Tetanus Bacteria

I chose this bacteria because of the disease it can cause for humans fascinated me when I read about it in class. The exotoxins, releases by Clostridium tetani, are called Tetanospasmin or Tetanus toxin. The toxin causes the toxemia,Tetanus, by entering the body through open wounds, lacerations, or crushed body parts (Talaro, 580). In localized tetanus, the toxin spread through the peripheral nerves and cause limited muscle spasms and uncomfortable contractions. It can last many months but will eventually heal (Wells & Tracy). In generalized tetanus, tetanospasmin is spread throughout the blood and bind to the motor nerve endings. The toxin then travel to the spinal cords and into specific spinal neurons that inhibits skeletal muscle contraction.