Clostridia

Question 1

What type of bacteria is clostridium?

Answer 1

Gram positive
Anaerobic - aerotolerant due to spores
Found anywhere in anaerobic conditions
Saprophytic
Neurotrophic

Question 2

What shape is clostridium tetani?

Answer 2

Tennis racket shaped

Question 3

What diseases are caused by clostridium?

Answer 3

Tetanus
Botulism
Gas gangrene
Enterotoxaemia 
Necrotic enteritis

Question 4

Describe tetanus

Answer 4

Caused by clostridium tetani
Muscle spasms, jaw lock
Through puncture wounds
Fatal if untreated (respiratory distress)

Question 5

Describe botulism

Answer 5

From clostridium botulinum
Types A/B people, C/D animals (rarely cats)
From holes in canned food - humans
Causes paralysis

Question 6

What is enterotoxaemia? Simple

Answer 6

Infection in the gut caused by clostridia

Question 7

What is gas gangrene? Simple

Answer 7

Production of gas in tissues

Question 8

Describe necrotic enteritis?

Answer 8

Poultry
Caused by clostridia perfringens
Affects duodenum/ileum

Question 9

How do clostridia cause disease?

Answer 9

Toxin production

Question 10

What are the main toxins clostridia produce and what do they do

Answer 10

A - damages membranes
B - increases capillary permeabiltity
E - pore forming, needs activating by trypsin