A 3-day-old neonate is brought with refusal to feed, rigidity, and spasms. The mother had no antenatal care and delivered at home with an unclean blade cutting the cord. On examination, the infant has a normal cry at birth but developed trismus on day 2. Which organism is responsible?
- A Clostridium botulinum
- B Clostridium tetani ✓
- C Corynebacterium diphtheriae
- D Bordetella pertussis
Correct answer: B. Clostridium tetani
Explanation
Neonatal tetanus classically presents on day 3 to 28 of life (commonly day 5 to 7) with feeding refusal, rigidity, and spasms, following unsterile cord care in an unimmunized mother. Clostridium tetani produces tetanospasmin, which blocks inhibitory neurotransmitter release. Botulum causes floppy infant syndrome; diphtheria causes membrane; pertussis causes paroxysmal cough, not rigidity.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.