Clostridia

Question 1

Gram staining? Shape? Spores? Oxygen?

Answer 1

Gram Positive Rods, Spore Forming, Obligate Anaerobes

Question 2

C. tetani exotoxin

Answer 2

TetanoSPASmin

Cleaves SNARE proteins, blocks release of inhibitory NTs like GABA and Glycine

Question 3

C. tetani symptoms

Answer 3

SPAStic paralysis, trismus (lockjaw)

Question 4

C. tetani treatment

Answer 4

Prevent with tetanus vaccine

Treat w/ antitoxin, diazepam (for spasms), and wound debridement

Question 5

C. botulinum exotoxin

Answer 5

Heat-labile toxin

Inhibits ACh release at NMJ

Question 6

C. botulinum causes

Answer 6

Adults ingest preformed toxin

Babies ingest spores (honey)

Question 7

C. botulinum symptoms

Answer 7

4 D’s: Diplopia, Dysarthria, Dysphagia, Dyspnea

Flaccid paralysis

Question 8

C. botulinum toxin uses

Answer 8

Tx focal dystonia, achalasia, muscle spasm, wrinkles

Question 9

C. perfingens exotoxin

Answer 9

Alpha toxin - a PHOSPHOLIPASE that causes myonecrosis and hemolysis

Question 10

C. perfingens causes

Answer 10

Undercooked food

Question 11

C. perfingens symptoms

Answer 11

Gangrene

Question 12

C. difficile exotoxin

Answer 12

Toxin A: enterotoxin, binds gut brush border, alters fluid secretion
Toxin B: cytotoxin, disrupts cytoskeleton via actin depolymerization

Question 13

C. difficile symptoms

Answer 13

Diarrhea –> Pseudomembranous Colitis

Question 14

C. difficile causes

Answer 14

Secondary to Abx: Clindamycin, Ampicillin

Assoc. w/ PPI use

Question 15

C. difficile treatment

Answer 15

Metronidazole, Vancomycin