Tetanus

• Synonyms: Lock jaw disease
• Characterized by convulsions and death

a) Etiology:

• Clostridium tetany

b) Transmission:

• Through infected soil
• Port of entry is usually through deep puncture wounds.
• Injury can remain dormant for many years until favorable condition are met.

c) Pathogenesis:

• Injury à Invasion by tetanus spores—–>  germination and proliferation of spores —-> release of neurotoxin ——>  interrupt the nerve impulse transmission —–>  paralysis —> death due to asphyxiation

d) Symptoms:

• Incubation period is 3-10 days in horse and cattle and 3 days in sheep.
• Mastication prevented by tetany of masseter muscles.
• General stiffness, drooling of saliva from mouth.
• Adoption of saw horse posture
• Increased body temperature and profuse sweating
• Tetanic convulsion and finally death

e) Diagnosis:

• Based on clinical signs and symptom
• Muscular dystrophy, white muscle disease.

f) Treatment and control:

• Immunization with formaldehyde-inactivated tetanus toxin ( TeNT).
• Wound cleaning, antibiotic treatment
• Injection of TeNT immunoglobin are recommended.