CHAPTER 17: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis

Question 1

__________ is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae that contain a bacteriophage encoding diphtheria toxin

Answer 1

Diphtheria

Question 2

Diphtheria causes inflammation and necrosis giving a _________ on the posterior wall of the pharynx

Answer 2

Green–black ‘pseudomembrane’

Question 3

_________ is a selective medium that uses tellurite to differentially select Corynebacterium diphtheriae from other upper respiratory tract flora

Answer 3

Hoyle’s agar

Question 4

Tetanus infection occurs in wounds that are deep enough to produce ________ conditions

Answer 4

Anaerobic

Question 5

Clostridium tetani produces _________, which prevents release of the inhibitory transmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), thereby resulting in muscle spasms

Answer 5

Tetanospasmin

Question 6

Perioral muscle spasm in tetanus infection

Answer 6

Risus sardonicus

Question 7

Spinal spasm in tetanus infection

Answer 7

Opisthotonus

Question 8

Tetanus is prevented by childhood immunization and boosters are given at school entry and every ____

Answer 8

10–15 years

Question 9

______ and ______ are organisms that can cause whooping cough

Answer 9

Bordetella pertussis

Bordetella parapertussis

Question 10

_______ is thought to decrease infectivity and shorten symptoms if given early during the catarrhal phase of pertussis

Answer 10

Erythromycin

Question 11

An _______ vaccine is given as part of childhood vaccination scheme for pertussis

Answer 11

Acellular

Question 12

Other name of Corynebacterium diphtheria

Answer 12

Klebs-Loffler bacillus

Question 13

Effect of Diphteria toxin in myocardium and peripheral nervous system

Answer 13

Myocarditis

Neuropathy and paralysis

Question 14

Route of transmission of diphtheria

Answer 14

Respiratory

Direct contact with cutaneous lesions

Question 15

Medical management for diphteria

Answer 15

Antitoxin

Erythromycin

Question 16

Type of vaccine for Diphtheria

Answer 16

Toxoid

Question 17

Neurotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani

Answer 17

Tetanospasmin

Question 18

What neurotransmitter is inhibited by tetanospasmin thus resulting to muscle spasms?

Answer 18

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

Question 19

Treatment for tetanus infection

Answer 19

Muscle relaxants
Human tetanus hyperimmune immunoglobulin
Antibiotics

Question 20

TRUE or FALSE:

Infants are protected by passive immunity if their mothers are vaccinated for Clostridium tetani

Answer 20

TRUE

Question 21

Which whooping cough pathogen does not produce pertussis toxin?

Answer 21

Bordetella parapertussis

Question 22

Toxins produced by Bordetella perstussis

Answer 22

Pertussis toxin
Adenyl [adenylate] cyclase
Tracheal cytotoxin

Question 23

Complications of B. pertussis toxins

Answer 23

Secondary respiratory tract infections
Apnea following coughing spasms
Raised Intracranial pressure

Question 24

3 Phases/stages of whooping cough

Answer 24

Catarrhal
Paroxysmal
Convalescent

Question 25

Duration of Catarrhal stage of pertussis

Answer 25

1-2 weeks

Question 26

Duration of Paroxysmal stage of pertussis

Answer 26

1-6 weeks

Question 27

Duration of Convalescent stage of pertussis

Answer 27

Weeks to months