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Clostridium tetani
Epidemiology:
- found worldwide in soil & animal feces.
- spores may be viable for years, are resistant to disinfectants & temperature extremes, including boiling for 20 minutes
- vegetative organisms are much more vulnerable
Laboratory:
- Clostridium tetani serology
- Clostridium tetani toxin Ab in Serum
- Clostridium tetani IgG in serum
- Clostridium tetani toxoid IgG in serum
- bacterial culture
- anaerobic, motile gram positive rod
- C tetani in culture forms a terminal spore that resembles a 'tennis racket' or 'drumstick'
- see ARUP consult [3]
Related
tetanus
tetanus toxin (TeTx); tetanospasmin
General
Clostridium
Properties
KINGDOM: monera
DIVISION: SCHIZOMYCETES
References
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed.
Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1994, pg 633-34
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed.
Fauci et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1998, pg 901-904
- ARUP Consult: Clostridium tetani - Tetanus
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