Question

What is “tetanus”? What organism causes it? How is it typically acquired? What is the virulence factor of most importance in this disease? How does this virulence factor cause the symptoms of tetanus? Discuss the disease state The specific organism including all aspects covered in class lecture. Discuss how the disease is treated and/or controlled.

Answer 1

Tetanus is a bacterial infection which adversely affects the nervous system and tightening of the muscles throughout the body. This is also known as lockjaw as the muscle around the jaw and neck are tightly contracted. It can be life threatening if the right treatment is not provided to it. It is caused by bacterium Clostridium tetani. There are occurrence of spasms and other related problems due to spasms. The bacteria is responsible for producing toxins which interfere with muscle contractions and hence leads to stiffness and locked muscle movement.

The spores of the causing bacteria are found in dust, dirt and other products which are reproductive bodies. The people who are infected by such spores that enters through the bloodstream and is spread across the central nervous system. They produce a toxin called as tetanospasmin which blocks the nerve signals from spinal cord to muscles and leads to spasms in the muscle.

The virulence of tetanus is a exotoxin which is produced by C.Tetani spores. It invades the host tissues and secrete – tetanolysin and tetanospasmin. The former does not have any type of pathogenecity but the later is a neurotoxin and its heavy chain binds to presynaptic motor neurons. The light chain prevents release of glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid from inhibitory neurons to muscles and it leads to muscle rigidity and spasm.

Symptoms

• Muscle spasm and muscular rigidity is the most common symptom where the muscles become stiff. The stiffness starts with muscle chewing.
• It makes it difficult for the patient to chew as the spasm spread to neck and throat causing condition of dysphagia.
• Difficulty in breathing due to stiffness in neck and chest and some patients also have numbness in limb muscles.
• Blood stool and diarrhea.
• High heart rate.

Treatment

It can be treated with help of tetanus toxoid vaccination and it is highly recommended that a booster vaccination is given after 10 years. Every child is vaccinated for tetanus at very young age.

Use of antibiotics like penicillin to kill the bacteria in system

Use of muscle relaxers to control muscle spasms