What disease is produced by the neurotoxin Clostridium tetani?

What disease is produced by the neurotoxin Clostridium tetani?

Tetanus is an acute, often fatal, disease caused by an exotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. It is characterized by generalized rigidity and convulsive spasms of skeletal muscles. The muscle stiffness usually begins in the jaw (lockjaw) and neck and then becomes generalized.

What is Clostridium tetani found in?

Tetanus is an acute infectious disease caused by spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani. The spores are found everywhere in the environment, particularly in soil, ash, intestinal tracts/feces of animals and humans, and on the surfaces of skin and rusty tools like nails, needles, barbed wire, etc.

Can Clostridium tetani cause gangrene?

Tetanus is a condition caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, a cousin of the bacteria that cause gangrene and botulism. It remains a serious worldwide public health problem, killing over 70,000 people each year.

What type of pathogen is Clostridium tetani?

The pathogen Clostridium tetani is an obligate anaerobic Gram-positive bacillus. The tetanus bacillus forms spores that can be found in soil and house dust, and in animal and human faeces. The spores remain viable for years in the environment and are resistant to boiling and freezing.

How do C. tetani endospores cause disease in humans?

tetani enter an anaerobic wound . Since the bacterium is an obligate anaerobe, an anaerobic environment is needed for the endospores to germinate and the vegetative bacteria to grow. Vegetative bacteria eventually produce tetanospasmin, the toxin responsible for symptoms of tetanus.

Is Clostridium tetani archaebacteria or eubacteria?

Clostridium tetani
Clostridium tetani forming spores
Scientific classification
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Bacillota

What is the epidemiology of tetanus?

Tetanus occurs more often in persons who have never been vaccinated against tetanus or who have not had a booster dose in the past 10 years. Tetanus occurs worldwide but is more common in agricultural regions of warmer climates, especially where contact with animal manure is more likely.

How does Clostridium tetani move?

C. tetani are motile bacteria and move by the means of rotary flagellum in the peritrichous orientation.