Bacillus anthrasis Bacillus cereus

Question 1

all bacillus share the ability of ?

Answer 1

production of endospores

Question 2

what are the two medically relevant bacilli species

Answer 2

Bacillus anthrasis

Bacillus cereus

Question 3

Name and describe 3 diseases caused by Bacillus anthrasis

Answer 3

1. cutaneous anthrax - painless covered in black eschar, surrouned by edema. 20% mortality
2. gastrointestinal anthrax - ulcer forms from site of invasion (mouth, esophagus, intestine) 100% mortality
3. inhalation anthrax - 100% fatal. flu like rapidly progress to respiratory distress. shock and death within 3 days
   causes pharyngeal anthrax - pharyngitis, neck swelling

Question 4

what is bioterrorism threat?

Answer 4

greatest danger of anthrax where it is used to kill people

cutaneous (human) gastrointestinal (animal)inhalation (bioterrorism)

Question 5

virulence factors of Bacillus anthrasis consist of 3 toxins

Answer 5

1. protective antigen PA
2. edema factor EF
3. lethal factor LF

Question 6

how do toxins make edema toxins?

Answer 6

protective antigen + edema factor
EF increases AMP levels resulting in edema
*calmodulin dependent

Question 7

How do toxins make lethal toxins?

Answer 7

protective antigen + lethal factor
LF cleaves MAP kinase resulting to cell death
*zinc dependent

Question 8

Where are the genes for virulence factor located?

Answer 8

1. (toxin component) PA, EF, LF are found on large plasmid pXO1
2. (capA capB capC genes) responsible of polypeptide capsule in sound in second plasmid pXO2

Question 9

what is the polypeptide used for in bacillus?

Answer 9

inhibit phagocytosis

Question 10

Where are anthrax infection high/low?

Answer 10

High infection- where anthrax is primarily a disease for animals and vaccination is low
Low infection- low exposure to contaminated animals/ animal products

Question 11

3 routes of infection for Bacillus cereus

Answer 11

inoculation
ingestion
inhalation

Question 12

name and describe 3 disease caused by Bacillus cereus

Answer 12

1. Gastroenteritis - heat stable enterotoxin
   causes to form emetic disease (vomit)
   heat labile causes diarrhea
2. ocular infection- caused by 3 toxins (necrotic toxin, cereolysin, phopholipase C). progressive distruction of eye
3. severe pulmonary disease- athrax like in immunocompetent patient