clostridial disease

Question 0

clostridial perfringens

Answer 0

entertoxins of C. perfringens causes:
1. clostridial food poisoning: tender/edematous–>skin darkens b/c hemorrhage and cutaneous necrosis –> thick, serosanguineous discharge (odor, gas bubbles) –> HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA, HYPOTN, RENAL FAILURE, COMA, JAUNDICE, SHOCK

Question 1

what are the 6 clostridial dz

Answer 1

1. clostridial food poisoning
2. necrotizing enteritis
3. gas gangrene
4. tetanus
5. botulism
6. clostridium difficile

Question 2

tetanus

Answer 2

• caused by neurotoxin (tetanospasmin) of C.tetani
• step on nail (incub 1-3wks) –> inhib synaptic inhibition (by blocking release of inhibitory NT from presyn neuron)
• spastic mm contractions, LOCKED JAW, FIXED GRIN (risus sardonicus), opistholonos (back arching)
• high mortality in infants and elderly

Question 3

botulism

Answer 3

-caused by neurotoxin of C. botulinum (canned foods), which inhibits Ach release at myoneural jnc –> paralysis, resp failure

SX: DESC PARALYSIS (cr nerves 1st–> resp arrest)
TX: antitoxin tx dec mortality to 25%

Question 4

clostridum difficile

Answer 4

-normal flora of colon (inf bc alt to normal flora)
-exotoxins causes pseudomembraneous enterocolitis (inflm exudate = PMNs, fibrin, debris)
-follows ab tx, ab-assoc diarrheas, potentially lethal
SX: diarrhea, fever, abd pain, PMNs in stools. if mild - w/d ab, if severe - ab against C.diff