood flow. The immediate cause of these symptoms must have been the bacterial infection that followed after the fin punctured the man’s skin or if pieces of the fin probably broke off in the wound (Ross, 2009).

Nevertheless, it is also possible that catfish venom alone produced the “muscle spasms and respiratory distress” (“Venomous Catfish,” 2009). There are no documented cases, however, of deaths from catfish venom or that it causes encephalitis. In fact, the symptoms of the man before his death – hallucinations and muscle spasms – were similar to those caused by rabies (“Rabies,” 2011). Rabies, however, could not have been caused by catfish.Moreover, although Ceftriaxone was used, its effectiveness could not be guaranteed since it is used only in cases of encephalitis caused by bacteria, and this particular case may have been caused by a virus.

There was no mention of any diagnostic test conducted by the attending physician before the patient was given Ceftriaxone, and the medication was given only based on the mere information that he was punctured by a catfish fin. Therefore, Ceftriaxone may not have been able to remedy the situation if it had been actually viral. The tetanus toxoid, on the other hand, was used to treat or prevent possible tetanus that may have been caused by the puncture. There are cases, however, where the tetanus toxoid may have caused side effects such as hyperventilation, tetanic spasms, meningoencephalitis, damage to the cranial nerves causing an inability to swallow, and most of all – death through anaphylactic shock (Gaublomme, n.d.).

All these symptoms match those of the man – hyperventilation, muscle spasms, and difficulty swallowing. The tetanus toxoid might have therefore been responsible for the man’s symptoms and consequent death. After all, encephalitis may develop in a person as a result of an “allergic reaction to vaccinations” (“Encephalitis,” 2010). Ceftriaxone, Tetanus Toxoid, Granulocytosis and a Probable Cause of Death If granulocytosis occurs as a result of bacterial infection, then the condition of the man in the case study was probably bacterial in origin and not viral.

Rabies could not, therefore, have been the cause. Besides, based on several websites, rabies is associated with agranulocytosis and not granulocytosis (“Maine CDC,” 2011). Encephalitis was the next possibility because a subtype, paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis, is associated with granulocytosis (Pelosof & Gerber, 2010). Nevertheless, this is not bacterial in origin.However, if there is one other thing that could have caused granulocytosis, it must have been the tetanus toxoid for it can cause eosinophilic granulocytosis (Tavassoli, 1989, p. 38). Besides, the symptoms of the allergic reaction to tetanus toxoids include hyperventilation, tetanic spasms, and anaphylactic shock, which were all the symptoms exhibited by the man before he died (Gaublomme, n.d.).

These symptoms are characteristic of encephalitis (“Encephalitis,” 2010). Furthermore, it is possible that an allergic reaction to tetanus toxoid caused the encephalitis (“Encephalitis,” 2010). Ceftriaxone, on the other hand, was a treatment for bacterial encephalitis (“Encephalitis Treatment,” 2011). The cause of the man’s death, however, was probably not bacterial encephalitis since encephalitis is not commonly associated with granulocytosis, except for paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis, which is actually not caused by bacteria (“Encephalitis Treatment,” 2011).

Another possibility that the Ceftriaxone shot was ineffective was that the encephalitis if it was indeed caused by a biological organism, was probably viral since “most cases are viral in origin” and that the rate of occurrence is only “1 case per 200,000 population in the United States” (Lazoff et al., 2011). Although it was possible, it was probably not bacterial encephalitis that killed the man but a viral one. Nevertheless, due to the fact that granulocytosis is not commonly associated with viral encephalitis, the evidence on the tetanus toxoid as the cause of encephalitis is heavier and would, therefore, if proven right, imply that Ceftriaxone was useless as a treatment for the man.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Microbiology Case Study: Encephalitis, Texas Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/biology/1583698-microbiology-case-study-encephalitis-texas
(Microbiology Case Study: Encephalitis, Texas Essay)
https://studentshare.org/biology/1583698-microbiology-case-study-encephalitis-texas.
“Microbiology Case Study: Encephalitis, Texas Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/biology/1583698-microbiology-case-study-encephalitis-texas.
  • Cited: 3 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Ceftriaxone, Tetanus Toxoid and a Probable Cause of Death

Determining Bacterial Toxin Concentration

The altered eukaryotic metabolism includes damage to the cell membrane resulting in the cell lysis, damage caused by the alpha-toxin brings lysis of human monocytes, lymphocytes, erythrocytes, platelets and also the endothelial lining cells; inhibition of protein synthesis could be seen in Shigella toxicity as it directly affects the elongation of chain eventually leading to the cell death (Schmitt).... Bacterial toxins could be defined as the substance that amend or modify the normal metabolism of the host cells while they cause harmful effects on the host cells....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Anthrax and Tetanus as Diseases Caused By Spore-Forming Bacteria

hellip; Perhaps it is worthy to note that the major spore-forming bacteria are the clostridia and bacilli, which cause anthrax and tetanus respectively.... Spore-forming bacteria Perhaps it is worthy to note that the major spore-forming bacteria are the clostridia and bacilli, which cause anthrax and tetanus respectively.... This mechanism operates neurologically whereby the bacteria cause permanent and involuntary contraction of the muscles....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Probable Cause to Arrest

In the paper “probable cause to Arrest” the author assumes a law enforcement officer who has cause to arrest a defendant for armed assault, and he also has probable cause to believe that person is hiding in a third person's garage, which is attached to the house.... If the Officer has probable cause to believe the defendant to be armed and dangerous, these would be considered an exigent circumstance that merits a warrantless search of the garage to apprehend an armed and dangerous suspect....
4 Pages (1000 words) Case Study

The Danger Of The Encephalitis

The writer of the paper "The Danger Of The Encephalitis" discusses encephalitis and anaphylactic shock from the tetanus toxoid as the most likely cause of the man's death because tetanus toxoid can cause encephalitis with symptoms similar to those experienced by the man.... hellip; First of all, the man in the case study should have been diagnosed properly, especially with possible allergies to tetanus toxoid, which was the most likely cause of his death through encephalitis (“Tetanus,” 2011)....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

M2s - Intro to Neonatal Tetanus

Mothers are advised to report cases to the doctor or pharmacist if their babies are allergic to tetanus toxoid or any other vaccine.... The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) established in 2006, recommended that tetanus toxoid should be administered when booster protection is indicated during times of pregnancy.... In the late 1950's the death rate was greatly reduced due to a change in the vaccine.... In the late 1950's the death rate was greatly reduced due to a change in the vaccine....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

M5s- NeoNatal Tetanus, NO MORE

eferencesPreventing Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Among Adults: Use of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and Recommendation of ACIP, supported by the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), for Use of Tdap Among Health-Care Personnel.... Cases are reported to the CDC or to the WHO whom then keeps statistics and demographics regarding neonatal tetanus....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Ceftriaxone Antibiotic

One main cause of granulocytosis is bone marrow disorders.... (Mayo Clinic) Along with this tetanus toxoid was also administered so as to prevent tetanus.... (Mayo Clinic) Along with this tetanus toxoid was also administered so as to prevent tetanus.... (April Kahn)I think the most likely cause for the man's illness and death was a condition called encephalitis.... These infections then might have subsequently caused infection of the bone marrow so causing it to produce more granulocytes and hence the earlier diagnosis of Granulocytosis as well as elevated protein levels prior to his death....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Tetanus in Poor Communities

Though improvement is clear, neonatal tetanus remained as the leading cause of death.... The strategies employed in fighting the MTN included tetanus toxoid immunization of pregnant mother, promotion of hygienic, clean delivery procedures and surveillance.... Additional strategies required women of childbearing age in the affected regions to undergo a three-dose immunization process by vaccines containing tetanus toxoid (TT).... This indicates that there is a big margin between death reports from developing countries and developed countries....
8 Pages (2000 words) Term Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us