Campylobacter and Arcobacter Flashcards
What are some characteristics of Family Campylobateriaceae?
Small, gram negative, curved rods (S-shaped or GULL WINGS in pairs; Spirals when in chains), no spores, polar flagellum at one or both ends.
Which organs are affected by Campylobacteriaceae?
Reproductive and Intestinal tract
T/F. Campylobacter: There are 25 recognized species and all of them are pathogenic to animals and humans.
False.
There are 23 recognized species and several are significant pathogens of animals and humans.
Which species of Campylobacter are the leading causes of food-borne bacterial gastroenteritis in humans?
C. jejuni and C. coli
What are the sources of C. jejuni and C. coli?
Uncooked/undercooked contaminated food (meat/POULTRY).
Unpasteurized milk.
Contaminated water (These species can survive in water for a long time)
T/F. C. fetus and its subspecies were originally classified as mycoplasma.
False. Vibrio! (infections are called Vibriosis)
What are cellular products of Campylobacteriaeceae?
Cell wall (LPS), Capsule (highly variable, useful for serotyping, shields LOS of C. jejuni), Adhesins (CadF in C. jejuni and C. coli), Flagella, Cytolethal Distending Toxin (CDT), T2SS, T4SS
T/F. C. jejuni has a long O-antigen chains for serum resistance. C. fetus does not > shorter (LOS: lipo-oligosaccharide). LOS is variable depending on location (intestine vs. blood, mammal vs. avian).
False.
C. jejuni does not > shorter
C. fetus has a long O-antigen chains
Everything else is true.
T/F. LPS of Campylobacter is not as immunoreactive as the Enterobacteriaceae LPS.
True.
What are four growth characteristics of Campylobacter?
Microaerobic (3-10% O2, 3-15% CO2), Temperature, Oxidase-positive (do not oxidize or ferment sugars), Serotyping (molecular methods, LPS antigens have been used).
What happens if there are mutations in the flagellin genes of Campylobacter?
Abolish motility, prevent secretion of Cia (Campylobacter invasion antigen) > impeding cell invasion.
What does Cytolethal Distending Toxin (CDT) do?
Causes apoptosis of host cells.
Produced by most Campylobacter species and ONLY toxin produced in the genus.
What is the difference between T2SS and T4SS?
T2SS: binds free DNA for genomic or plasmid incorporation and replication; “natural competence”.
T4SS: A genetic transfer role particular for virulence of C. fetus ssp. venerealis in the bovine reproductive tract.
What are some factors that are related to temperature (growth characteristic) of Campylobacter?
All species grow at 37C (C. jejni, C. coli can grow at 42C).
No growth below 30C.
Killed by freeze/thaw cycles (may remain viable if chilled in organic material: feces, meat, milk).
Who are the reservoirs of C. fetus ssp. venerealis?
Preputial crypts of carrier bulls (beef cattle: asymptomatic), few cows (persistent vaginal carriers).
Who is the reservoir of C. fetus ssp. fetus?
Ruminants (intestinal tract and gall bladder)
Who are the reservoirs of C. jejuni and other enteric species?
Sheep, poultry, cattle, birds, dogs, cats, swine (intestinal tract and gall bladder).
PIGS AND POULTRY are primary for C. coli!!
How is C. fetus ssp. venerealis and C. fetus ssp. fetus and C. jejuni transmitted (reproductive disease)?
C. fetus ssp. venerealis - Venerally: coitus, AI (esp. Cattle).
C. fetus ssp. fetus and C. jejuni - ingestion of fecal or aborted fetus (contaminted food/water).
How is enteric disease that is caused by Campylobacter transmitted?
Ingestion of contaminated food/water (FECAL ORAL).
POULTRY > Humans (human-to-humans transmission is rare):
What is the pathogenesis of Campylobacter that causes reproductive disease in cattle?
Coitus and transmission of C. fetus subsp. venerealis > multiply and remain in cervico-vaginal junction until end of estrous > infests the uterus during progestational phase > causing inflammation (endometitris and abortions)
T/F. Both Campylobacter and Arcobacter were Campylobacter before.
True.
T/F. Economic consequences caused by Campylobacter species that cause reproductive diseases in cattle are disatrous
TRUE!!
Which of the following is INCORRECT about pathogenesis of Reproductive disease in cattle caused by Campylobacter?
A. There are repeat breeding and extended cycles clinically.
B. Herd bull will show loss of condition.
C. Immunity does not develop so calves need to be separated from their mothers.
D. Process takes years.
C. Immunity does not develop so calves need to be separated from their mothers.
Eventually immunity develops and calving periods returns to normal.
What is a specific REPORTABLE disease in cattle caused by Campylobacter?
Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis (bovine fetal anasarca, metritis > necrotizing inflammation of the uterus with grayish-brown foul smelling uterine exudate).
