Tetanus - Copy.pdf

TETANUS Tetanus is an acute, spastic paralytic illness historically called lockjaw, caused by neurotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani, a motile, Gram-positive, spore-forming obligate anaerobe. Classification of tetanus and Mode of Infection Four different forms of tetanus; generaliz...

TETANUS Tetanus is an acute, spastic paralytic illness historically called lockjaw, caused by neurotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani, a motile, Gram-positive, spore-forming obligate anaerobe. Classification of tetanus and Mode of Infection Four different forms of tetanus; generalized , neonatal, local and cephalic are described. Generalized tetanus is the most common type which is responsible for 80% of cases associated with a traumatic injury, often a penetrating wound inflicted by a dirty object or unsterile injection. It results from the hematogenous spread of the toxin. The muscles of the head and neck are affected first with progressive distal spread of spasm and rigidity throughout the body. Neonatal tetanus. occurs in Neonates whose mothers are not immunized, contaminated umbilical cord is a common source of infection and is entirely preventable by maternal vaccination. It carries a poor prognosis and responsible for over 50% of deaths associated with tetanus. local tetanus, spasm and rigidity are confined to the site of injury. It is an uncommon and relatively mild form of tetanus with a low mortality (1%). Cephalic tetanus occurs after a wound to the head and neck or otitis media. It is characterized by cranial nerve palsies (especially the seventh) and leads to paralysis; it is associated with a high mortality. Incubation Period: Typically, it is 2–14 days (average 7 days).; may be months. A short incubation period (