Bacillus Flashcards
What does the toxin of gastrointestinal anthrax do?
Necrotic lesions in intestine or mouth, pharynx
How is gastrointestinal anthrax taken in?
Contaminated meat (it’s rare!!)
When did we most recently see inhalational anthrax?
After 9/11, people were mailed envelopes of it and caused 4 deaths
What damage does the toxin of inhalational anthrax cause?
Necrosis and bleeding in lungs
How is bacillus cereus transported?
Through food (food poisoning)
What are the 2 strains (toxins) of bacillus cereus?
Diarrheal toxin (veg, salads, meat, casseroles) Emetic toxin (dense carbs like mashed potatoes, other starchy foods and vegetable sprouts) - causes vomiting
Do bacillus cereus create endospores?
Yes!
Do bacillus anthracis form endospores?
Yes!
Does corynebacterium form endospores?
Nope
What is the shape of corynebacterium diphtheriae?
Club shaped pleomorphic rod (Caveman clubs!)
What is propionibacterium known for causing?
Acne (the bane of high school pizza faces and bacne)
Which toxic fragment of corynebacterium diphtheriae causes necrosis?
Toxin fragment A
What is the primary reservoir of corynebacterium diphtheriae?
Humans!
We inhale it or introduce through wound
What is the characteristic appearance of corynebacterium diphtheriae infection?
Whitish gray PSEUDOMEMBRANE at back of the throat
If it bursts and toxin enters the blood, it will attack the nerves, heart and kidneys and cause defects, even if the person survives
How do you diagnose corynebacterium diphtheriae?
Throat swab but not ready for days
Schick test - inject dilute toxin and see if they had a reaction (testing children’s immunities at school)
PCR and look for specific tox gene
ELISA to detect toxin
Does listeria monocytogenes form endospores?
Nope
What is unique about the size of listeria?
It is comparatively small to other bacteria we have looked at
Where does listeria thrive?
Food (refrigerated goodies like cheese - Blue Bell problem)
Who is at risk?
Neonates (from mom)
Pregnant moms and particularly their fetuses (lose their fetus)
Immunosuppressive patients
What is granulomatosis infantiseptica?
Sepsis of the fetus acquired across the placenta (term not in notes)
Why you shouldn’t eat unpasteurized dairy or cold cuts when pregnant