THE RELATIONSHIP OF TOXIN AND ANTITOXIN INJECTION SITE TO TETANUS DEVELOPMENT IN THE RAT

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Abstract
Local tetanus followed intramuscular, endoneurial, and epineurial injection of 3 MLD of toxin; blood-borne tetanus also appeared in the latter instance. Tetanus dolorosus followed intraspinal injection of toxin. Both dorsal tetanus and blood-borne tetanus developed after subdural administration of toxin. Blood-borne tetanus, alone, appeared followed intravenous and subarachnoid injection of toxin. In no case did injection of 3 "minimal protective doses" of antitoxin at the various sites listed above prevent local tetanus from developing after intramuscular injection of 3 MLD of toxin. Of the various sites injected with antitoxin, the intramuscular, intraspinal, and intravenous were the most effective. It is suggested that the endoneurial tissue spaces serve as a conduit for tetanus toxin from the muscle to the central nervous system. The role of perilemma of the peripheral nerve trunk, as a selectively permeable membrane for tetanus toxin and antitoxin, is discussed.