Tetanus is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, the spores of which are widespread in the environment.

The disease is caused by the action of a neurotoxin, produced by the bacteria when they grow in the absence of oxygen, e.g. in dirty wounds or in the umbilical cord if it is cut with a non-sterile instrument. Tetanus is characterized by muscle spasms, initially in the jaw muscles. As the disease progresses, mild stimuli may trigger generalized tetanic seizure-like activity, which contributes to serious complications and eventually death unless supportive treatment is given. Tetanus can be prevented by the administration of tetanus toxoid, which induces specific antitoxins. To prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus, tetanus toxoid needs to be given to the mother before or during pregnancy, and clean delivery and cord care needs to be ensured.

Tetanus is an acute, often fatal, disease caused by an exotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. It is characterized by generalized rigidity and convulsive spasms of skeletal muscles. The muscle stiffness usually involves the jaw (lockjaw) and neck and then becomes generalized. Although records from antiquity (5th century BCE) contain clinical descriptions of tetanus, it was Carle and Rattone in 1884 who first produced tetanus in animals by injecting them with pus from a fatal human tetanus case. During the same year, Nicolaier produced tetanus in animals by injecting them with samples of soil. In 1889, Kitasato isolated the organism from a human victim, showed that it produced disease when injected into animals, and reported that the toxin could be neutralized by specific antibodies. In 1897, Nocard demonstrated the protective effect of passively transferred antitoxin, and passive immunization in humans was used for treatment and prophylaxis during World War I. A method for inactivating tetanus toxin with formaldehyde was developed by Ramon in the early 1920's which led to the development of tetanus toxoid by Descombey in 1924. It was first widely used during World War II.

Tetanus is caused by a neurotoxin released by Clostridium tetani, a spore-forming anaerobic bacterium. It occurs throughout the world and remains an important cause of death with an estimated annual mortality of 8000001000000. Over half of these deaths are in neonates. Tetanus is relatively rare in the developed world. For example, there are 510 cases per year in the UK; 75% of these occur in individuals over the age of 45 yr. There have been no cases in the UK of tetanus in the newborn for over 30 yr. Tetanus is a clinical diagnosis. Individuals with symptoms and signs of tetanus should be closely monitoredideally within an intensive care unit with immediate access to ventilatory support. Modern management encompasses wound debridement,

antimicrobial therapy, active and passive immunization, sedation and vigilant monitoring.