Anaerobic Bacterial Infections Flashcards
Clostridia
what type of anaerobic rods are these?
spore forming
Clostridia
which two Clostridia are the two most potent biological toxins known to humans?
- botulinum
- tetani
Clostridia
4 different disorders
- botulism
- tetanus
- gas gangrene
- c. diff
Clostridium botulinum
3 types
- foodborne
- wound (not as common as the others)
- infant
Clostridium botulinum
what is associated w/ foodborne bot?
canning, smoking, vaccuum packing food
Clostridium botulinum
what is associated with wound bot?
IV drug use
Clostridium botulinum
what is seen with infant bot?
honey ingestion
Clostridium botulinum
what does bot toxin do?
paralysis
Clostridium botulinum
how does bot toxin cause paralysis?
prevents release of ACH at neuromuscular junctions and autonomic synapses
Clostridium botulinum
signs and sx
8 components
- development of sudden, fluctuating, severe weakness w/ intact sensation
- diplopia, loss of accomodation, ptosis, impairment of extraocular muscles, pupils fixed/dilated
- dry mouth
- dysphagia
- dysphonia
- symmetrical paralysis that is descending
- tendon reflexes in tact
- normal sensory exam
Clostridium botulinum
why are infants more susceptible to spores that wouldn’t typically make adults ill?
Infant Bot
incompletely developed intestinal flora
Clostridium botulinum
first sign of infant bot? followed by?
- constipation
- lethargy, poor feeding
Clostridium botulinum
Dx
- notify PH/CDC at first suspicion
- analysis of serum, stool, gastric contents
- consider electrophysiologic studies
Clostridium botulinum
Tx
5 things
- anti-toxin
- give before confirmation if suspicions are high enough
- must be released by PH
- hospitalize pt ASAP
- intubation/mech vent if respiratory failure occured
Clostridium botulinum
Antitoxin contraindication
horse serum allergy
Clostridium botulinum
what do you give for infant bot?
babybig (bot immunoglobin)
Clostridium tetani
pathophys
- produces neurotoxin tetanospasmin
- interferes with neurotransmission at spinal synapses of inhibitory neurons
Clostridium tetani
incubation period
8-12 days
Clostridium tetani
at risk population
unvax people
Clostridium tetani
initial signs & sx
- pt remains awake/alert
- pain at wound site
- spasticity of regional muscles
- jaw muscle stiffness
- stiffness of neck/other muscles
- dysphagia
- irritability
Clostridium tetani
later signs & sx
- hyperreflexia
- spasm of jaw or facial muscles
- rigidity and spasms of abdomen/neck/back
- painful tonic convulsions precipitated by minimal stimuli
- asphyxia if pumlp spasms
Clostridium tetani
dx
clinical observation
Clostridium tetani
tx
- human tetanus immuneglobin 500 units, IM
- wound debridement
- Metrondiazole, 7.5 mg/kg IV/PO, Q6 hrs, 7-10 days
- bed rest
- sedation, paralysis, mech vent often needed
- g-tube nutrition
Clostridium tetani
when must human tetanus immune globin be given by?
w/in 24 hrs of sx onset