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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
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**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
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**Toxins transported across synapse to terminals of inhibitory neurons where they block transmission of signals
**Spastic paralysis results
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**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]]
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*Oval, subterminal endospores; spores survive boiling for hours
*Toxin produced in decaying organic matter absorbed from GIT into the blood and affects neuromuscular junction
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*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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