Anthrax, Plague, Viral Bioweapons

Question 1

Bacillus anthracis

Answer 1

Gram + rod.
Spore-forming.
Anthrax toxin.
Edema toxin (edema factor + protective antigen).
Lethal toxin (lethal factor + protective antigen).
Only bacterium w polypeptide capsule (contains D-glutamate).

Cutaneous anthrax: painless papule surrounded by vesicles –> ulcer w black eschar (painless, necrotic) –> uncommonly to bacteremia and death.

Pulmonary anthrax: inhalation of spores –> flu-like sx –> fever, pulmonary hemorrhage, mediastinitis, shock. Woolsorter’s disease.

Tx: cipro or doxy 60 days.
Vaccine - inactivated

Question 2

Yersinia pestis

Answer 2

Gram - rod.
Grows on MacConkey's agar.
Bubonic plague!
Transmitted by fleas. 
Reservoir: rats and prairie dogs. Western US.

Question 3

Hemorrhagic fever viruses

Answer 3

Enveloped RNA viruses.
Syndrome where overall vascular system is damaged .
Ranges from mild to severe.
Usu supportive care - only vaccines for Junin and Yellow Fever viruses.

Question 4

Filoviruses

Answer 4

Enveloped.
ss -RNA linear.
Helical capsid.
Ebola/Marburg hemorrhagic fever.

Question 5

Bunyavirus

Answer 5

Enveloped.
ss -RNA circular.
3 segments (small, middle, large).
Helical capsule.
California encephalitis, Sandfly/Rift Valley fevers, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Hantavirus (hemorrhagic fever, pneumonia).

Question 6

Poxvirus

Answer 6

Enveloped, ds linear DNA virus (largest DNA virus).
Smallpox eradicated by live-attenuated vaccine.
Cowpox - milkmaid blisters.
Molluscum contagiosum - flesh colored papule w central umbilication.

Question 7

Ebola virus

Answer 7

Filovirus.
Targets endothelial cells, phagocytes, hepatocytes.
Incubation 21 days.
Abrupt onset flu-like sx, diarrhea, vomitting, high fever, myalgia.
Can progress to DIC, diffuse hemorrhage, shock.
Dx w RT-PCR w/in 48 hrs.
Transmission direct contact w bodily fluids, bats, primates, nosocomial infections.
Supportive care.
Strict isolation.