Aerobic Gram Positive Bacilli Flashcards
Non-spore forming, Non-branching Gram positive bacilli
MNEMONIC: GLECAL
* Gardnerella vaginalis
* Listeria
* Erysipelothrix
* Corynebacterium
* Arcanobacterium
* Lactobacillus
Non-spore forming, Branching, Aerobic Actinomycetes
MNEMONIC: TANGRS
* Tsukamurella, or Tropheryma whipplei
* Aerobic actinomyces
* Nocardia
* Gordonia
* Rhodoccocus
* Streptomyces
Non-spore forming, Non-branching, Catalase positive (+) Bacilli
- Corynebacterium
- Rothia
- Listeria
Non-spore forming, Non-branching, Catalase negative (-) Bacilli
- Arcanobacterium and Trueperella
- Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
- Gardnerella vaginalis
- Lactobacillus
It is also known as “Kleb Loeffler’s Bacillus”
Corynebacterium spp.
Corynebacterium spp. are also known as _________.
Kleb Loeffler’s Bacillus
Gram stain reaction and morphology of Corynebacterium spp.
Slightly curved, gram positive (+) rods with no parallel sides, and slightly wider ends producing a “club shape” or “coryneform” appearance
Coryne means _______.
Club or club-shaped rods
An organism characterized by its “club-shape” or “coryneform” appearance.
Corynebacterium spp.
Corynebacterium spp. are also called as _________.
Diphtheroids
_______ are also called as Diphtheroids.
Corynebacterium spp.
Diphtheroids mean _________.
Diphtheria-like
Corynebacterium spp. can be divided into _________ species.
Lipophilic and Non-lipophilic
These are fastidious organisms that grow slowly on standard culture media, and must be incubated for at least 48 hours.
Lipophilic
To enhance the growth of Lipophilic species, _______ must be added in the culture media.
Lipids
Lipophilic species should be incubated for at least ________.
48 hours
Virulence factors associated with Corynebacterium spp.
Diphtheria Toxin
TRUE OR FALSE.
Diphtheria toxin is a heat-stable toxin.
False
Answer: heat-labile
Diphtheria toxin is produced by __________.
C. diphtheriae strains that are infected with lysogenic β-phage
Diphtheria toxin is produced by strains of C. diphtheriae infected with ______.
lysogenic β-phage
__________ carries the gene “tox” for diphtheria toxin.
C. diphtheriae strains that are infected with lysogenic β-phage
C. diphtheriae strains that are infected with lysogenic β-phage carries the gene _______ for diphtheria toxin.
tox
Diphtheria toxin is a protein of _______ daltons (Da).
62,000 Da
Diphtheria toxin is composed of _____ fragments.
2
Which fragment of Diphtheria toxin functions in cytotoxicity?
Fragment A
How is Fragement A of Diphtheria toxin virulent?
It functions in cytotoxicity
Which fragment of Diphtheria toxin functions in binding to receptors and mediates the entry of the other fragment?
Fragment B
How is Fragment B of Diphtheria toxin virulent?
It binds to receptors, and mediates the entry of Fragment A into the cytoplasm
Infections caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae
- Respiratory diphtheria
- Cutaneous diphtheria
Which organism often stains irregularly when stained with methylene blue?
Corynebacterium spp.
Corynebacterium spp. often stained irregularly when stained with ________.
methylene blue
Metachromatic areas of Corynebacterium diphtheriae are called __________.
Babes-Ernst Granules
Babes-Ernst Granules represent the _________.
accumulation of polymerizes polyphosphates
Babes-Ernst Granules is a characteristic found in ________.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Aerotolerance of Corynebacterium spp.
Facultative anaerobe
Optimal growth temperature of Corynebacterium spp.
37 C
Corynebacterium spp. can multiply within the temperature range _______.
15 - 40 C
Can Corynebacterium spp. grow on nutrient agar?
Yes
How can Corynebacterium spp. grow better?
By using a medium containing blood or serum such as:
* Loeffler’s serum
* Pai agar
Corynebacterium spp. produces a ______ of hemolysis.
very small zone of β-hemolysis
Which culture media is often used for Corynebacterium diphtheriae?
Cystine-Tellurite Blood Agar (CTBA)
What kind of medium is CTBA according to function?
Selective and Differential
Which inhibitor is present in CTBA?
Potassium tellurite
What does potassium tellurite do in CTBA?
Inhibits the growth of non-coryneform bacteria
It is a modification of the Tinsdale medium
Cystine-Tellurite Blood Agar (CTBA)
Cystine-Tellurite Blood Agar (CTBA) is a modification of ________.
Tinsdale Medium
Tinsdale medium components
- Sheep RBCs
- Bovine serum
- Cysteine
- Potassium tellurite
Describe the colonies of Corynebacterium diphtheriae when grown in CTBA
Black or Brown colonies
The black or brown colonies formed in CTBA is due to the _______.
reduction of tellurite
Which organisms form a brown halo when cultured in CTBA?
- Corynebacterium diphtheriae
- Corynebacterium ulcerans
- Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
The brown halo formed by some organisms in CTBA is due to the ___________.
result of cystinase activity
Catalase reaction of Corynebacterium spp.
Positive (+)
Are Corynebacterium spp. motile?
No
Urease reaction of Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Negative (-)
Which carbohydrates does Corynebacterium diphtheriae ferment?
Glucose and Maltose
Corynebacterium diphtheriae can produce ______ but not ______.
acid, not gas
Nitrate to nitrite reduction result of Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Positive (+)
Test for toxigenity of Corynebacterium spp.
In-Vitro Test
In-vitro test is also known as ________.
ELEK Test
In-vitro test is a type of ________ test.
immunodiffusion
Treatment for Corynebacterium spp.
- Administration of Antitoxins (antibodies)
- Penicillin
- Erythromycin (for penicillin sensitive patients)
Drug of Choice for Corynebacterium spp.
Penicillin
______ can be used as a treatment against Corynebacterium spp. for patients who are penicillin sensitive.
Erythromycin
Which organism is characterized by its flat and dry, matte or waxy appearance, and is non-lipophilic?
Corynebacterium amycolatum
Describe the appearance of Corynebacterium amycolatum
Flat and dry, matte or waxy
Is Corynebacterium amycolatum lipophilic?
No
Corynebacterium amycolatum is resistant to ________.
MNEMONIC: BFAMC
* β-lactams
* Fluoroquinolones
* Aminoglycosides
* Macrolides
* Clindamycin
Corynebacterium amycolatum is ______ to various antimicrobial agents such as β-lactams, Fluoroquinolones, Aminoglycosides, Macrolides, and Clindamycin
resistant
Corynebacterium amycolatum is a normal microbiota of the _______.
skin
Which organism is named after Johnson and Kaye?
Corynebacterium jeikeium
Corynebacterium jeikeium is named after _________.
Johnson and Kaye
These are the first individuals who linked C. jeikeium to human infections.
Johnson and Kaye
Johnson and Kaye contribution
The first individuals who linked C. jeikeium to human infections
Corynebacterium jeikeium is a normal microbiota of the _____.
skin
_____ is the most common cause of Corynebacterium associated prosthetic valve endocarditis in adults.
Corynebacterium jeikeium
Corynebacterium jeikeium is the most common cause of ________.
Corynebacterium associated Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis
Other than prosthetic valve endocarditis, which infections can be caused by C. jeikeium?
- Septicemia
- Meningitis
- Prosthetic joint infections
- Rash
- Subcutaneous nodules
Is Corynebacterium jeikeium lipophilic?
Yes
Aerotolerance of Corynebacterium jeikeium
Strict aerobe
Is Corynebacterium jeikeium hemolytic?
No
Urease reaction of Corynebacterium jeikeium
Negative (-)
Nitrate reduction reaction of Corynebacterium jeikeium
Negative (-)
Drug of Choice for Corynebacterium jeikeium
Vancomycin
Which organism does not show the characteristic pleomorphic morphology?
Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum
Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum is not ______ in terms of morphology.
pleomorphic
Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum often appears in _______.
palisades
Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum is a normal flora of the ______.
nasopharynx
_______ can grow on standard laboratory media.
Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum
Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum can grow on __________.
standard laboratory media
Urease reaction of Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum
Positive (+)
Nitrate reduction reaction of Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum
Positive (+)
The respiratory infection produced by Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum can mimic __________.
respiratory diphtheria
The respiratory infection produced by _______ can mimic respiratory diphtheria.
Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum
Which Corynebacterium sp. is a veterinary pathogen?
- Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
- Corynebacterium ulcerans
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is a ______ pathogen.
veterinary
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent of __________.
Granulomatous Lymphadenitis
________ is the causative agent of Granulomatous Lymphadenitis.
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis produces how many types of toxins?
2
2 types of toxins produced by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
- Dermonecrotic toxin
- Diphtheria toxin
It causes death of various cell types
Dermonecrotic toxin
What does dermonecrotic toxin do?
Cause death of various cell types
Urease reaction of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
Positive (+)
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, when cultured in ______ produces small, yellowish-white colonies.
SBA
Colonial appearance of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in SBA
Small, yellowish-white colonies
Which organism exhibits small, yellowish-white colonies on SBA?
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
Is Corynebacterium striatum lipophiilic?
No
Is Corynebacterium striatum pleomorphic?
Yes
Which organism produces small, shiny, colonies after 24 hours of incubation?
Corynebacterium striatum
Colonial appearance of Corynebacterium striatum
Small, shiny, convex colonies after 24 hours
Corynebacterium striatum is a normal flora of the _______.
skin
Corynebacterium striatum is associated with _______ infections.
nosocomial
Corynebacterium striatum is resistant to ________.
- β-lactams
- Fluoroquinolones
- Macrolides
- Penicillin
_________ is resistant to β-lactams, Fluoroquinolones, Macrolides, Penicillin
Corynebacterium striatum
Corynebacterium striatum is ________ to β-lactams, Fluoroquinolones, Macrolides, Penicillin
resistant
Corynebacterium striatum is susceptible to ________.
Vancomycin
Corynebacterium ulcerans grows well on _______.
SBA
Corynebacterium ulcerans exhibits a ________ of hemolysis on SBA.
Narrow zone of β-hemolysis
Which Corynebacterium sp. grows well on SBA and produces a narrow zone of β-hemolysis?
Corynebacterium ulcerans
Nitrate reduction reaction of Corynebacterium ulcerans
Negative (-)
Which characteristic differentiates C. ulcerans from C. diphtheriae?
(-) nitrate reduction
The nitrate reduction reaction of C. ulcerans differentiates it from ________.
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Colonial apperance of Corynebacterium ulcerans
Grayish-white
Urease reaction of Corynebacterium ulcerans
Positive (+)
Corynebacterium ulcerans is a ______ pathogen.
veterinary
The causative agent of mastitis
Corynebacterium ulcerans
Corynebacterium ulcerans is the causative agent of _______.
Mastitis
Is Corynebacterium urealyticum lipophilic?
Yes
Aerotolerance of Corynebacterium urealyticum
Strict aerobe
Corynebacterium urealyticum is most commonly associated with _____.
UTIs
__________ is most commonly associated with UTIs.
Corynebacterium urealyticum
Colonial apperance of Corynebacterium urealyticum
Pinpoint, non-hemolytic, white colonies with coryneform apperance
Which organism exhibits pinpoint, non-hemolytic, white with coryneform appearance of colonies?
Corynebacterium urealyticum
Nitrate reduction reaction of Corynebacterium urealyticum
Negative (-)
Catalase reaction of Corynebacterium urealyticum
Positive (+)
Urease reaction of Corynebacterium urealyticum
Positive (+)
Drug of Choice for Corynebacterium urealyticum
Vancomycin
Gram stain reaction and morphology of Rothia spp.
Gram positive (+) cocci that can appear rod-shaped
Which organism is a gram positive (+) cocci that can appear rod-shaped?
Rothia spp.
Rothia spp. belong to the Family ________.
Micrococcaceae
Nitrate reaction of Rothia spp.
Positive (+)
Esculin hydrolysis reaction of Rothia spp.
Positive (+)
Urease reaction of Rothia spp.
Negative (-)
Are Rothia spp. motile?
No
Approximately 2/3 of Rothia spp. isolates are _________.
Catalase positive (+)
Approximately ______ of Rothia spp. are Catalase (+)
2/3
There are how many species of Rothia?
6
2 significant species of Rothia
- Rothia mucillaginosa
- Rothia dentocariosa
Which Rothia sp. is linked to bacteria, endocarditis, and pneumonia?
Rothia mucillaginosa
Rothia mucillaginosa is linked to _________.
Bacteremia, endocarditis, and pneumonia
Which Rothia sp. is a normal flora of the oropharynx and is found in the saliva?
Rothia dentocariosa
Rothia dentocariosa is a ________.
normal flora of the oropharnyx, and is found in the saliva
Microscopic characteristics of Rothia spp.
- Resembles coryneform bacilli
- Produces coccoid cells
Which microscopic characteristic of Rothia differentiates it from Actinomycetes?
Production of coccoid cells
Listeria monocytogenes is the causative agent of _________.
Listeriosis
________ is the causative agent of Listeriosis.
Listeria monocytogenes
It is an uncommon, but serious infection primarily of neonates, pregnant women, older patients, and immunocompromised hosts.
Listeriosis
Where can Listeriosis be recovered?
soil, water, and animal products
Virulence factors of Listeria monocytogenes
- Hemolysin (Listeriolysin O)
- Catalase
- Superoxide dismutase
- Phospholipase C
- Surface protein (p60)
Which virulence factor of L. monocytogenes damages the phagosome membrane, and prevents killing of organism by macrophages?
Hemolysin (Listeriolysin O)
How is hemolysin (listeriolysin O) virulent?
It damages the phagosome membrane, and prevents killing of the organism by macrophages
Which virulence factor of L. monocytogenes inhibits phagocytosis?
Surface protein (p60)
How is surface protein (p60) virulent?
It inhibits phagocytosis
Which stage of pregnancy can Listeriosis be identified?
Third trimester