PROPHYLACTIC EFFECT OF ORNIDAZOLE ON EXPERIMENTAL TETANUS IN MICE

Tetanus is still responsible for many deaths, especially in the develo ping parts of the world. In this study, the prophylactic effect of omi dazole on experimental tetanus in mice was investigated. The initial m inimum lethal dose (MLD) of Clostridium tetani spores was determined i n mice and 100 MLD was applied to mice in experiments. Ornidazole was then administered at the dose of 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg/kg. In additio n, penicillin and horse tetanus serum were also administered to other groups. According to the present results, ornidazole decreased the num ber of deaths in mice significantly in a dose and drug administration time dependent manner. These results suggest that, together with essen tial wound care and active immunization, ornidazole (or another nitroi midazole) may be a useful and supportive therapeutic agent in tetanus prophylaxis.