Clostridium Tetani-Rhesus Research Flashcards
What is the result of gram staining of Clostridium tetani
Gram positive
What is the oxygen susceptibility of Clostridium tetani
Obligate anaerobes
What are the two spore forming gram positive bacteria
Bacillis and clostridium
Where is Clostridium tetani found and how does it enter the host
Found in soil, and enters the host via a puncture wound
What are the clinical presentations of Clostridium tetani infections
- Rigid paralysis
- Rhesus sardonicus (evil grin)
- Lock jaw
- opisthosomas (typical back arching)
What is rhesus sardoniicus and what causes it
The evil grin look and caused by Clostridium tetani
What is opisthosomas and what causes it
The back arching during tetany caused by Clostridium tetani
Where does Clostridium tetani stay during infection
At the site of the puncture wound
What is causing the symptoms seen in infection with Clostridium tetani
Exotoxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium tetani, not the bacteria itself
Which direction will the tetanus toxin travel
Retrograde from MN to the spinal cord
How does the tetanus toxin from Clostridium tetani work
Cleaves the snare protein and prevents exocytosis of GABA and Glycine
Which cells in particular are affected by Clostridium tetani toxin
Renshaw cells
What is the form of vaccine against Clostridium tetani
Is a toxoid, which is the toxin conjugated to a protein, leading to an antibody response to the toxin
