Line 11: |
Line 11: |
| ==Tetanus== | | ==Tetanus== |
| | | |
− | * In a pathological context, '''"tetanus" is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium [[Clostridium species#Clostridium tetani|''Clostridium tetani'']]'''. | + | * In a pathological context, '''"tetanus" is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium [[Clostridium tetani|''Clostridium tetani'']]'''. |
| ** Physiologically, the term "tetanus" refers to continuous sustained muscle contraction. | | ** Physiologically, the term "tetanus" refers to continuous sustained muscle contraction. |
− | *** The disease caused by [[Clostridium species#Clostridium tetani|''Clostridium tetani'']] is characterised by this feature. | + | *** The disease caused by [[Clostridium tetani|''Clostridium tetani'']] is characterised by this feature. |
| | | |
| ===Pathogenesis=== | | ===Pathogenesis=== |
| | | |
− | * [[Clostridium species#Clostridium tetani|''Clostridium tetani'']] generally cause infection via wound contamination. | + | * [[Clostridium tetani|''Clostridium tetani'']] generally cause infection via wound contamination. |
| ** Cuts or deep puncture wounds are most commonly infected. | | ** Cuts or deep puncture wounds are most commonly infected. |
− | * [[Clostridium species#Clostridium tetani|''Clostridium tetani'']] produces tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin. | + | * [[Clostridium tetani|''Clostridium tetani'']] produces tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin. |
| ** Tetanospasmin inhibits the release of the neurotransmitters GABA and glycine from interneurons in the spinal cord and brain. | | ** Tetanospasmin inhibits the release of the neurotransmitters GABA and glycine from interneurons in the spinal cord and brain. |
| * Without the usual inhibitory influence of glycine and GABA, there is increased excitation of the brainstem and motor neurons. | | * Without the usual inhibitory influence of glycine and GABA, there is increased excitation of the brainstem and motor neurons. |
Line 46: |
Line 46: |
| ** Metronidazole | | ** Metronidazole |
| *** Treatment with metronidazole decreases the number of bacteria but has no effect on the bacterial toxin. | | *** Treatment with metronidazole decreases the number of bacteria but has no effect on the bacterial toxin. |
− | *** Metronidazole is particularly active against anaerobic bacteria, and so is a good choice for use against [[Clostridium species#Clostridium tetani|''C. tetani'']] | + | *** Metronidazole is particularly active against anaerobic bacteria, and so is a good choice for use against [[Clostridium tetani|''C. tetani'']] |
| ** Penicillin | | ** Penicillin |
| *** Penicillin is becoming a less favoured treatment for tetanus, since there is a theoretical risk of increased spasms. | | *** Penicillin is becoming a less favoured treatment for tetanus, since there is a theoretical risk of increased spasms. |