Oh My God.Tetanus Killed Kenny!!!

Ed Evanson, Jacqueline Quint, Dani Deyette, Jordan Getz

Kenny Gets Tetanus

Kenny goes Fishing Kenny slices his hand open w/ fillet knife

Kenny gets lock jaw and cant move his muscles because of the protein toxin tetanospasmin

Our Questions
Where did the Toxin come from? How did it come to be in Kennys Puncture wound? What course did it take once it was in the wound? How does this relate to Grand Synaptic Potential? Why is there no loss of Sensory function? Why does it often lead to death?

The Source of the Toxin

Tetanus is an infectious disease characterized by increased muscle tension and spasms caused by the release of the neurotoxin tetanospasmin. Tetanospasmin is released by the bacteria Clostridium tetani. The bacteria is commonly found in soil. It enters the body through a cut or wound.

How did it come to be in Kennys puncture wound?

Tetanus is generally caused by contamination of wounds with Clostridial spores. Wounds in anaerobic conditions are ideal for germination of C. tetenai spores.
Such as those with dead or devitalized tissue, a foreign body, or active infection.

C. tetani infection results in a harmless appearance at the site of entry because it doesnt have the ability to evoke an inflammatory reaction

Why is there no loss of sensory function ?

No loss in sensory function because it only affects inhibitory pathways. However, the disease is very painful because it affects our natural way to control pain. The natural pain controlling mechanism uses inhibitory pathways, and if those inhibitory receptors are blocked the NTs cant bind to control pain.

The Course of Tetanus

Tetanospasmin is taken up by motor neurons in the peripheral nerve endings through endocytosis. It then travels along the axons until it reaches the motor neuron cell bodies in the spinal cord, by fast retrograde transport.

The Course of Tetanus

Once in the spinal cord, tetanospasmin is released from the motor neuron. It then selectively blocks neurotransmitter release at inhibitory synapses.

Grand Synaptic Potential

Each motor neuron is stimulated by a large number of presynaptic endings releasing either excitatory or inhibitory chemical messages.

Grand Synaptic Potential

If the SUM of the potentials of all inhibitory and excitatory synapses do not reach threshold an action potential will not be triggered.

Tetanus often leads to death

The incubation period ranges from 3 to 21 days Death Generally Results from Complications which include: Laryngospasm (spasm of the vocal cords) Spasm of the muscles of respiration which may lead to interference with breathing. Fractures of the spine or long bones from sustained contractions and convulsions. Hyperactivity of the autonomic nervous system may lead to hypertension and/or an abnormal heart rhythm. Tetanus is most likely to be fatal for persons 60 years and older and those who are unvaccinated.

Analogy
Think of the Inhibitory pathway as your parents, and the Excitatory pathway as your friends.
If a group of your parents friends take them away for a weekend out, the friends are like tetanus because they are removing your inhibitory control. When your friends come over for the party youre throwing. your excitatory pathway is uncontrolled because your inhibitory pathway has been incapacitated. This results in muscle spasms, and potentially death.

Have you had your Tetanus Shot?