Clostridium tetani
Common soil bacterium and the causative agent of tetanus / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Clostridium tetani is a common soil bacterium and the causative agent of tetanus. Vegetative cells of Clostridium tetani are usually rod-shaped and up to 2.5 μm long, but they become enlarged and tennis racket- or drumstick-shaped when forming spores. C. tetani spores are extremely hardy and can be found globally in soil or in the gastrointestinal tract of animals. If inoculated into a wound, C. tetani can grow and produce a potent toxin, tetanospasmin, which interferes with motor neurons, causing tetanus. The toxin's action can be prevented with tetanus toxoid vaccines, which are often administered to children worldwide.
Quick Facts Clostridium tetani, Scientific classification ...
Clostridium tetani | |
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Clostridium tetani forming spores | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Bacteria |
Phylum: | Bacillota |
Class: | Clostridia |
Order: | Eubacteriales |
Family: | Lachnospiraceae |
Genus: | Clostridium |
Species: | C. tetani |
Binomial name | |
Clostridium tetani Flügge, 1881 | |
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