Neurotoxin Flashcards
what does tetanus toxin block? what does this lead to clinically?
blocks inhibitory neuronal signals, leading to spastic paralysis
what is tetanus usually associated with (cause?)?
inadequate vaccination
food-borne botulism: infection or intoxication?
intoxication
mechanism of botulinum toxin, and what this leads to clinically
blocks acetylcholine release, leading to flaccid paralysis
pathogen that causes tetanus; pathogen that causes botulism
Clostridium tetani
Clostridium botulinum
tetanospasmin neurotoxin mechanism of action
plasmid-encoded AB toxin- B binds to neuron, transfer the A to the neuron; binds to MOTOR neurons
what neurotransmitter for the tetanospasmin block?
inhibitory GABA release
diagnosis of tetanus
masseter muscles (lock jaw), intermittent spasms, difficulty swallowing, sweating, cardiac arrhythmias, convulsions
no blood, cultures, antibodies reliable
how neonatal tetanus occurs
infection of umbilical stump, no maternal antibodies, tetanus becomes generalized, 90% mortality rate
types of botulism
food-borne (home canning)
infant (honey, colonization in GI tract)
wound (injection drug abuse, colonization of wounds)
symptoms of botulism
dizziness, nausea, cranial nerve- double or blurred vision, progressive FLACCID paralysis
the antitoxin for botulism
heptavalent equine antitoxin
infant botulism diagnosis
previously healthy, present with constipation, weakness in sucking, swallowing, crying; muscle weakness
vaccine for tetanus
DTaP, tetanus Ig
treatment for tetanus
debridement, antibiotics
