Chapter 1.7 Corynebacterium And Listeria Flashcards
What are the 2 non-spore forming gram-positive rods?
Corynebacterium diptheriae and Listeria
What age group is most affected by corynebacterium and listeria?
Infant patients in pediatric age group
What is the disease associated with corynebacterium diphtheriae?
Diphtheria
What is the morphology of corynebacterium diphtheriae?
Colonization in the pharynx forming grayish pseudomembrane composed of fibrin, leukocytes, necrotic epithelial cells, and coryn. diph. cells
What is released from corynebacterium diphtheriae?
Exotoxin into the bloodstream
What is damaged from the exotoxin from corynebacterium diphtheriae?
Heart and neural cells
What is the clinical presentation of someone with diphtheria?
Child with sore throat and fever with dark inflammatory exudate on the child’s pharynx
What vaccine is used to combat diphtheria?
DPT vaccine (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus)
What is the unique feature of Listeria monocytogenes?
Gram-positive motile rod, that has ENDOtoxin
What disease is associated with the neonate group of Listeria monocytogenes?
Meningitis that is contracted through delivery from asymptomatic mother
What disease is caused in the immunosuppressed patient group that have Listeria monocytogenes?
Listeria meningitis
Ex. Patients with cancer, renal transplants, or AIDS
Why is Listeria monocytogenes a facultative trace lobular organism?
Because listeria can survive either outside or within cells
How does the immune system destroy Listeria monocytogenes?
Cell-mediated immunity is used to destroy listeria
Why can’t cell-mediated immunity be used to kill Listeria in the neonate and immunosuppressed populations?
Neonates (up to 3 months) and immunosuppressed patients can’t activate their phagocytic cells
Allow Listeria to infect meninges
How to confirm bacterial meningitis diagnosis?
Lumbar puncture of CSF shows high number of neutrophils, high protein levels, and low glucose
