Tetanus: Pathophysiology, Treatment, and the Possibility of Using Botulinum

Tetanus: Pathophysiology, Treatment, and the Possibility of Using Botulinum

Pic: (Top) Tetanus Following Gunshot Wounds, 1809. By Sir Charles Bell, surgeon and artist; depictinga solider in the throes of tetanus. (Bottom) A young unvaccinated child suffering

from tetanus complications.

Tetani resides in the soil and leaves. It is omnipresent. But as long as it remains on theother side of our skins, we are safe. When our defenses are breached either by the scratch of a sharp rose thorn or a blister on the

foot, tetanus gains access to the body..Tetanus infuses our bodies with tetanospasm toxin, which acts on the central nervous system and works by irreversibly blocking the release

of neurotransmitters that work on the muscles, thus interfering with the natural rhythm of nerve firing.

As a result of this blockage, the nerves fire continuously, leading to persistent spasming of the muscles. The stronger muscles of the body

have a greater effect and dominate, forming an agonizing posture known as opisthotonus.

This is where the extensor muscles of the back arch backwards and lock (red), the arms flex to the chest with fists clenched (green).

The sustained muscle contractions in the back are so forceful they can break the spine. The crushing muscles of the mastication clamp down to form the hallmark of the disease, "lockjaw" (purple). The nightmarish and unintentional teeth-bearing grin, known as risus sardonicus, results from contracted facial muscles (purple). Several other muscle group contractions are also seen, e.g forceful curling of the toes (yellow). Soon the respiratory and laryngeal muscles spasm, obstructing the

airways causing death.

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