Bacillus Spp. Flashcards

1
Q

What is the O2 requirement for Bacillus?

A

Aerobic OR Facultative Anaeobes

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2
Q

Where is Bacillus typically found?

A

Ubiquitous in nature; forms Endospores

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3
Q

T/F: most Bacillus spp. are soil saprophytes

A

TRUE

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4
Q

What spp. of bacillus is an obligate mammalian pathogen?

A

Bacillus anthracis

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5
Q

What is the source of infection for herbivores?

A

Soil contaminated with spores

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6
Q

Microscopically, B, anthracis are seen as ________?

A

Large, square-end, rods

Medusa head colonies

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7
Q

Virulence factors of B. Anthracis are (2)?

A

Cell associated and Extracellular

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8
Q

What is the cell associated virulence factor of B. Anthracis?

A

A Capsule : polymers of D glutamic acid

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9
Q

What is the extracellular virulence factor?

A

Anthrax Toxin (tripartite toxin) - 3 proteins working together to form toxin

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10
Q

If only capsule present, is B. anthracis virulent?

A

NO - must have both capsule and anthrax toxin to be virulent

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11
Q

Both virulence factors are encoded by ______________

A

Plasmids

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12
Q

Bacillus anthracis capsule is produced in vivo OR in vitro?

A

In vivo

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13
Q

The B. anthracis capsule is made of polymers of ______________

A

D-glutamic acid

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14
Q

The capsule allows B. anthracis to survive in the host because it is ___________

A

Anti-phagocytic

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15
Q

Bacillus anthracis can be stained using _______

A

McFadyean Reaction on stain with polychromatic methylene blue

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16
Q

Anthrax toxin is otherwise known as:

A

Tripartite Toxin

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17
Q

Three factors make up Tripartite (Anthrax) toxin:

A
  1. Edema Factor
  2. Lethal Factor
  3. Protective antigen
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18
Q

The combination of the 3 proteins results in:

A

Increased vascular permeability and cell necrosis

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19
Q

Function of Edema Factor?

A
  • Inhibit neutrophil function

- calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase

20
Q

Function of Lethal Factor?

A

Cell death, hypoxia-induced tissue injury/shock

-zinc mealloprotease

21
Q

Protective antigen function?

A

Prevent entry of toxin into the cell - cell binding factor

-translocation into cell

22
Q

To produce a vaccine you must have______

A

Toxin Plasmid (don’t need the capsule)

23
Q

Strains of anthracis that are encapsulated and toxigenic are considered?

A

Virulent

24
Q

Increase expose assoc. with 5 factors:

A
  • history of previous anthrax deaths
  • flooding: spores to surface
  • soil conditions: alkaline, rich in Calcium and nitrogen favor endospore survival
  • warm temps
  • drought brings closer to ground to increasing changes of soil ingestion and mechanical injury to GI mucosa
25
Q

The most common way to develop disease assoc. with Bacillus is?

A

Exposure to endospores

26
Q

Endospores germinate within the _____________ of macrophages

A

Phagolysosomes

27
Q

Complete anthrax toxin causes ___________ and affects _______________

A

Cell death and vascular permeability

28
Q

What is the most susceptible species?

A

CATTLE

29
Q

“Anthrax” is associated with what condition?

A

Septicemia

30
Q

Pulmonary Anthrax - species and disease?

A

Human - Wool Sorters Disease

31
Q

Acute Septicemia

A

Horse - colic and diarrhea

32
Q

Per acute septicemia

A

Ruminants (Cattle*, sheep):

  • AM - bleeding from orifices
  • PM - Hemorrhagic Exudate
  • PM - Splenomegaly
33
Q

Pharyngeal

A

Pigs / Dogs - Asphyxia

34
Q

Intestinal

A

Human / Pig / Horse

35
Q

Cutaneous

A

Human - Malignant Carbuncle

36
Q

How long can B. anthracis spores persist in the ground?

A

DECADES - Thus is REPORTABLE

37
Q

Will you conduct a field necropsy for B. anthracis?

A

NO! Call the state/federal officials

38
Q

Staining using McFadyean’s methylene blue will stain B. anthracis ___________

A

With a pink capsule

39
Q

In order to diagnose B. anthracis, you use what kind of culture and diagnostic method?

A

Aerobic culture of blood and PCR

40
Q

What level BSL is B. anthracis?

A

BSL-3

41
Q

T/F: B.anthracis is zoonotic and reportable

A

TRUE: it is reportable within 9 days

42
Q

What are the zoonotic diseases associated with B. anthracis?

A

Cutaneous = Malignant Carbuncle
Pulmonary = Wool Sorter’s Disease (aerogenous)
Intestinal and Oropharyngeal

43
Q

Anthrax is typically ___________ and lethal

A

airborne

44
Q

Treatment of B. anthracis (4)

A

Penicillin
Tetracycline
Doxycycline
Ciprofloxacin

45
Q

What is the optimal means of disposal of animals infected with B. anthracis?

A

Incineration

46
Q

Differential Diagnosis:

A

Blackleg - Clostridium chavuoei

Botulism - Clostridium botulinum