Clostridium tetani is a gram-positive, obligate anaerobic, spore-forming rod-shaped bacterium found in soil, intestines, feces and contaminated wounds. It produces an exotoxin called tetanospasmin that causes the acute disease tetanus, resulting in painful muscle rigidity and spasms. Tetanus spores can survive for years until entering the body through a wound, where they germinate and release the toxin that is carried through the bloodstream to nerve cells.

1. Clostridium tetani
Prepared by Joevani S. Peñol

2. • gram-positive, obligate anaerobic,
spore-forming rod shape bacterium
• drumstick appearance.
MORPHOLOGY

3. • Heat resistant spores and usual
antiseptics.
• survive autoclaving at 121 C for 10-15
minutes.
• resistant to phenol and other chemical
agents.
RESISTANCE

4. • soil
• intestine
• feces of livestocks
• Manure-treated soil
• skin surfaces
• contaminated heroin
RESISTANCE

5. • Organism is sensitive to heat.
• Sensitive to oxygen.
SENSITIVITY

6. Tetanus
• acute, often fatal, disease caused by an
exotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani.
• rigidity and convulsive spasms of skeletal
muscles.
• involves the jaw (lockjaw) and neck and then
becomes generalized.
EPIDEMIOLOGY

7. • Enters through the wound.
• Spores germinate in the presence of anaerobic
condition.
• Tetanospasmin spread in through blood and
lymphatic.
• Interferes with release of neurotransmitters,
blocking inhibitor impulses.
PATHOGENESIS

8. • 3 to 21 days
• Neonatal tetanus, symptoms usually appear
from 4 to 14 days after birth
INCUBATION PERIOD

9. Man Suffering from Tetanus

10. • LOCAL (Uncommon)
• CEPHALIC (Rare)
• GENERALIZED (Common)
CLASSES

11. • persistent contraction of muscles in
the same anatomic area as the injury.
• Precede the onset of generalized
tetanus, but is generally milder.
• 1% of cases are fatal.
LOCAL

12. • Occurs with otitis media (ear infections)
• Head injuries.
• Involvement of the cranial nerves,
especially in the facial area.
CEPHALIC

13. • Trismus
• stiffness of the neck and difficulty in
swallowing
• rigidity of abdominal muscles.
• rise of 2°-4°C above normal temp.
• sweating and elevated blood pressure
• episodic rapid heart rate
• Spasms
GENERALIZED

14. • Occurs in infant
• infection of the unhealed umbilical
• estimated >270,000 deaths worldwide per
year.
NEONATAL TETANUS

15. • Tetanospasmin
VIROLENCE FACTOR

16. VIROLENCE FACTOR
• Mechanism of Action

17. • Mouse inoculation
DIAGNOSIS

18. • Medical Management
 Tetanus immune globulin (TIG)
Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG)
• Wound Management
proper immunization
PREVENTION & CONTROL

19. • Temporary Immunity
IMMUNITY

20. IMPACT TO EDUCATION &
COMMUNITY