Tetanus case in a herd of sheep in Muğla province

Year 2026, Issue: Advanced Online Publication, 1 - 3

Çağatay Nuhay

https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1703561

Abstract

Tetanus is a life-threatening neuroparalytic disease caused by the potent exotoxin tetanospasmin, produced by Clostridium tetani. This anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium enters the host primarily through deep or necrotic wounds. Although tetanus is often sporadic in ruminants, outbreaks may follow invasive procedures such as ear tagging, tail docking, or castration. In this report, we present a field case of tetanus in a herd of sheep from Muğla province, Türkiye. Following clinical suspicion, bacteriological culture and molecular PCR analysis, we have confirmed C. tetani from an ear wound. The case emphasizes the critical role of wound hygiene and vaccination in disease prevention. Comparative outbreak data and recent literature are used to contextualize the case within regional and global patterns of ovine tetanus.

Keywords

Clostridium tetani , Neurotoxin , PCR , Tetanus , Sheep

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