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Tetanus is caused by the tetanus bacterium, Clostridium tetani. [1] The disease is an international health problem, as C. tetani endospores are ubiquitous. Endospores can be introduced into the body through a puncture wound (penetrating trauma).
Fused tetanus is when there is no relaxation of the muscle fibers between stimuli and it occurs during a high rate of stimulation. [5] A fused tetanic contraction is the strongest single-unit twitch in contraction. [6] When tetanized, the contracting tension in the muscle remains constant in a steady state. This is the maximal possible ...
In 1897, Edmond Nocard showed that tetanus antitoxin induced passive immunity in humans, and could be used for prophylaxis and treatment. [6] In World War I, injection of tetanus antiserum from horses was widely used as a prophylaxis against tetanus in wounded soldiers, leading to a dramatic decrease in tetanus cases over the course of the war. [9]
Muscle cramps caused by the disease tetanus are not classified as tetany; rather, they are due to a lack of inhibition to the neurons that supply muscles. Tetanic contractions (physiologic tetanus) have a broad range of muscle contraction types, of which tetany is only one.
Neonatal tetanus (trismus nascentium) is a form of generalised tetanus that occurs in newborns. Infants who have not acquired passive immunity from an immunized mother are at risk. It usually occurs through infection of the unhealed umbilical stump, particularly when the stump is cut with a non-sterile instrument.
Tetanus is often referred to as lockjaw due to the fact that the bacteria the causes it (Clostridium tetani) cause the muscles of the jaw to tighten which makes the infected person unable to open their mouth. Today in the United States, tetanus is an uncommon disease with an average of only 29 cases reported per year between 1996 and 2009.
Wash children's hands with soap and water frequently (always before meals). Wash toys or food preparation surfaces that have been in contact with flood water with a bleach solution and allow to ...
Diagnosis of CNS disease can be made with cerebrospinal fluid analysis or electroencephalogram (EEG) showing lateralized periodic discharges. It can be difficult to distinguish between HSV CNS disease and other causes of neonatal meningitis; therefore, it is recommended to start empiric acyclovir in all cases of neonatal meningitis.