Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Microbiology > Clostridium > Flashcards

Clostridium Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Biology 101 flashcards
0
Q

Laboratory characteristics of Clostridium?

A

Gram positive
Spore-forming
Anaerobic
Grow on blood agar

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
1
Q

Where are clostridial species normally found?

A

Soil
GIT
female genital tract

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Name four Clostridium species and what they cause.

A

C.difficile - pseudomembranous colitis
C. botulinum - botulism
C. tetani - tetanus
C. perfringens - gas gangrene + food poisoning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How does one normally acquire C.botulinum?

A

Breakdown in sterility during canning or bottling.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How does C.botulinum cause disease?

A

Produces botulinum toxin.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does botulism toxin do to the body? Comment on its passage through the stomach.

A

Is the most potent neurotoxin.
Prevents release of acetylcholine at peripheral cholinergic synapses > muscle paralysis
*is not destroyed by digestive enzymes, destroyed by heat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are signs of cholinergic blockade?

A

Dry mouth
Ileus (type of non-mechanical bowel obstruction)
Urinary retention

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How much time elapses before symptoms become apparent with regards to C.botulinum?

A

12-36 hours (sometimes days)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Clinical manifestations of C.botulinum?

A

Weakness
dizziness
Diplopia (double vision) or blurred vision
Peripheral muscle weakness + respiratory paralysis
Fixed dilated pupils
Lassitude
Bulbar involvement - dysphagia, difficulty with speech

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is lassitude?

A

State of mental/physical weakness

*lack of energy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Does infection with C.botulinum result in fever?

A

No.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How can one diagnose C.botulinum infection?

A

Via clinical grounds
Demonstrate organism in blood
Isolate organism from gut

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How to treat C.botulinum infection?

A

Mainly supportive.
Polyvalent antitoxin available (efficacy variable)
Penicillin (value uncertain)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does C.perfringens produce and what does it do?

A

Lecithinase > causes gas gangrene

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How can C.perfringens cause food poisoning?

A

Can produce an enterotoxin.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What clinical manifestations of C.perfringens are there?

A 
Simple contamination
Soft tissue infections
Anaerobic cellulitis
Gas gangrene
Uterine gas gangrene
Bacteriaemia
16
Q

What does one mean by simple contamination with regards to C.perfringens?

A

That it’s isolation from a would does no necessarily mean infection as this bacterium is often found on the skin.

17
Q

What is an example of a soft tissue infection involving C.perfringens?

A

Intra-abdominal infections < perforation

18
Q

What is anaerobic cellulitis?

A

Diffuse spreading of cellulitis and fasciitis.

19
Q

Signs of anaerobic fasciitis?

A

Toxaemia
Diffuse subcutaneous crepitus
Death > shock! renal failure, intravascular haemolysis

20
Q

What tissue is involved in gas gangrene?

A

Muscle tissue.

21
Q

What are bullae?

A

Fluid filled sacs/lesions that appear when fluid is trapped underneath a thin layer of skin

22
Q

Signs of gas gangrene?

A 
Bullae
Pain
Crepitus
Renal failure 
Tachycardia 
Fever
23
Q

How can someone develop uterine has gangrene?

A

Septic abortion

Even normal delivery

24
Q

What tissue are involved in uterine gas gangrene?

A

Decidual (endometrium during pregnancy)

May involve uterus itself > mayo necrosis

25
Q

How does one diagnose a C.perfringens infection?

A

Biopsy > bullae fluid or necrotic tissue

Culture > Lecithinase production + grow in anaerobic conditions

26
Q

Treatment of C.perfringens infection?

A

Remove necrotic tissue
Antibiotics
Antitoxin?
Hyperbolic oxygen?

27
Q

Which antibiotics are used to treat C.perfringens?

A

Metronidazole

Penicillin

28
Q

Where is C.difficile normally found?

A

GIT

29
Q

How is C.diffcile spread?

A

Via hands therefore infection control in hospital very important.

30
Q

When should one suspect C.difficile infection?

A

If someone develops Diarrhea within 48-72 hours of being admitted to hospital.

31
Q

What does C.difficile cause? How?

A

Colitis.

Produces a toxin.

32
Q

Clinical signs of C.difficile infection?

A

High fever
Abdominal cramps
Diarrhoea (normally watery, sometimes bloody)
Pseudomembranous colitis

33
Q

What is pseudomembranous colitis?

A

Inflammation of the colon involving the development of a viscous collection of inflammatory cells, fibrin and necrotic cells

34
Q

How to diagnose C.difficle?

A

Toxin in stool.

Sigmoidoscopy - look for pseudomembrane

35
Q

How to treat C.difficile infection?

A

Rehydration therapy.

Antibiotics.

36
Q

Which antibiotics are used to treat C.difficile?

A

Oral metronidazole.

Vancomycin (severe disease).

37
Q

What is Bacillus cereus a known cause of?

A

Food poisoning.

Microbiology (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions