The causative agent of tetanus.
Causative organism of human and animal tetanus, this totally anaerobic clostridium is characterized by possession of a large terminal spore, and excretes an exotoxin of great power. The organism is often present in human and animal faeces (commensally), thus infecting wounds contaminated with manured soil. Tetanus antitoxin is used proplylactically and for treatment, and tetanus toxoid for active immunization.