tetanus antitoxin
Quick Summary
Tetanus is an acute infectious disease caused by toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. These toxins attack the central nervous system, leading to rigidity and spasms of voluntary muscles, most notably the jaw, earning it the nickname "lockjaw." The spores of Clostridium tetani are found in soil and can enter the body through any wound, with puncture wounds and deep lacerations being particularly dangerous due to the oxygen-free environment they provide for bacterial growth.1
Tetanus antitoxin is an antibody that neutralizes the tetanus toxin in the bloodstream. It is produced by injecting animals, typically horses, with the toxin, allowing their bodies to develop a high concentration of antitoxins. This preparation, called an antiserum, is then used to treat tetanus. While antitoxin helps neutralize circulating toxin, it has limited effect once the toxin has reached nerve endings. Intravenous penicillin is used to kill any remaining bacteria in the wound.21
Active immunization with tetanus toxoid, a modified form of the toxin, stimulates the body's own defenses to build immunity over time and requires booster doses every few years.3
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tetanusTetanus antitoxin, which contains antibodies derived from the blood of persons who have been immunized against the disease, is given to help neutralize the toxin in the bloodstream, but it has little effect once the toxin has affected the nerve endings. Intravenous penicillin kills the…
Read MoreTetanus antitoxin, which contains antibodies derived from the blood of persons who have been immunized against the disease, is given to help neutralize the toxin in the bloodstream, but it has little effect once the toxin has affected the nerve endings. Intravenous penicillin kills the…
Read More
horseGeneral featuresTetanus antitoxin is obtained from the blood serum of horses previously inoculated with tetanus toxoid. From horsehide a number of articles are manufactured, including fine shoes and belts. The cordovan leather fabricated by the Moors in Córdoba, Spain, was originally made from horsehide. Fur coats…
Read MoreTetanus antitoxin is obtained from the blood serum of horses previously inoculated with tetanus toxoid. From horsehide a number of articles are manufactured, including fine shoes and belts. The cordovan leather fabricated by the Moors in Córdoba, Spain, was originally made from horsehide. Fur coats…
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history of medicineTetanusThe other great hazard of war that was brought under control in World War I was tetanus. This was achieved by the prophylactic injection of tetanus antitoxin into all wounded men. The serum was originally prepared by the bacteriologists Emil von Behring and
Read MoreThe other great hazard of war that was brought under control in World War I was tetanus. This was achieved by the prophylactic injection of tetanus antitoxin into all wounded men. The serum was originally prepared by the bacteriologists Emil von Behring and
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Emil von Behringimmunity against tetanus by injecting it with the blood serum of another animal infected with the disease. Behring applied this antitoxin (a term he and Kitasato originated) technique to achieve immunity against diphtheria. Administration of diphtheria antitoxin, developed with Paul Ehrlich and first successfully marketed in 1892,…
Read Moreimmunity against tetanus by injecting it with the blood serum of another animal infected with the disease. Behring applied this antitoxin (a term he and Kitasato originated) technique to achieve immunity against diphtheria. Administration of diphtheria antitoxin, developed with Paul Ehrlich and first successfully marketed in 1892,…
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Kitasato Shibasaburo…Emil von Behring, he studied tetanus and diphtheria, two bacterial infections that cause symptoms through the secretion of toxins. In 1889 Kitasato succeeded in obtaining the first pure culture of the tetanus bacteria (bacilli), and the following year he and von Behring demonstrated that immunity to tetanus could be achieved…
Read More…Emil von Behring, he studied tetanus and diphtheria, two bacterial infections that cause symptoms through the secretion of toxins. In 1889 Kitasato succeeded in obtaining the first pure culture of the tetanus bacteria (bacilli), and the following year he and von Behring demonstrated that immunity to tetanus could be achieved…
Read More