Tetanus and other clostridial diseases

Abstract 

The bacterial genus Clostridium consists of species that are pathogenic to animals and man by the production of exotoxins that may have proteolytic, neuropathic, cytotoxic or enterotoxic properties. Although obligate anaerobes, through the production of spores they can survive in the general environment in a dormant state for long periods until they experience conditions conducive to germination and growth that may be associated with a variety of human tissues by way of ingestion or wound contamination. As such, they are great opportunists and find many ways of plaguing mankind, causing diseases such as tetanus, gas-gangrene, botulism, food poisoning and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea or colitis.

Keywords: Clostridium, gas gangrene, injecting drug users, tetanus, wound botulism