Johns Hopkins ABX Guide
Clostridium tetani (Tetanus)
MICROBIOLOGY
- Clostridium tetani is a Gram-positive bacillus, obligate anaerobe.
- If culture enters the endospore stage, it may have classic tennis racquet morphology [Fig 1].
- Spores are widespread in soil and animal feces.
- The rod-shaped appearance on a Gram stain is often likened to drumsticks or tennis rackets.
- Toxin, tetanospasmin, causes tetanus: unopposed muscle spasm and contraction due to interference of toxin with neurotransmitters (including GABA and glycine).
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Last updated: January 12, 2023
Citation
Auwaerter, Paul. "Clostridium Tetani (Tetanus)." Johns Hopkins ABX Guide, The Johns Hopkins University, 2023. Johns Hopkins Guides, www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540136/all/Clostridium_tetani__Tetanus_.
Auwaerter P. Clostridium tetani (Tetanus). Johns Hopkins ABX Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2023. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540136/all/Clostridium_tetani__Tetanus_. Accessed June 1, 2023.
Auwaerter, P. (2023). Clostridium tetani (Tetanus). In Johns Hopkins ABX Guide. The Johns Hopkins University. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540136/all/Clostridium_tetani__Tetanus_
Auwaerter P. Clostridium Tetani (Tetanus) [Internet]. In: Johns Hopkins ABX Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2023. [cited 2023 June 01]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540136/all/Clostridium_tetani__Tetanus_.
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