There are many diseases on the planet that have been infamous since ancient times. If earlier they did not know the causes of diseases, then in the age of modern technology they have been studied, and the most serious measures have been taken to neutralize them. One of these ailments is tetanus bacillus.
What is the causative agent?
Even Hippocrates described this unknown, at that time, disease. Most often, she met in men during hostilities, as well as in women after childbirth or miscarriage. At that time, the origin of the disease was unknown. At the end of the 19th century, it became clear that a bacterium was the culprit.
Tetanus bacillus is a gram-positive obligate anaerobic spore-forming bacterium. It is she who is the causative agent of a deadly disease - tetanus. For development and successful reproduction, she does not need oxygen at all, she is completely independent of O2.
This bacteria:
- very active;
- large;
- rod-shaped;
- its surface is covered with flagella.
The microorganism, due to its ability to create spores, is very resistant to adverse conditions.
Microbe habitat
The most interesting thing is where the tetanus bacillus lives. This is the intestines of humans and various animals. There she breeds and lives happily. We can say that this microbe is ubiquitous. Found:
- on clothes;
- animal feces;
- in the dust of the house;
- in organic soil;
- natural reservoirs.
This is a very tenacious microorganism that is able to maintain its activity for almost a century.
Method of penetration
At home during cleaning or in the country when landing, it is quite possible to swallow a tetanus bacillus along with dust. But this will not cause the disease. The fact is that the bacterium does not pose a danger when swallowed, in contact with human mucous membranes. It is resistant to hydrochloric acid found in the stomach, as well as to enzymes, but is completely unable to be absorbed into the intestines.
A harmful microbe enters the body and begins its violent activity through damage of any kind:
- cuts;
- bedsores;
- splinters;
- frostbite;
- burns;
- bites.
Tetanus bacillus spores can safely move on the paws of known insects - flies and mosquitoes. The microbe especially loves deep wounds, here the best conditions for development are created for it, insuch wounds do not penetrate oxygen.
Features of bacteria
This organism is distributed all over the earth: in some places it is a little more, and in others it is less. It is seen in high doses in soil with warm and humid climates.
Vegetative forms of tetanus bacillus are not resistant to chemicals and temperatures. The death of microbes begins at a temperature of 70 degrees only after 30 minutes, but they are quickly neutralized when exposed to disinfectants. When exposed to direct sunlight, the microorganism dies after five days, and with diffused light, more time will be needed.
The microbe is very resistant to external influences. For example:
- It can withstand heating up to 90 degrees for up to two hours, and at a temperature of 115 degrees it dies only after 20 minutes.
- When boiling the liquid is destroyed after 1-3 hours, heating in the dry state can withstand up to 150 degrees.
- S alty sea water does not interfere with a wonderful life for 6 months.
- The bacterium is insensitive to low temperatures. Stays at 40-60 degrees below zero for years.
- Successfully dyed with aniline dyes.
Tetanus bacillus lives on various objects of the external environment, it remains in the ground for decades.
Spores begin their vigorous activity at temperatures exceeding 37 degrees, but there must be good humidity and the absence of oxygen.
Method and mechanism of disease development
Tetanus bacillus itself is a bacteriumharmless. But it produces a powerful biological poison called tetanus toxin, which is second only to botulism in terms of poisonous action.
Tetanus toxin includes:
- Tetanospasmin, damaging the nervous system and causing painful cramps.
- Tetanohemolysin, which provokes the destruction of red blood cells.
Such a poison through the circulatory system and through the nerve channels enters the brain and spinal cord. There is a blockage of the cells of the nervous system, which are responsible for restraining muscle contraction. When tetanus bacillus toxin is damaged, motor impulses from the brain continuously flow to the muscle fibers of the body, and they begin to contract strongly, intermittently and uncoordinated. This is very exhausting for the patient and leaves him almost exhausted.
The duration of muscle spasms is long, while all the muscles of the body work:
- heart;
- spine;
- face;
- larynx;
- limbs.
The venom of a bacterium disrupts the metabolic processes of biologically active substances in the brain, causing severe damage to the respiratory center and other structures important for existence.
Risk group
Most often, people who have household plots or vegetable gardens are at risk of contracting tetanus. Constant contact with soil, often fertilized with manure, increases the chance of infection. Any deep wound can contribute to the development of the disease.
Also, children are at risk. With themrestless lifestyle, frequent injuries, wounds, abrasions, which are unlikely to be processed correctly and on time, become an excellent habitat and reproduction of the stick.
Doctors most often note a group of middle-aged people whose vaccinations have long expired and have not been revaccinated.
After tetanus, immunity is not formed, so every 10 years it is necessary to be vaccinated throughout life.
Under such conditions, people will be completely protected from exposure to tetanus toxins.
