Wounds and the Risk of Tetanus

Clostridium tetani and Tetanospasmin

It seems like everyone who goes to the doctor with a wound or animal bite is asked when their last tetanus shot was. The question is why? What is so special about tetanus? What is it, and why do we care?

Tetanus, also knows as lockjaw, is a potentially fatal illness that occurs with wound infections. Tetanus is a neurologic disorder caused by the bacterial Clostridium tetani.

Clostridium tetani is an anaerobic bacterium that has the ability to form spores when in a hostile environment. When the bacterium is in a favorable environment to survive, thrive, and multiply, it exists as a single-celled bacterium that feeds, multiplies, and excretes. When the bacterium finds itself in a hostile environment, it changes into a spore with a hard outer, protective shell. As a spore it can survive the hostile environment for up to 40 years, just waiting for the opportunity to move into a more favorable milieu.

Posts