Clostridium tetani (Tetanus)
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MICROBIOLOGY
- Clostridium tetani is a Gram-positive bacillus, obligate anaerobe.
- If culture enters the endospore stage, may have classic tennis racquet morphology [Fig 1].
- Spore widespread in soil and animal feces.
- Rod-shaped appearance on gram stain often likened to drumsticks or tennis rackets.
- Toxin, tetanospasmin, causes tetanus: unopposed muscle spasm, contraction due to interference of toxin with neurotransmitters (including GABA and glycine).
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MICROBIOLOGY
- Clostridium tetani is a Gram-positive bacillus, obligate anaerobe.
- If culture enters the endospore stage, may have classic tennis racquet morphology [Fig 1].
- Spore widespread in soil and animal feces.
- Rod-shaped appearance on gram stain often likened to drumsticks or tennis rackets.
- Toxin, tetanospasmin, causes tetanus: unopposed muscle spasm, contraction due to interference of toxin with neurotransmitters (including GABA and glycine).
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