Bacteria Genomes - CLOSTRIDIUM TETANI

Tetanus disease is one of the most dramatic and globally prevalent diseases of humans and vertebrate animals, and has been reported for over 24 centuries. The manifestation of the disease, spastic paralysis, is caused by the second most poisonous substance known, the tetanus toxin, with a human lethal dose of approximately 1 ng/kg.

The causative agent of tetanus disease is Clostridium tetani, an anaerobic Gram-positive , spore-forming bacterium, whose natural habitat is soil, dust, and the intestinal tracts of various animals and which enters the host through wound sites.

This disease is successfully controlled through immunisation with tetanus toxoid; nevertheless, according to the World Health Organization, an estimated 400,000 cases still occur each year, mainly of neonatal tetanus.

Comparative genomics reveals a remarkable capacity of Clostridium tetani to rely on extensive sodium ion bioenergetics.

References:

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100(3):1316-1321(2003).
http://gnn.tigr.org/sequenced_genomes/genome_guide_p1.shtml#clost