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Clostridium tetani
Introduction
Classification
Taxonomy
- Class: Clostridia.
- Order: Eubacteriales.
- Family: Clostridiaceae.
- Genus: Clostridium.
- Species: tetani.
- There are strains of the bacterium, but all produce an antigenically homogeneous toxin.
Etymology
- Gk: kloster - spindle (resembling long sticks with a bulge (spore) at the end).
- Gk: tetanos - tension.
Distribution
- The bacterium is routinely isolated from the feces of many animals.
- Resistant spores of the bacterium can be found in the environment, especially in the soil, where increased moisture, cultivation, and fertilization favor their survival. They can also be found in dust and debris in indoor environments.
- Clostridium tetani is ubiquitous, but prefers environments with a temperature of at least 20°C/68°F and 15% humidity; such requirements may limit presence and growth in cold areas, eg Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, etc. Actually, the incidence of tetanus in humans is higher in warmer areas.
Significance
- It is the only etiologic agent of tetanus Tetanus.
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Resting Forms
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Clinical Effects
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Diagnosis
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Popoff M R (2020) Tetanus in animals. J Vet Diag Invest 32 (2), 184-191 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- Tiwari T S P, Moro P L & Acosta A M (2021) Tetanus. In: Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. 14th edn. Eds: Hall E, Wodi A P, Hamborsky J et al. Center for Disease Control and Prevention-DC Public Health Foundation, USA. pp 315-328.
- Greene C E (2012) Tetanus. In: Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 4th edn. Ed: Greene C E. Elsevier, USA. pp 423-431.