The disease and its agent Tetanus, sometimes called lock-jaw, is an acute disease caused by a neurotoxic exotoxin of the bacteria, Clostridium tetani . The disease is now fairly uncommon in most industrialised countries but may be a more significant cause of death in some countries, including parts of Asia, Africa and South America.
Highest fatality occurs in infants and elderly people.
In Australia death occurs in about 10 per cent of cases. Early symptoms of infection with C. tetani include localised peripheral nerve and muscle spasms. As the organism multiplies at the wound site, toxin spreads via the bloodstream causing generalised spasms and convulsions. Death usually results from respiratory failure, hypertension, hypotension or cardiac arrhythmia. Tetanus is not directly transmitted from person to person.