What is the Difference Between Tetanus Toxoid and Tetanus Immunoglobulin

The key difference between tetanus toxoid and tetanus immunoglobulin is that tetanus toxoid is a medication that contains modified tetanospasmin, which provides active immunity against tetanus, while tetanus immunoglobulin is a medication that mainly contains IgG antibodies, which provide passive immunity against tetanus.

Tetanus is caused by tetanospasmin, which is a bacterial protein produced by the Clostridium tetani. When these bacteria invade the body, they produce a poison called tetanospasmin, responsible for painful muscle contractions. Another name for this disease is “lockjaw.” Often, tetanus causes a person’s neck and jaw muscles to lock. This disease also makes it hard to open the mouth or swallow. Tetanus toxoid and tetanus immunoglobulin are two medications that are used to treat tetanus.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Tetanus Toxoid  
3. What is Tetanus Immunoglobulin
4. Similarities – Tetanus Toxoid and Tetanus Immunoglobulin
5. Tetanus Toxoid vs Tetanus Immunoglobulin in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Tetanus Toxoid vs Tetanus Immunoglobulin

What is Tetanus Toxoid?

Tetanus toxoid is a medication that contains modified tetanospasmin, which provides active immunity against tetanus. Tetanus is a serious disease that causes convulsions and severe muscle spasms that can be strong enough to cause bone fractures of the spine. Tetanus causes death in 30 to 40 % of the cases. Tetanus toxoid is also known as the tetanus vaccine. The tetanus toxoid vaccine was developed in 1924 and came into general use for soldiers in World War II. The use of this medication resulted in a 95% decrease in the rate of tetanus. During childhood, five doses are recommended, with a sixth given during adulthood. Usually, after three doses, almost everyone is initially immune. However, additional doses are recommended every ten years to maintain immunity against tetanus. Moreover, a booster dose should be given within 48 hours of an injury to people whose immunization is out of date.

This vaccine is generally very safe, including in pregnancy and in those with HIV/AIDS. However, redness and pain at the site of injection occur in between 25 % and 85 % of people. Fever, fatigue, and minor muscle pain can also occur in less than 10 %. Furthermore, severe allergic reactions can be seen in less than one in 100,000 people.

What is Tetanus Immunoglobulin?

Tetanus immunoglobulin is a medication that mainly contains IgG antibodies, which provide passive immunity against tetanus. It is also known as anti-tetanus immunoglobulin or tetanus antitoxin. Tetanus immunoglobulin is used to prevent tetanus in those who have a wound that is at high risk and have not been fully vaccinated with the tetanus vaccine. Tetanus immunoglobulin is also used to treat tetanus along with antibiotics and muscle relaxants. This medication is given as an injection into a muscle.

The common side effects include pain at the site of the injection and fever. Allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis may also rarely occur. Sometimes, there is also a very low risk of the spread of infections such as viral hepatitis and HIV/AIDS with the human version. Moreover, the use of tetanus immunoglobulin is also recommended during pregnancy. It is made from either human or horse blood plasma. In addition, the use of the horse version became popular in the 1910s, while the human version came into frequent use in the 1960s.

What are the Similarities Between Tetanus Toxoid and Tetanus Immunoglobulin?

• Tetanus toxoid and tetanus immunoglobulin are two medications used to treat tetanus.
• Both medications contain proteins.
• They provide immunity against Clostridium tetani.
• Both medications are generally safe and can also be used in pregnancy.
• They are on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.
• They are given through injections.

What is the Difference Between Tetanus Toxoid and Tetanus Immunoglobulin?

Tetanus toxoid is a medication that contains modified tetanospasmin, which provides active immunity against tetanus, while tetanus immunoglobulin is a medication that contains mainly IgG antibodies, which provide passive immunity against tetanus. Thus, this is the key difference between tetanus toxoid and tetanus immunoglobulin. Furthermore, tetanus toxoid is a medication that contains antigens, while tetanus immunoglobulin is a medication that contains antibodies.

The below infographic presents the differences between tetanus toxoid and tetanus immunoglobulin in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Tetanus Toxoid vs Tetanus Immunoglobulin

Tetanus toxoid and tetanus immunoglobulin are two essential medications used to treat tetanus. Tetanus toxoid contains modified tetanospasmin that provides active immunity against tetanus, while tetanus immunoglobulin mainly contains IgG antibodies, which provide passive immunity against tetanus. So, this is the summary of the difference between tetanus toxoid and tetanus immunoglobulin.

Reference:

1. “Tetanus Toxoid Injection: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.” WebMD.
2. “Tetanus Immune Globulin (Intramuscular Route) Description and Brand Names.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1 Feb. 2022.

Image Courtesy:

1. “DPT-IPV-japan Quattro back” By メルビル – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Bottle of tetanus antitoxin, Germany. Full view, graduated g Wellcome L0058962 (cropped)” By Welcome Image Gallery (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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