Infections tetani

Hills S. (1946) The isolation of CL tetani from infected talc. NZMedJ, 45, 419-423. 

Figure 13.9 k soldier wounded at the Battle of Corunna (a battle in the Peninsular War) suffering simultaneous contraction of all muscles after infection with the bacterium, Clostridium tetani. Both agonist and antagonist muscles are active in this condition. The bacterium is found in the earth, especially in places where animal faeces have been present. Bacteria invade the body through a wound, especially in soldiers in battle. The bacterium secretes a toxin that is absorbed into the motor nerves which then become acutely responsive to mild stimuli. It can lead to death unless treated (from Bell 1824). The toxin is now used in cosmetic manipulation to stimulate contraction of muscles in the face to tighten the skin which removes or conceals wrinkles (Botox). 

Infection usually occurs when spores of C. tetani are introduced into a wound from contaminated soil, farmyard manure or rusty metals. Burns more than 6 hours old are susceptible to infection. Tissues typically show devitalised areas around the wound site. 

Pathological syndromes may result in muscular spasm, as seen in the exertional myopathies, or weakness, as seen in hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP). Similarly, infectious diseases may result in muscular rigidity (C. tetani infection (tetanus)) or paralysis (C. botulinum intoxication (botulism)). Overt rhabdomyolysis may result from the ingestion of the coccidiostats monensin, rumensin and lasalocid, or one of a number of plant mycotoxins. Dietary deficiencies of selenium or vitamin E have also been described as having severe deleterious effects on skeletal muscle health. 

Tetanus is not an infectious disease but relates to the production of a toxin by germinating spores and vegetative cells of Clostridium tetani that might infect a deep puncture wound. The organism, which may be introduced into the wound from the soil,... 

Microorganisms that contaminate medicines and cause disease in patients may be classified as true pathogens or opportunist pathogens. Pathogenic organisms like Clostridium tetani and Salmonella spp. rarely occur in products, but when present cause serious problems. Wound infections and several cases of neonatal death have resulted from use... 

For reasons that are not completely understood, wounds are much more likely to be contaminated by Clostridium tetani than with Clostridium botulinum. Although an aggressive vaccination program has nearly eliminated tetanus in developed nations, the absence of universal tetanus vaccination in many third world countries results in over 300,000 cases annually. A large number of these occur in neonates, often by infection of the umbilical stump. ... 

Background Common anaerobes include Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium difficile and Fusobacterium. C. botulinum and C. tetani produce toxins responsible for botulism and tetanus, respectively. Metronidazole, chloramphenicol or clindamycin are effective against anaerobic infections. 

The clostridial neurotoxins are the most toxic substances known to science. The neurotoxin produced from Clostridium tetani (tetanus toxin) is encountered by humans as a result of wounds and remains a serious public health problem in developing countries around the world. However, nearly everyone reared in the western world is protected from tetanus toxin as a result of the ordinary course of childhood immunizations. Humans are usually exposed to the neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum (ie, the botu-linum toxins, of which there are seven in all) by means of food poisoning, although there are rare incidents of wound botulism and a colonizing infection of neonates known as infant botulism.1 Since the incidence of botulinum poisoning by all routes is very rare,... 

Bacterial infections Effective with staphylococci, streptococci, Clostridium tetani, urinary tract infections, nocardiosis, otitis media... 

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