tetanus toxin

toxin /tox·in/ (tok´sin) a poison, especially a protein or conjugated protein produced by some higher plants, certain animals, and pathogenic bacteria, that is highly poisonous for other living organisms.

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bacterial toxins  toxins produced by bacteria, including exotoxins, endotoxins, and toxic enzymes.

botulinal toxin , botulinum toxin, botulinus toxin an exotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum that produces paralysis by blocking the release of acetylcholine in the central nervous system; there are seven immunologically distinct types (A–G). Type A is used therapeutically to inhibit muscular spasm in the treatment of dystonic disorders such as blepharospasm and strabismus, as well as to treat wrinkles of the upper face; type B is used to treat cervical dystonia.

clostridial toxin  one produced by species of Clostridium, including those causing botulinus, gas gangrene, and tetanus.

Dick toxin  streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin.

diphtheria toxin  a protein exotoxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae that is primarily responsible for the pathogenesis of diphtheritic infection; it is an enzyme that inhibits protein synthesis.

erythrogenic toxin  streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin.

extracellular toxin  exotoxin.

gas gangrene toxin  an exotoxin produced by Clostridium perfringens that causes gas gangrene; at least 10 types have been identified.

intracellular toxin  endotoxin.

tetanus toxin  the potent exotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani, consisting of two components, one a neurotoxin (tetanospasmin) and the other a hemolysin (tetanolysin) .

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tetanus toxin

n.

The neurotropic exotoxin of Clostridium tetani that causes tetanus.

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tetanus toxin,

the potent exotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani, consisting of two components, one a neurotoxin (tetanospasmin) and the other a hemolysin (tetanolysin).

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tetanus

a highly fatal disease of all animal species caused by the neurotoxin of Clostridium tetani. The bacterial spores are deposited in tissue, usually by traumatic injury, retained placenta or endometrial injury and under anaerobic conditions vegetate. Clinical features of the disease are remarkably similar in all species but there are differences in susceptibility to the disease. The muscle spasms cause a stiff gait, rigid posture (sometimes called 'sawhorse stance'), extension or elevation of the tail, protrusion of the third eyelid and trismus (lockjaw). Horses show flaring of the nostrils. In dogs, spasms of facial muscles cause abnormally erect ears and retraction of the lips that resembles the 'risus sardonicus' seen in humans with tetanus. Stimulation precipitates generalized muscle contractions and tetanic spasms or convulsions. The disease can be prevented by immunization with tetanus toxoid or the use of antitoxin, but this is done routinely only in humans and horses.

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tetanus antitoxin

see tetanus antitoxin.

idiopathic tetanus

a loosely defined syndrome of outbreaks of tetanus in young cattle without a wound being found; current practice is to refer to such outbreaks as being caused by the ingestion of pre-formed tetanus toxin.

localized tetanus

tetany occurs predominantly in one limb, closest to the site of entry of the organism, but then usually spreads to the opposite limb and then the whole body. Seen in dogs and particularly cats.

tetanus toxin

see tetanus toxin.

tetanus toxoid

see toxoid.

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toxin

a poison, especially a protein or conjugated protein produced by certain animals, some higher plants, and pathogenic bacteria. Antigenic toxins, produced by bacteria or helminths, stimulate production of antitoxins. Exotoxins are produced by bacteria and diffuse into surroundings, e.g. tetanus toxin, or can be ingested preformed, e.g. botulinum toxin. Endotoxins are released into the surrounding tissue only when the bacteria break down. They are lipopolysaccharides and form part of the cell wall, e.g. coliform endotoxins. Metabolic toxins, e.g. toxic amines absorbed from damaged intestine, ketones, lactic acid from carbohydrate engorgement, ammonia in liver damage, creatinine in renal dysfunction. See also metabolic toxins.

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dermonecrotic toxin

an exotoxin produced by certain bacteria that causes extensive local necrosis on intradermal inoculation.

extracellular toxin

exotoxin.

intracellular toxin

endotoxin.

tetanus toxin

the potent neurotoxic exotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani. Called also tetanospasmin.