Bacterial zoonoses I Flashcards
What is the gram stain for bacillus anthracis?
Gram positive
What is the shape of bacillus anthracis?
Rod
Is bacillus anthracis aerobic or anaerobic?
Aerobic
Does bacillus anthracis form spore?
Yes
What is the appearance of bacillus anthracis in culture?
Long chains / pairs / single cells with “boxcar” ends
If you collect a sample from a patient with bacillus anthracis, will you see spores?
Probably not
What is the main virulence factor for bacillus anthracis?
Protein capsule made of poly-D-glutamate
What are the two toxins produced by bacillus anthracis?
Lethal toxin and edema toxin
What is the role of lethal toxin?
Disrupts normal cellular signaling events leading to cell death, inflammation, and tissue damage
What is the role of edema toxin?
Activates adenylate cyclase, leading to increased cAMP levels, ion/water efflux, and edema
What is the role of protective antigen in bacillus anthracis infection?
- Acts like the B subunit of an A-B toxin; binds lethal and edema factors to form toxins then facilitates internalization of toxins 2. Binds to each factor to form the toxins
What is the pathogenesis of bacillus anthracis?
- Spores are inoculated, ingested, or inhaled 2. Spores germinate into vegetative cells that produce toxin
What are the features of a lesion caused by cutaneous anthrax?
Small red painless papule that evolves into an vesicle then a necrotic ulcer with black center (eschar)
What are the symptoms of (second stage) inhalation anthrax?
Fever, drenching sweats, extreme dyspnea, cyanosis, lymphadenopathy, shock, death
What is the treatment for cutaneous anthrax?
Amoxicillin
What is the treatment for inhalation anthrax?
Doxycycline, ciprofloxacin + 2 other Abx
What is the gram stain for brucella?
Gram negative
What is the shape of brucella?
Coccobacillus
What is the pathogenesis of brucella?
Intracellular pathogens - survive within phagosomes of macrophages and monocytes