Anthrax and Plague Flashcards
What is the anthrax organism called?
Bacillus anthracis
What is the other bacillus that causes disease?
bacillus cereus (food poisoning)
Virulence factors of bacillus anthracis:
Capsule - is a poly D-glutamic acid (an AA opposed to polysaccharide like usual)
Toxins - Edema Toxin and Lethal Toxin
What is the make up of edema toxin in bacillus anthracis?
edema toxin = EF + PA
edema factor: calmodulin-dependent bacterial adenylate cyclase (increases cAMP)
protective antigen: b-subunit and cell binding component. (anti-PA antibodies neutralize it)
What is the make up of lethal toxin in bacillus anthracis?
Lethal toxin = LF + PA
lethal factor: zinc-metaloprotease cleaves mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) to inhibit MAPK pathway.
Protective Antigen: b-subunit and cell binding component. (anti-PA antibodies neutralize it)
Where do bacillus anthracis come from?
soil reservoir
herbivores infected
transmission to humans: animal contact, meat, hide/wool/etc.
Forms of anthrax disease
Cutaneous (malignant pustule) - most common in nature
Gastrointestinal - rare
Inhalational
Diagnosis of inhalational anthrax
CXR pathognomonic - widened mediastinum with pleural effusions, no infiltrates
Gram stain of blood shows broad Gram-positive rods.
Treatment of bioterrorist attack with anthrax
Ciprofloxacin or doxycycline for 60 days
What organism causes THE PLAGUE!
Yersinia pestis
Yersinia pestis characteristics
gram-negative rod
with Wayson staining, looks like blue safety pins
How is Yersinia pestis transmitted
FLEAS..little bastards
