Tetanus Pathogenesis Quiz

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What is the main mechanism by which the tetanus toxin leads to muscle contraction and spasm?

Interference with neurotransmitter release (correct)

Enhancement of neurotransmitter release

Direct muscle stimulation

Neuromuscular junction blockage

Which form of tetanus is the most common among the four clinical forms mentioned?

Generalized tetanus (correct)

Cephalic tetanus

Local tetanus

Neonatal tetanus

In neonatal tetanus, when do symptoms usually start to appear?

1 month after birth

At birth

4-14 days after birth (correct)

21 days after birth

What is the relationship between the incubation period and the distance of the injury site from the central nervous system?

Inverse relationship Signup and view all the answers

Which form of localized tetanus is associated with wounds to the head or face or chronic otitis media?

Cephalic tetanus Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes cephalic tetanus from other forms of localized tetanus?

Involvement of cranial nerves Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of the high fatality rate in neonatal tetanus?

The absence of proper treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common complication of tetanus?

Ulcerative colitis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the primary mode of transmission of tetanus?

Contaminated wounds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common occurrence in patients with tetanus?

Transmission through contact with infected individuals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common problem in patients with tetanus, especially in drug users and elderly patients?

Pulmonary embolism Signup and view all the answers

Which muscle group is typically affected first in generalized tetanus?

Masseter muscles Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the most common late complication of tetanus?

Aspiration pneumonia Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the grimace through clenched teeth and closed mouth with wrinkled forehead and raised eyebrows in tetanus patients?

Risus sardonicus Signup and view all the answers

What internal stimulus can trigger tetanospasms in patients with generalized tetanus?

A distended bowel Signup and view all the answers

What are the autonomic nervous system abnormalities associated with generalized tetanus?

Elevated temperature, sweating, and episodic rapid heart rate Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common cause of neonatal tetanus?

Infection of the unhealed umbilical stump Signup and view all the answers

What are the initial symptoms of neonatal tetanus?

Generalized weakness and poor sucking Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the tetanus toxin is responsible for the biological activity?

A domain Signup and view all the answers

How does the tetanus toxin enter the cytoplasm of the neuron?

Through the interaction of the B domain with ganglioside at neuromuscular junctions Signup and view all the answers

Which protein component of synaptic vesicles is cleaved by the tetanus toxin?

Synaptobrevin Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of the disinhibition of spinal cord reflex arcs caused by the tetanus toxin?

Multiple, intense muscle spasms Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the tetanus toxin on the presynaptic acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction?

Decreased release Signup and view all the answers

How is the tetanus toxin transported within the neuron?

Retrograde manner Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of tetanus cases in developed countries occur in patients over the age of 60?

70% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common portal of entry for tetanus infections?

Insect bites Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key indicator that waning immunity is an important risk factor for tetanus?

The majority of tetanus cases occur in patients over the age of 60 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a potential source of tetanus infection?

Food poisoning Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of tetanus cases have acute wounds as the portal of entry?

80% Signup and view all the answers