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| **Many serotypes but all produce same neurotoxin, tetanospasmin, therefore antibodies neutralise all | | **Many serotypes but all produce same neurotoxin, tetanospasmin, therefore antibodies neutralise all |
| *Pathogenesis: | | *Pathogenesis: |
− | **Endospores introduced via damaaged tissues e.g. penetrating wounds | + | **Endospores introduced via damaged tissues e.g. penetrating wounds |
− | **Anaerobic conditions in the damaged tissue creates an anaerobic environment, allowing germination of spores | + | **Damaged tissue creates an anaerobic environment, allowing germination of spores |
| **Tetanospasmin made by bacteria replicating in damaged tissue | | **Tetanospasmin made by bacteria replicating in damaged tissue |
| **Absorbed toxin affects neuromuscular junction distant from site of toxin production | | **Absorbed toxin affects neuromuscular junction distant from site of toxin production |
| **Neurotoxin binds irreversibly to ganglioside receptors on motor neurons and is transported to nerve cell body | | **Neurotoxin binds irreversibly to ganglioside receptors on motor neurons and is transported to nerve cell body |
− | **Toxins transported to terminals of inhibitory neurons where they block transmission of signals | + | **Toxins transported across synapse to terminals of inhibitory neurons where they block transmission of signals |
− | **Spastic paralysis results | + | **Spastic paralysis by constant tensing of muscles results |
| **Toxin can be blood-borne and bind to motor terminals throughout the body as well as in the CNS | | **Toxin can be blood-borne and bind to motor terminals throughout the body as well as in the CNS |
| *Clinical signs: | | *Clinical signs: |
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| ===''Clostridium botulinum''=== | | ===''Clostridium botulinum''=== |
| | | |
− | * | + | *Ubiquitous organism |
− | *The toxin also causes [[Muscles - degenerative#Botulism|botulism]] | + | *Oval, subterminal endospores; spores survive boiling for hours |
− | *Toxin produced in decaying organic matter absorbed from GIT into the blood and affects neuromuscular junction | + | *Causes [[Muscles - degenerative#Botulism|botulism]], a potentially fatal intoxication |
| + | *Germination of endospores, growth of bacterial cells and toxin production in anaerobic conditions e.g. decaying carcasses and vegetation |
| + | *Intoxication on ingestion and absorbtion of toxin from GIT into the blood |
| + | *Occasionally germination of spores in wounds or GIT |
| + | *Neurotoxin carried to peripheral nervous system |
| + | *Toxin binds gangliosides irreversibly at the neuromuscular junction |
| + | *Blocks release of acetylcholine |
| + | *Flaccid paralysis and death |
| + | *Disease in animals consuming rotting carcasses and in herbivores through contamination of feed |
| + | *Toxoid vaccine |
| *Implicated in [[Intestines - physical disturbances#Equine dysautonomia, or grass sickness|equine grass sickness]] | | *Implicated in [[Intestines - physical disturbances#Equine dysautonomia, or grass sickness|equine grass sickness]] |
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