On 30 Jul 2006 10:07:06 GMT, (Nick Maclaren) wrote:
No, it doesn't. It says that the spores are found in those locations,
and NOT that it reproduces in those locations. Spores can't reproduce
by themselves, you know, and the vegetative (reproductive) state of
tetanus is very sensitive to adverse conditions - not just oxygen.

Nick, C.Tetani DOES NOT require a host, dead or alive, to survive and
breed. Not only that, spores can and do change (quickly) from being
metabolically in-active to active, reproducing bacterial cells when
they encounter suitable conditions (PH, lack of O2, temperature). I
asked a friend who is doing his micro-bio plus i googled it. The
spores themselves don't reproduce, but in a O2 deficit environment
(possibly wet clay soil and wounds) the bacteria ought to thrive.

http://www.bookrags.com/sciences/gen...ia-gen-02.html
(Look for "Clostrodium")
http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/clostridia.html
(Look for "ancient organisms")