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#tetanus

6 public questions tagged with this topic.

Vaccine

DPT vaccine provides protection against:

DPT vaccine, also known as triple antigen, provides simultaneous protection against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus three bacterial diseases responsible for high childhood morbidity mortality before immunization era. Diphtheria caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae toxigenic strains producing diphtheria toxin transported to heart causing myocarditis, nerves neuritis and kidney necrosis plus pseudomembrane airway obstruction. Pertussis caused by Bordetella pertussis Gram-negative coccobacillus attaching ciliated epithelium via filamentous hemagglutinin, producing pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylating Gi proteins disrupting signaling causing lymphocytosis and paroxysmal cough apnea in infants. Tetanus caused by Clostridium tetani anaerobic spore forming bacterium in soil, producing tetanospasmin blocking glycine release causing spastic paralysis and respiratory failure mortality 80 percent without ICU. DPT contains diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, whole-cell killed pertussis wP or purified acellular aP antigens adsorbed. Simultaneous administration induces antitoxin antibodies neutralizing diphtheria and tetanus toxins and antibacterial antibodies against Bordetella preventing colonization. Schedule 6,10,14 weeks plus boosters ensures protection persisting into childhood, boosters DTaP at 15-18 months and Tdap adolescence due to waning pertussis immunity.

Ref: CDC Pink Book Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus DPT; WHO DPT definition combined; Plotkin.

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Vaccine

Diphtheria and tetanus vaccines are examples of:

Diphtheria and tetanus vaccines belong to toxoid class defined by formalin inactivated exotoxins maintaining immunogenicity while lacking toxicity. Diphtheria vaccine contains diphtheria toxoid derived from Corynebacterium diphtheriae Park-Williams 8 strain carrying corynebacteriophage tox gene encoding ADP-ribosyltransferase secreted into culture medium purified then detoxified. Tetanus vaccine uses tetanus toxoid from Clostridium tetani Harvard strain fermenter grown anaerobically producing tetanospasmin. Both toxoids formulated with aluminum phosphate or hydroxide adjuvant as DT, Td, DTP combos. Protection mediated not by antibacterial immunity but antitoxic antibodies binding toxin in extracellular fluid preventing entry into target cells: diphtheria antitoxin prevents binding heart muscle and nerves, tetanus antitoxin prevents attachment at neuromuscular junction. Antibody titer greater than 0.01 IU per mL provides minimal protection, 0.1 IU full. Vaccinated individuals may still colonize with Corynebacterium but do not develop systemic intoxication. Herd immunity reduces toxin circulation. Booster every ten years recommended for tetanus because environmental spores ubiquitous in soil. Discovery by Behring antitoxin serum therapy preceded toxoid use.

Ref: WHO Tetanus Diphtheria toxoid vaccines; Plotkin Toxoid category; Rappuoli.

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Biological Classification

Cholera, typhoid, tetanus, and citrus canker are well-known diseases caused by which group of organisms?

Bacteria, specifically pathogenic heterotrophic bacteria, are notorious for causing extensive damage to human beings, crops, farm animals, and pets. According to the NCERT Class 11 Biology textbook, notorious and widespread diseases such as cholera, typhoid, tetanus in humans, and citrus canker in agricultural plants, are all caused by different specific species of bacteria. They typically cause disease by invading tissues or producing potent toxins.

Ref: NCERT Class 11 Biology > Chapter 2: Biological Classification > 2.1 Kingdom Monera

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