Anaerobic Bacteria Flashcards
Where do anaerobic bacteria live
GI tract of mammals
Are gram positive or gram negative anaerobes spore forming?
Gram positive -> clostridium spp
What are the anaerobic, gram negative, non-spore forming bacteria?
Fusobacterium necrophorum
Dichelobacter nodosus
Porphyromonas spp
Prevotella spp
How should you submit your sample if you suspect anaerobic bacteria for culture?
In anaerobic conditions .. shame on your cow if you got this wrong
What signs are consistent with anaerobic infection?
Foul smelling discharge Gas in tissue/discharge Necrotic tissue and abscess Pyogranulomatous lesions with sulfur granules Infections near/on mucous membranes Do not respond to aminoglycosides
What type of bacteria are clostridium sp?
Gram positive spore forming anaerobic rods
Where are clostridium sp found
Environment (soil)
Large bowel
_____________ toxin from clostridium perfringens is the most lethal toxin and considered a bioterrorism agent
Epsilon
What is the virulence and pathogenesis of clostridium?
All clostridium produce one or more protein toxin/ extracellular enzymes
Growth requires anaerobic conditions-> necrosis is common predisposing factor
What clostridium sp are neurotoxic
C. Botulinum
C. Tetani
C. Perfrignens
What clostridium sp are histotoxic
C. Chauvoei
C. Septicum
C. Novyi
C. Perfringens
What clostridium sp is enterotoxic
C. Perfringens
C. Difficile
What is the only clostridium sp that is neurotoxic, histotoxic, and enterotoxic?
C. Perfringens
___________ causes tetanus in humans and animals
Clostridium tetani
Where is C. Tetani found in the environment and where will it grow in the body
Soil and feces
Contaminated wounds
Clostridium tetani produces _______________ that will cause spastic paralysis
Tetanospasmin (potent neurotoxin)
Who are the hosts of C. Tetani
All animals
Horse > human > all other animals
What is the pathophysiology of tetanus?
Wound infection -> toxin produced in the wounds -> enters nerves by receptor mediated endocytosis -> retrograde transport along axons of peripheral motor nerves -> spinal cord -> prevents release of NT glycine and GABA
What is ascending tetanus? And who gets it?
Toxin travels from regional motor nerve of limb
occurs in susceptible animals (dog and cat)
What is descending tetanus? And who gets this most often?
Toxin in the blood steam affecting motor nerve centers in the head and neck first and then spread to the limbs
Humans and horses (more susceptible species)
Diagnosis of C. Tetani
History of wounds and clinical signs
Culture is often unrewarding -> Demonstration of toxin in serum or tissue is difficult
Serology
How do you treat C. Tetani infection
Antitoxin
Surgical debridement of wounds, hyperbaric oxygen
Supportive care
How is tetanus controlled?
Toxoid immunization (human, horse, small ruminant)
Post exposure prophylaxis
Prompt wound management
Aseptic surgical techniques
What determines species affinity of clostridium botulinum ?
Toxin type (A-G)
What causes botulism?
Food intoxication (food poisoning) due to consumption of food contaminated with botulinum neurotoxin
What is the pathogenesis of C. Botulinum?
Toxin absorbed from the GI tract and distributed in bloodstream
Occasional toxico-infectous forms
-> inhibits neurotransmitter release (ACh) -> flaccid paralysis
Symmetrical flaccid paralysis of muscles - hind limb paralysis and recumbence
Botulism
Skeletal muscle paralysis can lead to respiratory failure
Type E botulism is where?
Great Lakes- Erie and Huron
-> dead and dying fish eating birds, and dead fish
How do you diagnose botulism?
Demonstration of toxin in serum of animal
Toxin in food/stomach contents
MALDI TOF
ELISA
How do you treat botulism
Antitoxin (affects unbound toxin only)
Therapeutic drugs to enhance cholinergic neurotransmitter (ACh) release
Supportive care