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Clostridium Tetani Infections

Bacteria that infect the human body may cause damage to tissues and organs directly or indirectly. Clostridium tetani live in the environment and produce spores to survive harsh conditions. When C. tetani enter the body as the result of a deep laceration or puncture wound, the spores germinate and produce a toxin. C. tetani toxin paralyses muscles, which is a condition known as tetanus. A vaccine is available to prevent tetanus.

  1. Bacterial Infections

    • Bacteria that enter the body and cause disease are pathogens, which may cause disease directly when they destroy tissues as they reproduce and move around inside the body. They cause disease indirectly when the immune system's response causes tissue destruction or when the bacteria's metabolism byproducts cause tissue destruction or disease.

    Clostridium tetani

    • Clostridium tetani is a species of bacteria that are found everywhere in the environment, particularly in dirt or soil. C. tetani bacteria are anaerobes, bacteria that do not use oxygen. In the presence of oxygen or any other stress (like dry conditions), C. tetani bacteria form spores. Spores are hard shells around the bacteria to keep them safe. When the spores enter the body through a deep wound, the conditions inside the body are perfect for the spores to germinate, and the bacteria multiplies.

    Tetanus

    • As C. tetani bacteria reproduce inside the human body, they produce a toxin. This toxin acts on the nerve endings leading to the muscles, causing them to contract and stay contracted--a condition called tetanus. Tetanus is also called "lockjaw" because victims of the disease are unable to open their jaws since the muscles that keep the jaw shut are contracted by the toxin. Untreated tetanus progresses to all the muscles in the body, including the muscles that aid in breathing. Ultimately, death may ensue.

    Treatment and Prevention

    • Treatment for tetanus includes administering anti-toxin to counteract the effects of any toxin in the body. Antibiotics are also given to kill the bacteria and stop the production of new toxin. The patient may be put on mechanical ventilation if the muscles that aid in breathing are compromised. In order to prevent tetanus, a vaccine is available. The vaccine contains a toxoid, an attenuated version of the toxin. Deep puncture wounds or lacerations should be washed with soap and water to get rid of any bacteria that may germinate within the wound. If the vaccine has not been administered within 10 years of the wound, a booster shot may be given.

    Other Clostridium Infections

    • Clostridium perfringens bacteria produce a toxin that causes gas gangrene at the site of the infection. Clostridium botulinum is the bacteria responsible for botulism, a paralytic disease that results from ingestion of C. botulinum spores or toxin in food. Clostridium difficile bacteria are a problem in health care settings, where patients on heavy antibiotics have their normal intestinal flora eliminated. C. difficile takes over and causes bloody diarrhea and inflammation of the colon.

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