Atlas Two · Pathogen Atlas · 02-bacteria

Clostridium tetani

Anaerobic, spore-forming, Gram-positive rod. Produces tetanospasmin (TeNT), a zinc-metalloprotease that cleaves VAMP-2 in inhibitory interneurons, blocking GABA/glycine release causing spastic paralysis. 100% preventable by tetanus toxoid vaccination.

Also known as: C. tetani, tetanus bacillus, Clostridium tetani Flugge 1881

02-bacteriaClass
activeStatus
2026-06-05Last Reviewed
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clostridium-tetani

Clostridium tetani

Anaerobic, spore-forming, Gram-positive rod. Produces tetanospasmin (TeNT), a zinc-metalloprotease that cleaves VAMP-2 in inhibitory interneurons, blocking GABA/glycine release causing spastic paralysis. 100% preventable by tetanus toxoid vaccination.