| tetanus | 1. An acute, often fatal infectious disease caused by the anaerobic, spore forming bacillus Clostridium tetani, the agent most often enters the body through contaminated puncture wounds (for example those caused by metal nails, wood splinters or insect bites), although other portals of entry include burns, surgical wounds, cutaneous ulcers, injections sites of drug abusers, the umbilical stump of neonates (t, neonatorum) and the postpartum uterus. 2. Physiological tetanus, a state of sustained muscular contraction without periods of relaxation caused by repetitive stimulation of the motor nerve trunk at frequencies so high that individual muscle twitches are fused and cannot be distinguished from one another, also called tonic spasm and tetany. Origin: Gr. Tetanos, from tenein = to stretch (18 Nov 1997) |
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| tetanus and gas gangrene antitoxins | A mixture of antibodies obtained from animals immunised against the toxins of Clostridium tetani, C. Perfringens, and C. Septicum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tetanus anticus | <medicine> A drawing of the body forward, in consequence of the spasmodic action of some of the muscles. Origin: NL, fr. Gr. Forward + to draw. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| tetanus antitoxin | Antitoxin specific for the toxin of Clostridium tetani. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tetanus antitoxin unit | The antitoxin activity of 0.3094 mg of standard tetanus antitoxin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tetanus dorsalis | <neurology> A form of spasm in which the head and the heels are bent backward and the body bowed forward. Origin: Gr. Tonos = tension (18 Nov 1997) |
| tetanus immune globulin | <protein> A protein antibody to tetanus toxin, given as passive immunity for those lacking any prior tetanus vaccination. (27 Sep 1997) |
| tetanus immunoglobulin | <protein> A protein antibody to tetanus toxin, given as passive immunity for those lacking any prior tetanus vaccination. (27 Sep 1997) |
| tetanus neonatorum | Tetanus occurring in newborn infants, usually due to infection of umbilical area with Clostridium tetani, often a result of ritualistic practices; has high fatality rate (about 60%). Synonym: neonatal tetanus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| tetanus-perfringens antitoxin | An antitoxin prepared from animals immunised against the toxins of Clostridium tetani and C. Perfringens (C. Welchii). (05 Mar 2000) |
| tetanus posticus | <neurology> A form of spasm in which the head and the heels are bent backward and the body bowed forward. Origin: Gr. Tonos = tension (18 Nov 1997) |
| tetanus shot | Immunisation for tetanus. Should be given every five years when indicated. (27 Sep 1997) |
| tetanus toxin | <protein> Neurotoxin released by Clostridium tetani, becomes active when peptide cleaved proteolytically to heavy (100 kD) and light (50 kD) chains held together by disulphide bond. Heavy chain binds to disialogangliosides (GD2 and GD1b) and part of the peptide (the amino terminal B fragment) forms a pore: light chain is a zinc endopeptidase that specifically attacks synaptobrevin, to block neurotransmitters. See: botulinum toxin (18 Nov 1997) |
| tetanus vaccine | See: diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, and pertussis vaccine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| toxic tetanus | Tonic spasms caused by strychnine or other tetanic. Synonym: toxic tetanus. (05 Mar 2000) |