Tetanus rigidity

Tetanus is a disease caused by the release of neurotoxins from the anaerobic, spore-forming rod Clostridium tetani. The clostridial protein, tetanus toxin, possesses a protease activity which selectively degrades the pre-synaptic vesicle protein synaptobrevin, resulting in a block of glycine and y-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release from presynaptic terminals. Consistent with the loss of neurogenic motor inhibition, symptoms of tetanus include muscular rigidity and hyperreflexia. The clinical course is characterized by increased muscle tone and spasms, which first affect the masseter muscle and the muscles of the throat, neck and shoulders. Death occurs by respiratory failure or heart failure. 

Unlabeled Uses Muscle contraction, headache, external sphincter spasticity, muscle rigidity, opisthotonos-associated with tetanus... 

The local injection of 0.1 to 2% procaine or other anesthetics blocks the centripetal proprioceptive impulses and thereby relaxes muscular tonus, normal and abnormal, such as spasmodic torticollis. It effects almost instantaneous relief of the pain, stiffness, malposition, and incapacity of fibrositis, lumbago, and acute sprains and fractures. The site of greatest tenderness may be infiltrated with 10 to 30 cc of 1 or 2% procaine hydrochloride. Injected systemically, it relaxes traumatic tetanus and removes decerebrate rigidity, so that spontaneous movements of the limbs and of the respiration return. Its curare action may also be concerned in this effect. It relaxes parkinsonian, but not myotonic, rigidity. 

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. 

Curare is often used as a general term to describe a wide variety of highly toxic plant extracts. Curare was originally used by South American Indians as an arrow poison that caused paralysis of skeletal muscle of prey being hunted. Curare was first used medically as a muscle relaxant in 1912. An extract from Chondrodendron tomentosum has been used clinically to reduce spasms in patients with tetanus and those treated with shock therapy, and to treat muscular rigidity and spastic paralysis. Curare is also used as an adjunct to general anesthesia. 

Tetanus Toxin CAS — (frequently of the jaw muscle) progressing to rigid paralysis. Generalized spasms can be induced by sensory stimulation. neurotoxin that blocks the release of acetylcholine. An antitoxin is available. Clostridium tetani. 

Strychnine and tetanus (muscle rigidity) Opiates Phenothlazines and antipsychotic dmgs Sedative-hypnotics Tricyclic antidepressants... 

Tetanus, causing chest wall muscle rigidity. 

C. Neonatal tetanus occurs frequently in developing countries, owing to inadequate maternal immunity and poor hygiene, especially around the necrotic umbilical stump. Localized tetanus has been reported, involving rigidity and... 

C. Muscle relaxant. These drugs can be used for relaxation of excessive muscle rigidity and contractions (eg, caused by strychnine poisoning or black widow spider envenomation or rigidity syndromes with hyperthermia or dyskinesias or tetanus). 

Dantrolene is not likely to be effective for hyperthennia caused by conditions other than muscular hyperactivity, such as increased metabolic rate (eg, salicylate or dinitrophenol poisoning), neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), impaired heat dissipation (eg, anticholinergic syndrome), or environment exposure (heat stroke). However, there is anecdotal evidence (case reports or case-control studies) of benefit for the management of NMS, MAO inhibitor (phenelzine poisoning)-induced hyperthermia, muscle rigidity from baclofen withdrawal, hypertonicity from carbon monoxide poisoning, tetanus, and black widow spider envenomation. 

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