Clostridium tetani

Clostridium tetani is a motile, anaerobic, rod-shaped Gram-positive bacterium that forms highly resistant terminal spores, giving a distinct tennis racket/drumstick appearance under microscopy[1][4][5][7]. Spores are ubiquitous in soil and animal gastrointestinal tracts, surviving extreme conditions. When introduced via a wound in a low-oxygen environment, C. tetani can germinate, multiply, and produce the potent neurotoxin tetanospasmin, which blocks inhibitory neurotransmitter release in motor neurons—resulting in muscle spasms and the clinical syndrome of tetanus. Control and prevention of tetanus rely on good wound care, antibiotics, and vaccination against the tetanus toxin, not direct targeting of the bacterium as a molecular entity[1][4][5][7].

Other names

Tetanus bacteriumLockjaw bacterium

Antibiotics: Inhibit cell wall synthesis or disrupt bacterial DNA (elimination of C. tetani) Immune globulin: Passive immunization by neutralizing circulating toxin Vaccine: Stimulates adaptive immunity against tetanospasmin toxin