Tetanus in Rabbits Bred at Elementary Schools

Abstract

Such tetanus symptoms as rigor of the limbs were detected in 2 deadrabbits that had been bred at 2 different elementary schools in Tokyo. A total of 11 strains of Clostridium tetani were isolated from abscesses on the rabbits and from soil samples collected from the breeding areas. The biological characteristics of the strains were identified, and the polymerase chain reaction method detected the tetanospasmin gene. The strains were classified into 4 groups according to genetic analysisby pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).