Tetanus (Medical Microbiology)

Tetanus Tetanus is an acute, often fatal, disease caused by an exotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani. It is characterized by generalized rigidity and convulsive spasms of skeletal muscles. The muscle stiffness usually involves the jaw (lockjaw) and neck and then becomes generalized. Minimal inflammation and even unnoticed wound in most of the cases.C. tetani is a slender, gram-positive, anaerobic rod that may develop a terminal spore, giving it a drumstick appearance. The vegetative organism is sensitive to heat and cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. Clostridium tetani The spores, in contrast, are very resistant to heat and the usual antiseptics surviving autoclaving at 121C for 10-15 minutes. The spores are also relatively resistant to phenol and other chemical agents.The spores are widely distributed in soil and in the intestines and feces of horses, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, and chickens. Spores also present in human skin.Cellular Morphology Rod shaped, pleomorphic 2-5 x 0.5-1 um Motile with peritrichous flagella Terminally located spores with greater diameter Cultural Characteristics Temperature range rom 20-45 C (optimum temp: 37 C) Alkaline pH 10% CO2 Require amino acids, vitamins, purines and oleic acid Blood agar, chopped meat glucose medium, egg yolk agar 2-5