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{{Tetanus}}
{{Tetanus}}
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==Overview==
==Overview==


The bacteria that causes tetanus, [[Clostridium tetani]] is introduced into the human body usually by a [[wound]]. The [[toxins]] produced by the bacterium, utilize the [[blood]] and/or [[lymphatics]] to gain access to target tissues. The [[toxins]] can act at various places in the [[central nervous system]], including the [[spinal cord]], [[peripheral]] motor end plates, and the [[brain]]. They can also act on the [[sympathetic nervous system]].
The bacteria that causes tetanus, [[Clostridium tetani]], is usually introduced into the human body by direct inoculation of an open [[wound]]. The [[toxins]] produced by the bacterium, utilize the [[blood]] and/or [[lymphatics]] to gain access to target tissues. The [[toxins]] can act at various places in the [[central nervous system]] including the [[spinal cord]], [[peripheral]] motor end plates, and the [[brain]]. Toxins can also act on the [[sympathetic nervous system]].<ref name="pmid10945801">{{cite journal| author=Farrar JJ, Yen LM, Cook T, Fairweather N, Binh N, Parry J et al.| title=Tetanus. | journal=J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry | year= 2000 | volume= 69 | issue= 3 | pages= 292-301 | pmid=10945801 | doi= | pmc=1737078 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=10945801  }} </ref><ref name="pmid14576357">{{cite journal| author=Lalli G, Gschmeissner S, Schiavo G| title=Myosin Va and microtubule-based motors are required for fast axonal retrograde transport of tetanus toxin in motor neurons. | journal=J Cell Sci | year= 2003 | volume= 116 | issue= Pt 22 | pages= 4639-50 | pmid=14576357 | doi=10.1242/jcs.00727 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=14576357  }} </ref>


==Pathophysiology==
==Pathophysiology==


Tetanus is caused by an [[exotoxin]] from [[Clostridium tetani]] that leads to [[acute]], often [[fatal]] illness. Generalized, widespread [[rigidity]] and [[skeletal muscle]] [[spasms]] are common presentations of tetanus. The muscle stiffness begins from the [[jaw]] ([[lockjaw]]) progressing to the [[neck]] and then becoming generalized. [[C. tetani]] is a terminal [[spore]] forming bacteria. The spores is very resistant to extremes of temperature and to the normally used [[antiseptics]]. The spores can be found in the soil as well as in the [[intestines]] and [[feces]] of cattle, dogs, sheep, horses, cats,  guinea pigs, rats, and chickens. The soil that has been treated with manure may contain huge amount of spores. Human adults related to agricultural work may also harbor the pathogen.  
Tetanus is caused by an [[exotoxin]] from [[Clostridium tetani]] that leads to [[acute]] and often [[fatal]] illness. Generalized, widespread [[rigidity]] and [[skeletal muscle]] [[spasms]] are common presentations of tetanus. The muscle stiffness begins from the [[jaw]] ([[lockjaw]]) progressing to the [[neck]] and then becomes generalized. [[Clostridium tetani|C. tetani]] is a terminal [[spore]] forming bacteria. The spores are  resistant to extremes of temperature and to the normally used [[antiseptics]]. The spores can be found in the soil as well as in the [[intestines]] and [[feces]] of cattle, dogs, sheep, horses, cats,  guinea pigs, rats, and chickens. Soil that has been treated with manure may contain a large quantity of spores. Human adults who work in agriculture may also harbor the pathogen.<ref name="pmid25065047">{{cite journal| author=Del Pilar Morales E, Bertrán Pasarell J, Cardona Rodriguez Z, Almodovar Mercado JC, Figueroa Navarro A| title=Cephalic tetanus following penetrating eye trauma: a case report. | journal=Bol Asoc Med P R | year= 2014 | volume= 106 | issue= 2 | pages= 25-9 | pmid=25065047 | doi= | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=25065047  }} </ref>
   
   
===Pathogenesis===
===Pathogenesis===
The pathogenesis of tetanus is as follows:<ref name="pmid10945801">{{cite journal| author=Farrar JJ, Yen LM, Cook T, Fairweather N, Binh N, Parry J et al.| title=Tetanus. | journal=J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry | year= 2000 | volume= 69 | issue= 3 | pages= 292-301 | pmid=10945801 | doi= | pmc=1737078 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=10945801  }} </ref><ref name="pmid14576357">{{cite journal| author=Lalli G, Gschmeissner S, Schiavo G| title=Myosin Va and microtubule-based motors are required for fast axonal retrograde transport of tetanus toxin in motor neurons. | journal=J Cell Sci | year= 2003 | volume= 116 | issue= Pt 22 | pages= 4639-50 | pmid=14576357 | doi=10.1242/jcs.00727 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=14576357  }} </ref><ref name="pmid12581644">{{cite journal| author=Rummel A, Bade S, Alves J, Bigalke H, Binz T| title=Two carbohydrate binding sites in the H(CC)-domain of tetanus neurotoxin are required for toxicity. | journal=J Mol Biol | year= 2003 | volume= 326 | issue= 3 | pages= 835-47 | pmid=12581644 | doi= | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12581644  }} </ref><ref name="pmid1331807">{{cite journal| author=Schiavo G, Benfenati F, Poulain B, Rossetto O, Polverino de Laureto P, DasGupta BR et al.| title=Tetanus and botulinum-B neurotoxins block neurotransmitter release by proteolytic cleavage of synaptobrevin. | journal=Nature | year= 1992 | volume= 359 | issue= 6398 | pages= 832-5 | pmid=1331807 | doi=10.1038/359832a0 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=1331807  }} </ref><ref name="pmid12729912">{{cite journal| author=Caccin P, Rossetto O, Rigoni M, Johnson E, Schiavo G, Montecucco C| title=VAMP/synaptobrevin cleavage by tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins is strongly enhanced by acidic liposomes. | journal=FEBS Lett | year= 2003 | volume= 542 | issue= 1-3 | pages= 132-6 | pmid=12729912 | doi= | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12729912  }} </ref><ref>{{Cite journal
| author = [[Martha H. Roper]], [[Jos H. Vandelaer]] & [[Francois L. Gasse]]
| title = Maternal and neonatal tetanus
| journal = [[Lancet (London, England)]]
| volume = 370
| issue = 9603
| pages = 1947–1959
| year = 2007
| month = December
| doi = 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61261-6
| pmid = 17854885
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal
| author = [[Martha H. Roper]], [[Jos H. Vandelaer]] & [[Francois L. Gasse]]
| title = Maternal and neonatal tetanus
| journal = [[Lancet (London, England)]]
| volume = 370
| issue = 9603
| pages = 1947–1959
| year = 2007
| month = December
| doi = 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61261-6
| pmid = 17854885
}}</ref>
*[[Clostridium tetani|C. tetani]] gains access to the human body through a [[wound]] contaminated with the organism or through an umbilical stump (in cases of neonatal tetanus) by contact with contaminated medical tools.
*The [[spores]] [[germinate]] in the wound because of their [[anaerobic]] character.
*Toxins are produced and spread through the [[blood]] and [[lymphatics]].
*[[Clostridium tetani|C. tetani]] produces two [[exotoxins]]
**[[Tetanolysin]],the function, of which, is not well understood
**[[Tetanospasmin]], a metalloprotease, which is a [[neurotoxin]] responsible for the [[spasticity]] associated with tetanus. [[Tetanospasmin]] is among the most potent toxins known to man.


*C. tetani gains access to the human body through a [[wound]].
* The minimum [[lethal dose]] of [[tetanospasmin]] for humans is around 2.5 nanograms per kg of body weight  or 175 nanograms for an individual who weighs 70-kg (154lb).
*The spores [[germinate]], because of their [[anaerobic]] character.
 
*Toxins are produced and spread through the [[blood]] and [[lymphatics]].
*The toxin uses retrograde transport along the nerve [[axon]] to reach the [[spinal cord]] and the [[brainstem]].
*C. tetani produces two exotoxins
*The toxins binds irreversibly with the receptors.
**[[Tetanolysin]], whose function is not well understood and
*The tetanus toxin cleaves the membrane proteins ([[SNARE]] proteins) that are responsible for expulsion of  inhibitory [[neurotransmitters]] at the neuronal [[synapses]].
**[[Tetanospasmin]] which is a [[neurotoxin]] responsible for the clinical picture of tetanus. Tetanospasmin is among the most potent toxins with respect to weight.  
*The disinhibition of [[Upper motor neuron|upper motor neurons]] affects the [[lower motor neurons]] responsible for carrying motor cortex [[Excitatory neurotransmitter|excitatory impulses]] affecting the [[Autonomic nervous system|autonomic neurons]] and the [[Anterior horn cells|anterior horn cells.]]
***The minimum [[lethal dose]] of [[Tetanospasmin]] for humans, according to an estimate, is around 2.5 nanograms per kg of body weight  or 175 nanograms for an individual who weighs 70-kg (154lb).
*The disinhibition involving [[anterior horn cells]] leads to an unopposed [[contraction]] of the muscles, leading to [[Hypertonia|excessive tone]] and [[Muscle spasm|muscular spasm]] which can be painful.  
*The release of various [[neurotransmitters]] that cause inhibition is altered by the tetanus toxin.
*The [[autonomic nervous system]] when disinhibited can lead to [[Seizure|seizures]].
*This intern leads to an unopposed contraction of the muscles which manifests as a spasm.  
*Neonatal tetanus develops within hours due to the shorter length of the [[axons]].
*The autonomic nervous system is also targeted leading to a seizure.


===Genetics===
The role of genetics in the development of tetanus has not been well established. It is, however, believed that the formation of tetanus toxin is induced by the depletion of amino acids.<ref name="pmid27492724">{{cite journal| author=Licona-Cassani C, Steen JA, Zaragoza NE, Moonen G, Moutafis G, Hodson MP et al.| title=Tetanus toxin production is triggered by the transition from amino acid consumption to peptides. | journal=Anaerobe | year= 2016 | volume= 41 | issue=  | pages= 113-124 | pmid=27492724 | doi=10.1016/j.anaerobe.2016.07.006 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=27492724  }} </ref>
===Microscopic Pathology===
===Microscopic Pathology===
[[Image:Clostridium tetani bacteria.jpg|center|thumb|Group of Clostridium tetani bacteria, responsible for causing tetanus in humans]]
[[Image:Clostridium tetani bacteria.jpg|left|thumb|Group of Clostridium tetani bacteria, responsible for causing tetanus in humans.- [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clostridium_tetani.jpg Source: Wikimedia Commons]]]
<br style="clear:left" />


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}
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Latest revision as of 00:24, 30 July 2020

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Usama Talib, BSc, MD [2]

Overview

The bacteria that causes tetanus, Clostridium tetani, is usually introduced into the human body by direct inoculation of an open wound. The toxins produced by the bacterium, utilize the blood and/or lymphatics to gain access to target tissues. The toxins can act at various places in the central nervous system including the spinal cord, peripheral motor end plates, and the brain. Toxins can also act on the sympathetic nervous system.[1][2]

Pathophysiology

Tetanus is caused by an exotoxin from Clostridium tetani that leads to acute and often fatal illness. Generalized, widespread rigidity and skeletal muscle spasms are common presentations of tetanus. The muscle stiffness begins from the jaw (lockjaw) progressing to the neck and then becomes generalized. C. tetani is a terminal spore forming bacteria. The spores are resistant to extremes of temperature and to the normally used antiseptics. The spores can be found in the soil as well as in the intestines and feces of cattle, dogs, sheep, horses, cats, guinea pigs, rats, and chickens. Soil that has been treated with manure may contain a large quantity of spores. Human adults who work in agriculture may also harbor the pathogen.[3]

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of tetanus is as follows:[1][2][4][5][6][7][8]

  • The minimum lethal dose of tetanospasmin for humans is around 2.5 nanograms per kg of body weight or 175 nanograms for an individual who weighs 70-kg (154lb).

Genetics

The role of genetics in the development of tetanus has not been well established. It is, however, believed that the formation of tetanus toxin is induced by the depletion of amino acids.[9]

Microscopic Pathology

Group of Clostridium tetani bacteria, responsible for causing tetanus in humans.- Source: Wikimedia Commons


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Farrar JJ, Yen LM, Cook T, Fairweather N, Binh N, Parry J; et al. (2000). "Tetanus". J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 69 (3): 292–301. PMC 1737078. PMID 10945801.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Lalli G, Gschmeissner S, Schiavo G (2003). "Myosin Va and microtubule-based motors are required for fast axonal retrograde transport of tetanus toxin in motor neurons". J Cell Sci. 116 (Pt 22): 4639–50. doi:10.1242/jcs.00727. PMID 14576357.
  3. Del Pilar Morales E, Bertrán Pasarell J, Cardona Rodriguez Z, Almodovar Mercado JC, Figueroa Navarro A (2014). "Cephalic tetanus following penetrating eye trauma: a case report". Bol Asoc Med P R. 106 (2): 25–9. PMID 25065047.
  4. Rummel A, Bade S, Alves J, Bigalke H, Binz T (2003). "Two carbohydrate binding sites in the H(CC)-domain of tetanus neurotoxin are required for toxicity". J Mol Biol. 326 (3): 835–47. PMID 12581644.
  5. Schiavo G, Benfenati F, Poulain B, Rossetto O, Polverino de Laureto P, DasGupta BR; et al. (1992). "Tetanus and botulinum-B neurotoxins block neurotransmitter release by proteolytic cleavage of synaptobrevin". Nature. 359 (6398): 832–5. doi:10.1038/359832a0. PMID 1331807.
  6. Caccin P, Rossetto O, Rigoni M, Johnson E, Schiavo G, Montecucco C (2003). "VAMP/synaptobrevin cleavage by tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins is strongly enhanced by acidic liposomes". FEBS Lett. 542 (1–3): 132–6. PMID 12729912.
  7. Martha H. Roper, Jos H. Vandelaer & Francois L. Gasse (2007). "Maternal and neonatal tetanus". Lancet (London, England). 370 (9603): 1947–1959. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61261-6. PMID 17854885. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  8. Martha H. Roper, Jos H. Vandelaer & Francois L. Gasse (2007). "Maternal and neonatal tetanus". Lancet (London, England). 370 (9603): 1947–1959. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61261-6. PMID 17854885. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  9. Licona-Cassani C, Steen JA, Zaragoza NE, Moonen G, Moutafis G, Hodson MP; et al. (2016). "Tetanus toxin production is triggered by the transition from amino acid consumption to peptides". Anaerobe. 41: 113–124. doi:10.1016/j.anaerobe.2016.07.006. PMID 27492724.

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