Abstract
The concept that tetanus toxin interferes with inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS) has been supported by extensive neurophysiological, neuropharmacological, and neurochemical studies (Curtis and DeGroat, 1968; Fedinec, 1972; Habermann, 1970; Kryzhanousky, 1973; Laurence and Webster, 1963; Mellanby and Heyningen, 1965). Most of the symptomatology of tetanus appears to be related to this CNS inhibitory effect of the toxin. In addition, Ambache et al. (1948a,b) demonstrated that tetanus toxin also has a peripheral effect in that it blocks the release of acetylcholine from the cholinergic nerve terminals of the rabbit iris. More recently, Mellanby (1972) observed that in goldfish tetanus toxin produced a local paralysis of fin musculature after injecting tetanus toxin directly into the pectoral fin muscles. She concluded that it is likely that the toxin blocked presynaptic neuromuscular transmission. However, Leonardi (1973) suggests that tetanus toxin may also inhibit acetylcholinesterase.
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Fedinec, A.A., King, L.E., Latham, W.C. (1976). Glycine, Theophylline, and Antitoxin Effects on Rabbit Sphincter Pupillae Muscle Paralyzed by Tetanus Toxin. In: Ohsaka, A., Hayashi, K., Sawai, Y., Murata, R., Funatsu, M., Tamiya, N. (eds) Animal, Plant, and Microbial Toxins. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0889-8_30
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