Definition

Tetanus is an acute disease caused by production of a neurotoxin within a host infected by the bacterium Clostridium tetani.

The Clostridium genus of bacteria is probably one of the most unfortunate to get infected with – as well as tetanus, it also contains Clostridium difficile (C. diff), C. bolulinum (botulism) and C. perfringens (gas gangrene).