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All about Bacterial Infections Caused by Gram-Positive Clostridium tetani with diagnosis Treatment Signs and symptoms
TETANUS
- TetanusPapaver Somniferum Opium NARCOTICS MADKARI DRAVYA. Read more ... » is a neurological diseaseEisenmenger syndrome (ASD, VSD, PDA With PAH with reversal of shunt - Right-to-Ieft shunt) with Treatment. Read more ... » caused by clostridium tetani characterized by increased muscle tone and spasms due to a powerful exotoxin tetanospasmjnproduced by the bacteria.
- C. tetani is a Gram positive anaerobic rod with a terminal spore resembling a tennis~racket.
Clinical manifestations TETANUS:
- There is increased muscle tone and generalized spasms.
- It occurs 3 – 13days after an injury such as a puncture wound, laceration or abrasion. It is also associated with burns, surgery, abortion, child birth, gangrene.
- There is increased tone in the masseter muscles (jaw muscles) resulting in tri.smus or lock-jaw.
- Lock-jaw is the first feature of tetanus.
- ~There is dysphagia, stiffness of neck, shoulder and back muscles.
- The abdomen is rigid.
- Hands and feet are spared but proximal limb muscles are involved.
- There is risus sardonicus (sarcastic smile) due to sustained contraction of facial muscles.
- There is opisthotonus (arched back). There may be cyanosis and respiratory distress.
- Convulsions are provoked by any stimulation like noise, light etc.
- Patient may have feverHow to Manage Hay Fever at Home. Read more ... ».
- Deep tendon reflexes are exaggerated.
- There may be tachycardia, hypertensionDiabetic Nephropathy and Renal complications of DM (Diabetes Mellitus). Read more ... », arrhythmiasCOMPLICATIONS OF Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) AND TREATMENT -2. Read more ... », laryngeal spasm, respiratory arrest and cardiacMitral Regurgitation (MR)Causes Symptoms Mitral Regurgitation Treatment of Mitral Regurgitation ACC/AHA guideline. Read more ... » arrest.
- Diagnosis is usually clinicalEisenmenger syndrome (ASD, VSD, PDA With PAH with reversal of shunt - Right-to-Ieft shunt) with Treatment. Read more ... ».
Treatment OF TETANUS
- General supportive measures. Respiratory support.
- Airway is protected.
- Wound is cleaned and debrided.
- Penicillin 10 – 12 million units daily IV for 10 days.
- Metronidazole 500 mg §…b.r:l¥.
- Clindamycin, Erythromycin.
- V Antitoxin-human tetanus immune globulin is given to neutralize circulating toxin in the wound. Dose is 3000 – 6000 units intra muscular in divided doses.
- Equine tetanus antitoxin may be used instead of. human antitoxin.
- Muscle spasms are controlled by Diazepam, Lorazepam, Propofol, Magnesium sulphate.
- Respiratory care – Tracheostomy and Mechanical ventilation.
Prevention OF TETANUS :
- Active immunizationHow to Manage Hay Fever at Home. Read more ... » - consists of 3 doses of tetanus toxoid – 1st and 2nd doses are given 1 -2 months apart, 3rd dose is given after 6 – 12 months. Booster dose is given every 10 years.
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| neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum |
BOTULISM
- Botulism is a paralytic disease caused by neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum.
- There is cranial nerve involvement and the disease progresses downwards to the extremities.
- Botulism may be food-borne, or wound botulism, or intestinal botulism.
- Botulism occurs worldwide.
- Botulinum toxin can be dispersed in an aerosol or mixed with food. Therefore, it is used in biological warfare and terrorism.
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| Clostridium botulinum |
Clinical features BOTULISM:
- There may be a mild ill ess or a severe disease resulting in death ithin 24 ho!J.[s.
- Incubation period is 1 – 2 days.
- -There is symmetrical descending paralysis with respiratory failure and death.
- -There is cranial nerve involvement, diplopia, dysarthria, dysphagia.
- There is nausia vomitingNausea and Vomiting. Read more ... » ,abdominal pain, dizziness, depressed pupillar reflexes, and decreased, deepaondon reflexes.
- Diagnosis is by demonstration of the organism or its toxin in vomitus, gastric fluid or stool.
Treatment BOTULISM :
- Patients should be monitored and managed for respiratory failureRespiratory Failure Causes Clinical Features with Management. Read more ... ».
- Equine anti-toxin is given as soon as the case is diagnosed.
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| GAS-GANGRENE disease is caused by Clostridium perfringens |
GAS-GANGRENE
- This disease is caused by Clostridium perfringens. They cause food poisoningBacterial Infections LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES Causes Diagnosis Symptoms Treatment. Read more ... », enteritis necroticans (necrotizing enteritis), suppurative deep tissue infections, skin and soft tissue infections, gangrene (Clostrid ial myonecrosis}.
- reatment is cleaning and debriding the wound, Penicillin G 20 units/day or Clindamycin.






