Epidemiological Profile of Accidental Tetanus in Brazil (2010–2024)

Accidental tetanus is an acute, non-contagious infectious disease caused by the bacillus Clostridium tetani. It may present in a localized form, involving a few muscle groups, or in a generalized form affecting the entire skeletal musculature, characterized by muscle contractures and spasms. Knowledge of its epidemiology is essential for the formulation of public policies and treatment strategies aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality. This epidemiological study aimed to analyze accidental tetanus cases in Brazil between 2010 and 2024, using secondary data obtained from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Year of notification, age group, sex, pregnancy, clinical outcome and self-reported race/skin color were evaluated. From 2010 to 2024, 3,600 confirmed cases of accidental tetanus were recorded in Brazil. The Northeast region accounted for the highest number (1,202), followed by the Southeast (771), South (741) and Center-West (410) regions. Adults aged 40 to 59 years were the most affected (1,388), followed by the 20 to 39 years (690) and 60 to 69 years (327) age groups. Extremes of age (<1 year and ≥80 years) represented only 0.5% and 4% of cases, respectively. In the analysis by race/skin color, most cases occurred in mixed-race individuals (51.9%), followed by White (32.2%), Black (8.2%), Yellow (0.9%) and Indigenous individuals, who accounted for only 10 cases during the entire period. There was a predominance of males, who accounted for 84.8% of notifications, while females accounted for 15.2%. Only 0.75% of cases occurred in pregnant women, with most records lacking information on gestational trimester. Regarding race/skin color, 51.9% of cases occurred in Brown individuals, 32.2% in White, 8.2% in Black, 0.9% in Yellow and 0.3% in Indigenous people. Of all cases, 52.5% evolved to cure, 32% to clinical worsening or other reported outcomes, and 2.5% resulted in death. Cases with unknown outcomes accounted for 12.9%. The data show that accidental tetanus in Brazil between 2010 and 2024 predominantly affected adult men aged 40 to 59 years, with higher incidence in the Northeast region and among mixed-race individuals. Although most cases evolved to cure, the substantial proportion of severe outcomes and deaths evidences the need to intensify preventive measures, such as vaccination campaigns, especially in more vulnerable regions and population groups.