Clostridium tetani is a soil-dwelling bacterium that causes the disease tetanus. The bacterium was discovered in 1884 and its toxin causes painful muscle spasms and contractions. Tetanus enters the body through wounds exposed to contaminated soil and is transmitted worldwide, especially in warm climates. Symptoms include lockjaw, muscle stiffness, spasms and seizures. Prevention is through regular vaccination and thorough wound cleansing. Treatment focuses on medical ventilation, muscle relaxants, antibiotics and surgically removing infected tissue.
2. Clostridium Tetani
The primary symptoms of
Tetanus are caused by
tetnospasm which is a
nerve toxin.
3. History of Clostridium Tetani
Arthur Nicolaier (1862-1942) discovered the tetanus
bacterium in 1884.
However tetanus only became a reportable disease in the
1940’s.
A vaccine was developed in the mid 1940’s.
Tetanus severity and mortality rate is done by score.
0-1 is 10% mortality rate.
2-3 is 10-20% mortality rate.
4 is 20-40% mortality rate.
5-6 is 50% or more mortality rate.
There was a severe outbreak in Sumatra during the year of
2005.
In Banda Aceh there were 40 cases and 20 deaths.
In Meulaboh there were 7 cases and 5 deaths.
4. Etiology
The tetanus bacillus, is a spore-forming, anaerobic, gram-
positive bacillus.
The tetanus organism is a wound contaminant that causes
neither tissue destruction nor an inflammatory response.
The tetnospasm bacteria is a exotoxin.
5. Mode of Transmition
Tetanus can be found in soil.
The disease is transmitted when said soil gets into a open
cut or wound.
It is found around the world but is most common in areas
with warmer climates.
6. Symptoms
Sometimes lockjaw is the first symptom.
People often experience different first symptoms.
One of said symptoms is “Lockjaw”, the involuntary clenching of the jaw
muscles.
Others begin with a headache and irritability.
The later symptoms include muscle stiffness and muscle
spasms.
A high fever is common.
Involuntary contradictions of the facial muscles create an
eerie smile.
Contradictions of the trunk muscles bend a person into a “U”
shape, having only their head and feet touch the ground.
Seizures, loss of bowel and bladder control are often
common.
Sadly the person remains conscious throughout this ordeal
and is in extreme pain.
7. Prevention
The most common and easiest way to avoid getting tetanus
is to receive the tetanus vaccine.
The vaccine is part of the regular childhood immunization
series.
Thorough wound cleansing is also very important.
8. Treatment
Most people are paralyzed and put on a medical ventilator.
Muscle relaxants and anti-seizure medicine is also very
important.
Treating the wound also means removing the bacteria.
This usually means giving TIG (Tetanus immune globulin), anti-biotics
and then surgically removing an area of tissue around the wound.
9. Bibliography
Greene, A. (2007). Alan Greene Content: Tetanus. Retrieved
March, 31, 2009, from
http://www.drgreene.com/21_1204.html
Tolan, R. (2009). Tetanus. Retrieved March, 31, 2009, from
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/972901-overview
Internet, T. (2009). The Internet Wiki Guide to Tetanus.
Retrieved March, 31, 2009, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetanus