Tetanus

Question 1

Tetanus

Answer 1

Clostridium tetanus toxin

Question 2

Type of organism / pathogen

Answer 2

Bacteria

Question 3

Distribution

Answer 3

Africa

Asia

Question 4

Reasons for distribution

Answer 4

Poverty & pollution of water systems
3rd world countries
Developing countries

Question 5

Symptoms

Answer 5

Muscle riding
Lockjaw
Painful spasms
Neck stiffness
Nerve failure
Heart attack

Question 6

Diagnosis

Answer 6

Physical exam
Immunisation history
Signs and symptoms

Question 7

Treatment

Answer 7

Neutralisation of unbound toxin with anti toxin injections

Anti convulsive drugs

Question 8

Preventions

Answer 8

Immunisation every 10 years

Question 9

Economic importance

Answer 9

Vaccination cost billions for society and health care system

Question 10

Ecology

Answer 10

Spores get into wounds and germinate anaerobic conditions and multiple.
Neurotoxins are produced and spread in the blood and binds to the end of motor neurons
Toxins track along motor neuron to nerve cell bodies in the spinal cord.
Toxins bind to the presynaptic nerve endings which stops the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters and stops muscle responses to sensory stimulation

Question 11

Transmission

Answer 11

Enters via skin injuries on fomites
Can be zoonotic
Spores spread in soil via animal faeces
Spores get into wounds from trauma, puncture, tattoo, surgery or injections