Wanted!
By: Nathan Artt
Clostridium Tetani
Description
Clostridium tetani is an anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium that can be found in a variety of places, such as the soil and intestinal flora of domestic animals and humans. Tetani usually enter the body through an open wound, leading to spore germination under anaerobic conditions. This spore production gives the bacteria a drumstick-like appearance.
Organisms M.O.
Most common victims to pray upon
Hideout of the culprit
Most common injury done to victim
Is it considered armed and dangerous
Most effective weapons against the pathogen
Treatment may include:
- Antibiotics
- Bedrest with a nonstimulating environment (dim light, reduced noise, and stable temperature)
- Medicine to reverse the poison (tetanus immune globulin)
- Muscle relaxers such as diazepam
- Sedatives
- Surgery to clean the wound and remove the source of the poison (debridement)
Breathing support with oxygen, a breathing tube, and a breathing machine may be necessary.
5 interesting facts or characteristics.
-Clostridium tetani bacteria are infectious but non-contagious
-There is a vaccination to prevent this disease
-The only stronger toxins are those of Clostridium botulinum (Botulism) and Corynebacterium diphtheriae (Diptheria).
-The bacteria was observed in 60% of the soil samples.
-It has a fatality rate of approximately 90% and is most common in third world and developing countries.
Bibliography
MicrobeWiki. "Clostridium Tetani." Microbewiki. MicrobeWiki, n.d. Web. Nov. 2011. <http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Clostridium_tetani>.
"Clostridium Tetani." Clostridium Tetani. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. <en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clostridium_tetani>.
Davidson College. "Pathogen Life Cycle." Clostridium Tetani. Davidson College., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2014. <http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/sosarafova/assets/bio307/cahermes/lifecycle.htm>.