Diagnosis Diagnosis is primarily by the clinical symptoms (above). The wound may not be obvious C tetani can be recovered from the wound in only about one-third of the cases It is important for the clinician to be aware that toxigenic strains of C tetani can grow actively in the wound of an immunized person. Numerous syndromes, including rabies and meningitis, have symptoms similar to those of tetanus and must be considered in the differential diagnosis.Diagnosis ◼ Diagnosis is primarily by the clinical symptoms (above). The wound may not be obvious. ◼ C tetani can be recovered from the wound in only about one-third of the cases. ◼ It is important for the clinician to be aware that toxigenic strains of C tetani can grow actively in the wound of an immunized person. ◼ Numerous syndromes, including rabies and meningitis, have symptoms similar to those of tetanus and must be considered in the differential diagnosis