Protection of Horses against Tetanus by Active Immunisation with Alum Toxoid

Clostridium botulinumandClostridium tetani

“…These studies and those of Tizzoni and Cattoni (1890a, b) provided evidence that a cell-free toxin (tetanus neurotoxin; often referred to as tetanospasmin) was responsible for the disease. Behring and Kitasato (1890) discovered an immune response to inactive toxin, and in the 1920s Glenny and Ramon (Glenny et al 1926(Glenny et al , 1932Lem e etayer 1934, 1935) independently discovered that the toxin treated with formalin caused inactivation, and on administration to animals, elicited an immune response. The prevention of tetanus intoxication by vaccination is one of the great discoveries of medicine.…”

“…Humans with mild cases of botulism also exhibit poor coordination of the arms and legs. Autonomic symptoms of botulism may persist for months such as numbness, dizziness, dry mouth, and impairment of salivary and lacrimal secretions (Dressler and Benecke 2004;Goode and Shearn 1982;Jenzer et al 1975). In severe cases, extreme muscular weakness leaves the patient unable to raise the head, arms, or legs.…”

“…The visual disturbances and ability to freely defecate are the last to regain function. Some patients continue to experience weakness, fatigue, and symptoms of impaired autonomic nervous system dysfunction such as dry mouth, constipation, and impotence even after 1-2 years following the onset of botulism (Cherington 1990;Colebatch et al 1989;Goode and Shearn 1982;Dressler and Benecke 2004).…”