Adverse reactions to tetanus toxoid
R. L. Jacobs, R. S. Lowe and B. Q. Lanier
A retrospective review of 740 charts of patients with a history of adverse
reaction to tetanus toxoid immunization was undertaken. The most common
reactions, by history, were local edema and tenderness (33%), fever (15%),
and anaphylactoid response (33%). Three patients who had a vesicular
eruption at the immunization site were found to have delayed
hypersensitivity to mercury. Thirty percent of the patients had received
tetanus toxoid within one year and 55% within five years of evaluation.
Reactive responses to immediate skin tests were exceedingly rare (less than
1%). None of the challenge patients suffered an adverse reaction.
