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Related Concept Videos

Tetanus01:29

Tetanus

Tetanus is a life-threatening neurological disorder characterized by persistent muscle contractions and spastic paralysis. It is caused by Clostridium tetani, a motile, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobe. These bacteria produce terminal endospores, giving them a distinctive “lollipop” or “tennis-racket” appearance. They thrive in anaerobic environments, such as those found in deep puncture wounds.Once introduced into the body, the spores germinate into vegetative cells. These cells...
Diphtheria01:28

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...
Botulism01:22

Botulism

Botulism is a life-threatening neuroparalytic condition caused by botulinum neurotoxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, a Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobe.In adults, the toxin enters the body in different ways: in foodborne botulism, the preformed toxin is absorbed in the intestine. In wound botulism, spores grow in injured tissue and release the toxin into the blood. Infant botulism differs mechanistically from adult forms. In infants, botulism commonly...
Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin01:26

Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin

Directly acting muscle relaxants like dantrolene and botulinum toxin (BoNT) have distinct mechanisms and applications. Dantrolene, a hydantoin derivative, acts on the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) in skeletal muscle cells. RYR1 are calcium channels present at the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. In response to excitation, they release calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol. Calcium promotes actin-myosin-mediated contraction of muscles.
The binding of dantrolene to the RYR1...
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:31

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

Skeletal muscle relaxants are used to relax muscle tone and alleviate painful muscle contractions. However, the choice of skeletal muscle relaxants depends on the duration of the surgical procedure in order to minimize potential side effects. Skeletal muscle relaxants like neuromuscular blocking agents [NMBAs] are commonly employed as adjuvants alongside general anesthetics in clinical settings. NMBAs are also used to maintain controlled ventilation during surgery of the larynx or pharynx as...
Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action01:28

Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action

Depolarizing blockers act on skeletal muscle fibers' membranes and induce their depolarization. Most depolarizing blockers have two quaternary N+ atoms that bind the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and cause neuromuscular blockade within minutes.
Succinylcholine is the most commonly used depolarizing blocker. Chemically, it constitutes two molecules of acetylcholine joined together by an acetate methyl group. They act on the receptors in the same way as acetylcholine. Because succinylcholine...

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A High Content Imaging Assay for Identification of Botulinum Neurotoxin Inhibitors
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Published on: November 14, 2014

Vitamin C for preventing and treating tetanus.

H Hemilä1, T T Koivula

  • 1University of Helsinki, Department of Public Health, POB 41, Mannerheimintie 172, Helsinki, Finland, FIN-00014. harri.hemila@helsinki.fi

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|April 22, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Vitamin C may reduce tetanus mortality, but evidence is limited. A single trial showed significant reductions in children and young adults, though more research is needed to confirm these findings for tetanus treatment.

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Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nutritional Science
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Tetanus remains a significant global health concern, particularly in regions with low vaccination coverage.
  • Elderly populations in developed countries are also at risk due to waning immunity.
  • Animal studies suggest vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has protective effects against infections, including tetanus toxin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the potential prophylactic and therapeutic benefits of vitamin C in managing tetanus.
  • To synthesize evidence from controlled trials on vitamin C's role in tetanus prevention and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search across multiple databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE up to January 2008.
  • Inclusion of controlled trials of vitamin C for tetanus, regardless of language or publication status.
  • Independent data extraction and inclusion decisions by two review authors.

Main Results:

  • A single, non-randomized trial conducted in Bangladesh involving 117 patients met the inclusion criteria.
  • Intravenous vitamin C (1 g/day) alongside conventional treatment showed a 100% reduction in mortality in children (1-12 years) and a 45% reduction in young adults (13-30 years).
  • Results were stratified by age group, with statistically significant confidence intervals for the observed mortality reductions.

Conclusions:

  • The sole eligible trial suggests a substantial decrease in tetanus-related mortality with vitamin C treatment.
  • However, significant concerns regarding the trial's quality and reporting necessitate cautious interpretation of these findings.
  • Vitamin C cannot be recommended for tetanus treatment based on current evidence; further high-quality trials are essential.