Chapter 22, Problem 1R

If Clostridium tetani is relatively sensitive to penicillin, why doesn’t penicillin cure tetanus?

Summary Introduction

To review:

Why penicillin does not cure tetanus.

Introduction:

Tetanus is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria named Clostridium tetani. It is a rod-shaped (bacillus), gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacteria.

Explanation of Solution

The anaerobic bacteria Clostridium tetani is sensitive to penicillin. However, adequate blood flow to the site of infection is necessary for penicillin to attain an optimum concentration at the site and to show maximum effectiveness. The causative pathogen is an obligate anaerobe and the wound by which it enters the body provide them an optimum anaerobic growth condition. Thus, due to the absence of enough blood flow, penicillin does not cure tetanus.

Conclusion

Tetanus infections commonly occur following a puncture wound exposed to the C. tetani bacteria. Contamination of the wound often involves contact with soil, fecal matter, or rusty metal containing the causative pathogen.