It Is Possible to Cultivate Clostridium Tetani from a Wound

It is possible to cultivate Clostridium tetani from a wound, even if the affected person does not have tetanus. How can this be explained?

A) If Clostridium tetani is cultured from a wound, the person MUST have tetanus. However, in some people the signs and symptoms of tetanus are extremely mild, so it can be difficult to detect the disease in them.
B) Clostridium tetani may be growing vigorously in the wound. However, the organism only produces tetanospasmin if the person's immune system is compromised, so a healthy person may not develop the disease.
C) The wound may contain spores that can be germinated under appropriate conditions in culture. However, they will not germinate in a wound unless it is anaerobic. Since the spores themselves do not produce toxin, their presence does not lead to tetanus.
D) Clostridium tetani is part of the normal microbiota of the integumentary, cardiovascular, and lymphatic systems. It makes sense that it would be possible to culture the organism from a wound, even in a healthy person.
E)  None of these adequately explains how C. tetani can be cultured from the wound of a healthy person.

Correct Answer:

Verified

Unlock this answer now
Get Access to more Verified Answers free of charge

Access For Free