On July 8 th , a woman was given an antibiotic for presumptive sinusitis. Howeve

Question

On July 8th, a woman was given an antibiotic for presumptive sinusitis. However, her condition worsened, and she was unable to eat for 4 days because of severe pain and tightness of the jaw. On July 12th, she was admitted to a hospital with severe facial spasms. She reported that on July 5th she had incurred a puncture wound and the base of her big toe; she cleaned the wound but did not seek medical attention. What caused her symptoms? Was her condition due to an infection or an intoxication? Can she transmit this condition to another person?

I'm stuyding Microbiology class, and the answer should relate to this book "Microbiology an Introduction; Tortora, Funke, Case; 11th Edition, 2012 Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co., Menlo Park, CA" and the answer shouldn't be too long.

Explanation / Answer

The first sign of tetanus is lock jaw. So she has tetanus.

a. Her condition was caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria which releases a toxin which affects the brain and nervous system. This toxin causes severe muscle spasms.

b. Her condition was due to intoxication.

c. No, she can't transmit this condition to another person. (Since, Clostridium tetani spores can be found most commonly in soil, dust and manure so tetanus is transferred only when dirt enters a wound which in turn allows the bacteria to grow and release the toxin.)

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