Bacillis - Exam 2 Flashcards

1
Q

Which species of Bacillus is the only consistent pathogen of vertebrates?

A

B. anthracis

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2
Q

Bacillis is catalase _________, and is important in distinguishing it from which other bacteria?

A

Catalase positive

Catalase production important to distinguish from Clostridia

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3
Q

When does Bacillus form spores?

A

When subjected to stress, for protection

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4
Q

True/False. A spore always needs to form a capsule.

A

False! It does not!

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5
Q

What are the plasmids that are important virulence factors and regulatory genes?

A

pX01 and pX02

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6
Q

What does the plasmid pX01 contain?

A

AtxA (Anthrax toxin activator)

AcpA (Anthrax capsule activator)

Gene for edema and lethal toxin

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7
Q

What does the plasmid pX02 contain?

A

Gene for encoding the capsule

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8
Q

Which form of Bacillis produces a capsule?

A

Vegetative form

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9
Q

What is the capsule of Bacillis composed of?

A

D-glutamyl polypeptide

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10
Q

Which type of Bacillis isolates are used for vaccines?

A

Non-encapsulated isolates because they are avirulent

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11
Q

What is lethal toxin composed of?

A

Protective antigen (responsible for binding target cells)

and

Lethal factor (responsible for toxicity)

At low doses causes a cytokine “storm” leading to multi-organ disfunction

At higher concentrations produces apoptosis of macrophages

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12
Q

What is edema toxin composed of?

A

Protective antigen (responsible for binding to target cells)

and

Edema factor (causes electrolyte and fluid loss in affected cells)

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13
Q

What are the two effects of the edema factor?

A

EF will either kill macrophages or cause edema in tissue

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14
Q

Calcium in combination with __________, allows the spore to survive decades in a dry environment.

A

Dipicolinic acid

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15
Q

Which species is almost totally resistant to Bacillis anthracis?

A

Birds

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16
Q

What is the main reservoir for Bacillis anthracis?

A

Soil and water

(herbivores are most susceptible)

17
Q

How is Bacillis transmitted and what is the infectious unit?

A

Infections takes place by:

  1. Ingestion of contaminated feed or water
  2. Via wound infection and arthropod bits

Infectious unit is the endospore

18
Q

What are the most susceptible species to Bacillis anthracis and what does it cause?

A

RUMINANTS! (cattle and sheep)

SEPTICEMIA! (and bleeding at body orifices)

19
Q

True/False. Rigor mortis is often absent with infection of Bacillis?

A

True

20
Q

What does Bacillis anthracis cause in horses?

A

Colic and diarrhea

Edema mainly in point of infection

Septicemia

21
Q

What tissue is typically infected with Bacillis in swine?

A

Pharyngeal tissue

22
Q

What are the three types of anthrax in humans?

A

Cutaneous anthrax

GI anthrax

Pulmonary or inhalation anthrax

23
Q

True/False. Bacillis anthracis can contaminate the soil after the animal it was infecting has died.

A

True

24
Q

True/False. You should perform a field necropsy on animals suspected of dying from Bacillis anthracis?

A

FALSE! NO FIELD NECROPSY!!!!!!!!!

25
Q

What stain is used to ID Bacillis anthracis?

A

McFadyean’s methylene blue

26
Q

What is the main treatment for Bacillis anthracis?

A

Antimicrobial treatment with antiserum

27
Q

Which type of Bacillis is associated with abortion and bovine mastitis?

A

Bacillis cereus

28
Q

Which type of Bacillis is associated with food spoilage?

A

B. licheniformis

29
Q

True/False. Bacillis is a reportable disease.

A

TRUE

30
Q

True/False. Bacillis is an obligate anaerobe.

A

FALSE.

Bacillis is a facultative anaerobe