3. Tetanus Toxin & BoTox Flashcards
What are toxinoses (intoxications)? Give examples
Disease caused by toxin (little or no colonisation)
E.g.
- Botulism/tetanus - Clostridium botulinum/tetani (A-B toxin)
- Food poisoning - Clostridium perfringens (pore-forming toxin)
- Toxic shock - Staphylococcus aureus (superantigen)
True or False: Clostridium tetani itself causes tetanus
False - the toxin it produces causes tetanus
True or False: Clostridia is a very diverse genus
True
Are all Clostridia pathogenic?
No
What is the vaccine against tetanus?
A toxoid - toxin is taken and purified → inactivated using chemicals → vaccine injected into kids → Antobodies produced against tetanus toxin
What bacterium produces the toxin that causes tetanus?
Clostridium tetani
What bacterium produces the toxin that causes botulism?
Clostridium botulinum
Describe Clostridium tetani & Clostridium botulinum
Gram positive, spore formers, strictly anaerobic (absolutely cannot grow in the presence of oxygen)
Where is the botulinum toxin commonly found?
Toxin produced in food (or wound), often canned foods, foods with areas of anaerobiosis
What is a bulged can of food an indication of?
That bacteria is growing
How common is botulism? What is the fatality rate?
Rare - about 25 cases per year in US. Around 10% fatality
Who are particularly susceptible to botulism?
Infants
Botulism symptoms?
Flaccid paralysis, blurred vision, inability to swallow, difficulty speaking, descending weakness of skeletal muscles & respiratory paralysis
How common is tetanus? What is the fatality rate?
750,000-1,000,000 cases per year, around 50-70% fatality
How do most cases of tetanus arise?
From small puncture wounds or lacerations which become contaminated with C. tetani spores that germinate & produce toxin
True or False: A large amount of C. tetani spores are needed for severe reaction
False - only a small amount are needed