(VIII)Sporing Anaerobic Gram Positive Rods (4) *Clostridium Tetani Flashcards
Characterize (3) : Clostridium tetani
(1) Gram (+) rod
(2) Obligate anaerobe
(3) Spores
Clostridium tetani infection
Found in:
[…]
Virulence factor + Mechanism: […]
Clinical Presentation:
[…]
Clostridium tetani infection
Found in:
- soil, animal feaces (contracted through wound infection)
Virulence factor + Mechanism: Tetanospasmin: very potent neurotoxin which inhibits release of inhibitory neurotransmittors to LMNs –> LMNs only receive excitatory stmuli (spastic paralysis)
Clinical Presentation:
Tetanus – spastic paralysis
- Local signs: pain & stiffness at site of infection
- symptoms: lockjaw/trismus (masseter affected early), risus sardonicus
- Serious symptoms: opisthotonus (all muscles of back contract, body assumes rigid posture determined by the stronger of each antagonistic set of muscles), autonomic disturbance and eventually CVS derangements, respiratory failure
***Note: infection itself does not produce immunity to the toxin
Contrast tetanus spastic paralysis to botulism flaccid paralysis!
Neonatal Tetanus –> “Every child has a wound” = the umbilicus!!!
What is the treatment for tetanus?
[…]
How about prevention?
[…]
What is the treatment for tetanus?
5 course treatment: Wound cleaning/debridement + HTIG (Human Tetanus Immunoglobulin)+ antibiotic (metronidazole/penicillin) + Immunization booster/full course + Intensive support therapy (muscle relaxants/ventilator)
How about prevention?
DTaP vaccine, booster every 10 years
Need to immunize because infection itself does not produce immunity to the toxin!!!
HTIG = Human Tetanus Immune Globulin
