2. Members of genus Clostridium are relatively
large, anaerobic, Gram-positive, spore forming rods
Many clostridia are members of the normal flora of
the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals

3. Morphology

4. Thioglycolate
broth

5. Clostridium tetani

6. Morphology
• Gram positive bacilli
• Spores (terminal & bulging)
Drumstick appearance
• Non capsulated
• Motile
Culture
• Strict anaerobe
• Complete haemolysis

7. C. tetani produces two toxins:
1.Tetanolysin
2.Tetanospasmin
A neurotoxin responsible for the symptoms of
tetanus and is encoded on a plasmid .

8. Pathogenesis

10. Treatment:
Human Tetanus Immunoglobulin (HTIG) given IM
(human better than horse)
- Wound debridement
- Metronidazole
Prevention:
DPT Vaccine 2, 4 & 6 months & booster doses

12. 1) C. tetani has the following morphology:
a)Gram negative cocci arranged in pairs
b)Gram positive cocci arranged in chains
c)Gram positive club-shaped bacilli
d)Gram positive bacilli with terminal bulging
spores
e)Gram positive capsulated diplococci

13. 2) All of the following are methods of
anaerobic culture EXCEPT:
a)Robertson cocked meat media
b)Anaerobic jar
c)Thioglycolate broth
d) Deep agar
e)Blood agar

14. 3) Clostridium tetani causes:
a) Gas gangrene
b) Tetanus
c) Botulinum food poisoning
d) Antibiotic associated diahrrea
e) Scarlet fever

15. 4) Clostridium tetani:
a) Causes flaccid paralysis
b) Is an aerobic bacillus
c) Has two toxins: tetanolysin and tetanospasmin
d) Produces an enterotoxin as the virulence factor
e) Is treated by a toxoid