A 35-year-old female presents with generalized muscle rigidity, difficulty in swallowing and laryngeal spasms for the past one week. She has developed trismus over the past 2 days and has a pulse rate of 130 beats/minute and a respiratory rate of 35 breaths/minute on presentation. She gives a history of getting her ears pierced from a roadside jewellery seller 2 weeks ago. What is the most probable diagnosis?
Tetanus
Trismus, generalized muscle rigidity, dysphagia, laryngeal spasm, and autonomic instability (tachycardia, tachypnea) following a contaminated puncture wound (unsterile ear piercing) are classic features of generalized tetanus caused by Clostridium tetani exotoxin.
Important Questions from Bacterial Infections
Which of the following are major criteria under the Jones Criteria for Acute Rheumatic Fever?
1. Chorea
2. Erythema Marginatum
3. Subcutaneous Nodules
4. Polyarthralgia
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- Whipple's disease is characterized by the infiltration of small intestinal mucosa by 'foamy' macrophages. Which one of the following histological stains is characteristically used to stain them?
- A young male presented with recent onset urethral discharge and dysuria. On examination, the discharge was profuse and purulent. Microscopy of smears from the discharge revealed Gram-negative diplococci. What is the likely diagnosis?
- Cat-scratch disease is caused by infection of which of the following organisms?
Which of the following drugs is/are useful in the treatment of Listeria monocytogenes infection?
1. Ceftriaxone
2. Gentamicin
3. Ampicillin
4. Sulfamethoxazole
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
