Textbook Question
Why is the following description used for wounds that are susceptible to C. tetani infection: “. . . Improperly cleaned deep puncture wounds . . . ones with little or no bleeding . . .”?
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Ch. 22 - Microbial Diseases of the Nervous System
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - The Microbial World and You18
- Ch. 2 - Chemical Principles20
- Ch. 3 - Observing Microorganisms Through a Microscope18
- Ch. 4 - Functional Anatomy of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells21
- Ch. 5 - Microbial Metabolism20
- Ch. 6 - Microbial Growth20
- Ch. 7 - The Control of Microbial Growth20
- Ch. 8 - Microbial Genetics19
- Ch. 9 - Biotechnology & DNA Technology20
- Ch. 10 - Classification of Microorganisms15
- Ch. 11 - The Prokaryotes: Domains Bacteria and Archaea14
- Ch. 12 - The Eukaryotes: Fungi, Algae, Protozoa, and Helminths17
- Ch. 13 - Viruses, Viroids, and Prions20
- Ch. 14 - Principles of Disease and Epidemiology21
- Ch. 15 - Microbial Mechanisms of Pathogenicity19
- Ch. 16 - Innate Immunity: Nonspecific Defenses of the Host20
- Ch. 17 - Adaptive Immunity: Specific Defenses of the Host20
- Ch. 18 - Practical Applications of Immunology20
- Ch. 19 - Disorders Associated with the Immune System19
- Ch. 20 - Antimicrobial Drugs19
- Ch. 21 - Microbial Diseases of the Skin and Eyes21
- Ch. 22 - Microbial Diseases of the Nervous System19
- Ch. 23 - Microbial Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems20
- Ch. 24 - Microbial Diseases of the Respiratory System20
- Ch. 25 - Microbial Diseases of the Digestive System20
- Ch. 26 - Microbial Diseases of the Urinary and Reproductive Systems19
- Ch. 27 - Environmental Microbiology20
- Ch. 28 - Applied and Industrial Microbiology19
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 22, Problem 2
What treatment is used against tetanus under the following conditions?
a. Before a person suffers a deep puncture wound
b. After a person suffers a deep puncture wound
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand that tetanus is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which produces a potent neurotoxin leading to muscle spasms. Prevention and treatment depend on vaccination status and wound management.
Step 2: For part (a), before a person suffers a deep puncture wound, the primary treatment is vaccination with the tetanus toxoid vaccine. This vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce protective antibodies against the tetanus toxin.
Step 3: For part (b), after a person suffers a deep puncture wound, treatment depends on their immunization history. If the person is not up to date with tetanus vaccinations, they may require both the tetanus toxoid vaccine and tetanus immune globulin (TIG) to provide immediate passive immunity.
Step 4: Additionally, proper wound care is essential after a deep puncture wound to reduce the risk of infection. This includes thorough cleaning and possibly antibiotics to prevent bacterial growth.
Step 5: Summarize that prevention involves active immunization before injury, while post-injury treatment may combine active immunization and passive immunization (TIG) depending on vaccination status and wound severity.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Tetanus and Its Causative Agent
Tetanus is a serious disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which produces a potent neurotoxin leading to muscle stiffness and spasms. The bacteria typically enter the body through deep puncture wounds, where anaerobic conditions allow them to thrive. Understanding the nature of the pathogen and its mode of infection is essential for effective prevention and treatment.
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Tetanus Vaccination and Prophylaxis
Tetanus vaccination involves the administration of the tetanus toxoid vaccine to stimulate immunity before exposure. For individuals without recent vaccination, a booster dose is recommended to prevent infection, especially before potential injury. This preventive measure is crucial for protecting people at risk of wounds that could introduce C. tetani.
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Post-Exposure Treatment for Tetanus
After a deep puncture wound, treatment includes wound cleaning, administration of tetanus immune globulin (TIG) to neutralize toxin, and a tetanus toxoid booster if vaccination status is incomplete. Antibiotics may also be used to control bacterial growth. Prompt post-exposure management reduces the risk of developing tetanus symptoms.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Which of the following does not have an animal reservoir or vector?
a. Listeriosis
b. Cryptococcosis
c. Amebic meningoencephalitis
d. Rabies
e. African trypanosomiasis
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Textbook Question
If C. tetani is relatively sensitive to penicillin, why doesn’t penicillin cure tetanus?
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Textbook Question
Which of the following is false?
a. Only puncture wounds by rusty nails result in tetanus.
b. Rabies is seldom found in rodents (e.g., rats, mice).
c. Polio is transmitted by the fecal-oral route.
d. Arboviral encephalitis is rather common in the United States.
e. All of the above are true.
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Textbook Question
A 12-year-old child hospitalized for Guillain-Barré syndrome had a 4-day history of headache, dizziness, fever, sore throat, and weakness of legs. Seizures began 2 weeks later. Bacterial cultures were negative. The child died 3 weeks after hospitalization. An autopsy revealed inclusions in brain cells that tested positive in an immunofluorescence test. This patient probably had
a. Rabies.
b. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
c. Botulism.
d. Tetanus.
e. Leprosy.
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