POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONBY HOLLY TAO

FEB. 13, 2008AP BIOLOGY

Tetanus

Basic Information

Disease name: tetanus (also called lock jaw)Found… it is a global disease. Most cases

found in India and nearby regions; large amount of infection in some parts of Africa and Malaysia. Significant presence on Eastern Asia

Causative agent: Clostridium tetani

Clostridium tetani

A gram-positive, anaerobic bacteria

Kingdom: Bacteria; Phylum: Firmicutes; Class: Clostridia; Order: Clostridiales; Family: Clostridiaceae; Genus: Clostridium; Species: Clostridium tetani

Transmission and Symptoms

Spores exist in the feces of animals and humans, as well as human skin cells and contaminated heroin

Symptoms: contraction of muscles; severity and areas of the body affected vary with each strain of the disease.- Ie. Generalized tetanus: (80% cases) a descending pattern: lockjaw/trismus, followed by stiffness of the neck, difficulty in swallowing, and rigidity of pectoral and calf muscles. Also elevated temperature, sweating, elevated blood pressure, and episodic rapid heart rate. Frequent spasms.

Historical Significance and Other Facts

Rust provides a prime breeding spot for spores

Known to the people of ancient civilizations who associated the disease with war (metals prime breeding spot)

The toxoid vaccine was developed in 1924 by Descombey and was used in WWII.