clostridium

Tetanus

Acute disease

- characterised by generalized rigidity & convulsions

- caused by exotoxins/neurotoxins produced in Clostridia Tetani infections

Annual world mortality is 1 million

West 15-100/year

Clostridium Tetani

- anaerobic

- spore-bearing Gram positive Bacillus

Clostridial Myonecrosis

- necrotizing, gas producing infection of skeletal muscle 2° Clostridia

- life threatening & rapidly progressive

There are 3 types of bacterial gas-forming infections

1. Classical clostridial gas gangrene

- rapid onset of sepsis / couple of days

- muscle nearly always involved

- critically ill immediately following an open injury