Bacterial Dysentery (Gram Positive) Flashcards
Important properties of Bacillus cereus
- Gram-positive
- facultative anaerobic
- sporeforming, large rod
- Motile & beta hemolytic
Mode of transmission in Bacillus cereus
- Spores on grains such as rice survive steaming & rapid frying
• Spores germinate when rice is kept warm for many hours (e.g. reheated fried rice), then bacteria produce exotoxin, which are ingested steaming
Pathogenesis of B.cereus
- Produces 2 enterotoxins :
1. Similar to cholera toxin ——> increased cyclic AMP
2. Similar to staphylococcal enterotoxin —-> superantigen
Clinical findings in B.cereus
- Vomiting (emetic): short incubation period —-> 4 hours
* nausea
* vomiting - Diarrheal: long incubation period ——> 18 hours
* watery
* nonbloody diarrhea
Important properties of Clostridium botulinum
- Anaerobic
- gram positive
- Spore forming rods
Transmission of C.botulinum
- Spores in soil, contaminate vegetables & meats
- Canned foods or vacuum-packed without adequate sterilization ———-> spores survive & germinate in anaerobic environment.
- Toxin is produced within canned food & ingested preformed
Which food/s are the highest risk of C.botulinum infection?
(1) Alkaline vegetables (green beans, peppers & mushrooms)
(2) Smoked fish
• Toxin is heat-labile (inactivated by boiling for several minutes)
Pathogenesis of C.botulinum
Botulinum toxin is absorbed from gut & carried via blood to
peripheral nerve synapses ——> blocks release of acetylcholine
What is the botulinum toxin ?
- A protease that cleaves proteins involved in Ach release
- Among the most toxic substances
- 8 types : type A , B & E are most common
Clinical findings of C.botulinum
- Descending weakness & paralysis
- Diplopia (double vision), blurred vision, slurred speech (difficulty talking), dysphagia & respiratory muscle failure
- No fever
What are the 2 special forms that are clinically found in C.botulinum?
- Wound botulism: spores contaminate wound, germinate & produce toxin at site (drug abuse)
- Infant botulism: organisms grow in gut & produce toxin
* Ingestion of honey containing organism
- Infants (between 6 weeks & 6 months of age) develop muscular weakness or paralysis, loss of head control & need respiratory
support (usually recover spontaneously)
Important properties of Clostridium perfringens
- Large Gram postitive rods
- Anaerobic
- Spore forming
Laboratory diagnosis of C.botulinum
- Not cultured
1. Mouse protection tests: - Botulinum toxin is found in uneaten food & patient’s serum
- Mice are inoculated with clinical specimen & will die unless protected by antitoxin
State the diseases that occur from C.perfringens
- Gas gangrene
2. Food poisoning
Which type of tissue does the C.perfringens grow in ?
traumatized tissue (especially muscle)
Which toxin is produced in gas gangrene by c.perfringens ?
Alpha toxin (lecithinase)
What does the alpha toxin do ?
Alpha toxin (lecithinase) ——> damages cell membranes , including those of erythrocytes ——-> hemolysis
How production of gas happen in gas gangrene ?
Degradative enzymes produce gas in tissues
Clinical findings of C.perfringenes
- Pain,edema, cellulitis & gangrene (necrosis) in wound area
- Crepitation indicates presence of gas in tissues
- Hemolysis amd jaundice
- Shock & death can ensue
Laboratory diagnosis of gas gangere due to c.perfringens
- Smears of tissue & exudate show large gram-positive rods
- Cultured anaerobically & colonies exhibit double zone of hemolysis on blood agar
- Organisms identified by sugar fermentation reactions &
organic acid production - Egg yolk agar :
* demonstrate presence of lecithinase
How food poisoning occur by c.perfringens ?
- Spores are located in soil & contaminate food
- Heat-resistant spores survive cooking & germinate
- Organisms grow in reheated foods, especially meat dishes
Pathogenesis of c.perfringens
- Member of normal flora in colon
- Enterotoxin acts in small bowel diarrhea
- Enterotoxin: similar to staphylococcal enterotoxin —-> superantigen
Clinical findings of c.perfringens
Watery diarrhea with cramps & little vomiting (resolves in 24 hours)
What is the incubation period in food poisoning?
8-16 hour