Clostridium tetani growth and toxin production in the intestines of germfree rats.
Germfree rats were challenged orally and intrarectally with spores of Clostridium tetani. Although C. tetani spores remained viable in the intestinal tract, they were unable to germinate. Germfree rats were then challenged orally with vegetative cells of C. tetani. Vegetative cells were able to colonize the intestinal tract, replicate, and produce toxin. Tetanus antitoxin, but no tetanus toxin, was detected in the sera of monoassociated rats.
D000818:Animals; D003017:Clostridium tetani / Q000254:growth & development*; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin / Q000032:analysis; D013744:Tetanus Toxin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin; D013744:Tetanus Toxin