<P> Clostridium tetani is a rod - shaped , anaerobic species of pathogenic bacteria , of the genus Clostridium . Like other species of genus Clostridium , it is Gram - positive , and its appearance on a gram stain resembles tennis rackets or drumsticks. C. tetani is found as spores in soil or in the gastrointestinal tract of animals . C. tetani produces a potent biological toxin , tetanospasmin , and is the causative agent of tetanus , a disease characterized by painful muscular spasms that can lead to respiratory failure and , in up to 10 % of cases , death . </P>
<P> Clostridium tetani is a rod - shaped , anaerobic species of pathogenic bacteria , of the genus Clostridium . Like other species of genus Clostridium , it is Gram - positive , and its appearance on a gram stain resembles tennis rackets or drumsticks. C. tetani is found as spores in soil or in the gastrointestinal tract of animals . C. tetani produces a potent biological toxin , tetanospasmin , and is the causative agent of tetanus , a disease characterized by painful muscular spasms that can lead to respiratory failure and , in up to 10 % of cases , death . </P>
where is clostridium tetani found in the body
where is clostridium tetani found in the body
gastrointestinal tract
gastrointestinal tract