Tetanus
OPV tolerates freezing, tetanus toxoid is damaged by freezing, and OPV and rotavirus can be given together.
What our notes say
- OPV tolerates freezing, tetanus toxoid is damaged by freezing, and OPV and rotavirus can be given together. (Paediatrics main exam (MBPE 4300): 24 January 2022, Paper One, 100 MCQs, 2 short)
- Storage temperatures: BCG, measles-rubella and oral polio vaccines (freeze-tolerant: OPV) are stored at 2 to 8 degrees (OPV can be frozen), and the freeze-sensitive vaccines (tetanus toxoid, DPT, hepatitis B, pentavalent, pneumococcal, and rotavirus) must never be frozen. (Paediatrics main exam (MBPE 4300): 24 January 2022, Paper One, 100 MCQs, 2 short)
- Antenatal care: detects and manages risk, gives IPTp, iron and folate, tetanus immunisation and counselling. (Reproductive Health 1 End of Trimester CAT: 40 MCQs and 4 short answers)
- Infection screening: HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and malaria prevention, with immunisation (rubella, tetanus). (Reproductive Health 1 End of Trimester CAT: November 2018)
- Preventive care: tetanus toxoid, IPTp-SP, iron and folate, deworming and insecticide-treated nets. (Reproductive Health 1 End of Trimester CAT: November 2018)
- Prevention: tetanus toxoid, IPTp-SP, iron and folate, nets (Reproductive Health 1 End of Trimester CAT: ectopic pregnancy, ANC and abortion )
Study material on Tetanus
- Medical Bacteriology And Parasitology End Year 2024/2025
- Streptococcus Classification, S. pyogenes, Rheumatic Fever, AGN
- Medical Bacteriology and Entomology Exam 2020/2021 MCQs
- Treatment of Infectious Disease: 5-case clinical quiz
- Paediatrics end of fourth year main exam: 1 July 2019, Paper One, 99 of 100 MCQs and essays
- Bacteriology and Entomology Main Exam
- Paediatrics and Child Health end of semester examination (MBPE): 10 January 2023
- Antenatal care
- Paediatrics main exam (MBPE 4300): 24 January 2022, Paper One, 100 MCQs, 2 short essays and 2 long essays
- Immunopathology Cat: Hypersensitivity & Anaphylaxis MCQs
- Medical Bacteriology and Entomology Exam 2020/2021 MCQs
Practice questions on Tetanus
Tetanus toxin and botulinum toxin exert their effects by disrupting the function of SNARES, inhibiting
- Propagation of the action potential
- The docking and binding of synaptic vesicles to the presynaptic membrane
- The binding of transmitter to the postsynaptic receptor
- The function of voltage-gated ion channels
- The reuptake of neurotransmitter by the presynaptic cell ✅ Answer: B
Answer: A. Tetanus and botulinum toxins are proteases that cleave SNARE proteins, preventing the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane and thus inhibiting neurotransmitter release.
The mode of spread of tetanus neurotoxin from blood to brain is via
- Lymphatics
- Arterial blood
- Cranial nerve
- None of the above
- Reduced by routine feedback control
Answer: A. Tetanus toxin spreads via retrograde axonal transport.
Tetanus toxin blocks the release of
- Acetylcholine
- SNARE proteins
- Inhibitory glycine and γ-aminobutyric acid
- Protective antigen
- Acetylcholine esterase
Answer: C. Tetanospasmin blocks release of inhibitory neurotransmitters (glycine and GABA) from Renshaw cells, causing unopposed muscle contraction and spastic paralysis. ---
The primary mechanism of tetanus toxin action involves
- Blocking acetylcholine release
- Blocking GABA and glycine release
- Activating sodium channels
- Inhibiting protein synthesis
- Mostly unchanged in early disease
Answer: A. Tetanus toxin (tetanospasmin) cleaves synaptobrevin, preventing the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters GABA and glycine from Renshaw cells. This results in uncontrolled muscle contractions and spastic paralysis characteristic of tetanus.
Which one of the following describes the mode of action of tetanospasmin (tetanus toxin)?
- It inhibits neurotransmitter release at inhibitory synapses in the spinal cord, leading to spastic paralysis.
- It blocks acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction, leading to flaccid paralysis.
- It causes rapid lysis of red blood cells.
- It inhibits protein synthesis in host cells.
Answer: A. Tetanospasmin acts in the central nervous system to inhibit the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters (GABA and glycine), resulting in uncontrolled muscle contraction and spastic paralysis.
Which one of the following describes the mode of action of tetanospasmin (Tetanus toxin)?
- Inhibition of muscle contraction
- Blocking release of inhibitory neurotransmitters (GABA/Glycine)
- Direct lysis of muscle cells
- Blocking the nicotinic receptor
Answer: B. Tetanospasmin blocks inhibitory signals, leading to spastic paralysis (uncontrolled contraction).