tetanospasmin

(noun)

The A-B toxin produced by C. tetani which is responsible for the symptoms of tetanus.

Related Terms

Examples of tetanospasmin in the following topics:

  • Tetanus

    • The primary symptoms are caused by tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin produced by the Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani.
    • Here the bacteria multiply and produce tetanospasmin, which is able to travel throughout the body.
    • Tetanospasmin is an A-B toxin.
    • This is due to the extreme potency of the tetanospasmin toxin; even a lethal dose of tetanospasmin is insufficient to provoke an immune response.Tetanus can be prevented by vaccination with tetanus toxoid.
    • These antibodies are able to neutralize the tetanospasmin if they are not already bound to motor neurons, and can confer passive immunity.