Clostridium tetani is a soil-dwelling bacterium that causes the disease tetanus. The bacterium was discovered in 1884 and its toxin causes painful muscle spasms and contractions. Tetanus enters the body through wounds exposed to contaminated soil and is transmitted worldwide, especially in warm climates. Symptoms include lockjaw, muscle stiffness, spasms and seizures. Prevention is through regular vaccination and thorough wound cleansing. Treatment focuses on medical ventilation, muscle relaxants, antibiotics and surgically removing infected tissue.

1. Clostridium Tetani
By: Thomas Shin

2. Clostridium Tetani
The primary symptoms of

Tetanus are caused by
tetnospasm which is a
nerve toxin.

3. History of Clostridium Tetani
Arthur Nicolaier (1862-1942) discovered the tetanus

bacterium in 1884.
However tetanus only became a reportable disease in the

1940’s.
A vaccine was developed in the mid 1940’s.

Tetanus severity and mortality rate is done by score.

 0-1 is 10% mortality rate.
 2-3 is 10-20% mortality rate.
 4 is 20-40% mortality rate.
 5-6 is 50% or more mortality rate.
There was a severe outbreak in Sumatra during the year of

2005.
 In Banda Aceh there were 40 cases and 20 deaths.
 In Meulaboh there were 7 cases and 5 deaths.

4. Etiology
The tetanus bacillus, is a spore-forming, anaerobic, gram-

positive bacillus.
The tetanus organism is a wound contaminant that causes

neither tissue destruction nor an inflammatory response.
The tetnospasm bacteria is a exotoxin.


5. Mode of Transmition
Tetanus can be found in soil.

The disease is transmitted when said soil gets into a open

cut or wound.
It is found around the world but is most common in areas

with warmer climates.

6. Symptoms
Sometimes lockjaw is the first symptom.

People often experience different first symptoms.

 One of said symptoms is “Lockjaw”, the involuntary clenching of the jaw
muscles.
 Others begin with a headache and irritability.
The later symptoms include muscle stiffness and muscle

spasms.
A high fever is common.

Involuntary contradictions of the facial muscles create an

eerie smile.
Contradictions of the trunk muscles bend a person into a “U”

shape, having only their head and feet touch the ground.
Seizures, loss of bowel and bladder control are often

common.
Sadly the person remains conscious throughout this ordeal

and is in extreme pain.

7. Prevention
The most common and easiest way to avoid getting tetanus

is to receive the tetanus vaccine.
The vaccine is part of the regular childhood immunization

series.
Thorough wound cleansing is also very important.


8. Treatment
Most people are paralyzed and put on a medical ventilator.

Muscle relaxants and anti-seizure medicine is also very

important.
Treating the wound also means removing the bacteria.

 This usually means giving TIG (Tetanus immune globulin), anti-biotics
and then surgically removing an area of tissue around the wound.

9. Bibliography
Greene, A. (2007). Alan Greene Content: Tetanus. Retrieved

March, 31, 2009, from
http://www.drgreene.com/21_1204.html
Tolan, R. (2009). Tetanus. Retrieved March, 31, 2009, from

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/972901-overview
Internet, T. (2009). The Internet Wiki Guide to Tetanus.

Retrieved March, 31, 2009, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetanus