Learn something new every day More Info... by email A tetanus
toxin is a toxin produced by Clostridium tetani bacteria. One
toxin in particular is of medical concern because it causes
muscle spasms in victims, although several other toxins are also
produced by these common bacteria. Tetanus toxin causes the
distinctive symptoms known as "tetanus" and can be fatal in some
cases. It is also used in the production of a toxoid used to
create resistance to tetanus infections. The widespread use of
tetanus vaccinations has greatly reduced the incidence of
tetanus. These bacteria are naturally found in soils all over
the world. Bacterial toxins often have a function for the
bacteria, but in the case of tetanus toxin, there is no known
function. The toxin is released when individual bacteria die and
break up. In the soil, it dissipates harmlessly, but if the
bacteria happen to be colonizing an injury, the toxin travels
through the blood and lymph of the body. Tetanus toxin is a
neurotoxin, with an affinity for nerve