Toxin is poorly absorbed in intestine. Other host defenses are unknown. The clostridia are ubiquitous in the soil and some are part of the normal human flora. Heroin addicts are particularly susceptible to tetanus as a consequence of their life style. Poorly canned foods create an anaerobic environment.
Unkilled spores germinate and produce toxin.
PC patients secrete large numbers of spores in feces. This provides a reservoir. Symptomology and the presence of bacilli in the wound. Cramping and twitching around a wound, auditory hyperacuity and pain in neck and jaw. Tetanus is similar to strychnine ingestion so must exclude the latter.