Tetanus toxin

Tetanus toxin is a protein toxin produced by the tetanus bacterium. It consists of two fractions: tetanolysin and tetanospasmin.

Tetanospasmin is the main fraction of the toxin that causes muscle spasms. This leads to the development of tetanus, a serious disease that can lead to death if left untreated.

Tetonolysin is a less active fraction that helps protect the bacterium from the body's immune system.

**Tetanus toxin**

Tetanus (from the Old Latin tetani, tetana - “muscle cramps”) is an acute infectious disease with high fever, often with skeletal muscle cramps, occurring without pronounced symptoms. In the distant past, it covered large areas with the subsequent return of outbreaks due to human migration. Currently, it is widespread among bacteria carriers, asymptomatic forms of the disease and people with weakened immune systems. Of the 50 countries where carriers of the infectious agent are found, 23 carry out active immunization; in another dozen there are no plans to introduce tetanus toxoid. With a sharp increase in the number of people with low immunity, this infection will become