Which organism causes tetanus?

**Clostridium tetani** produces the toxins responsible for tetanus. The other listed organisms are not the cause identified in the material. The bacterium's spores are widespread in the environment, but disease results from toxin production after inoculation and germination. **Key takeaway:** Tetanus is a toxin-mediated disease caused by *C. tetani*.\n\n**Glossary:** **Toxin-mediated**: caused by the effects of a microbial toxin.