Clostridium

Question 1

Botulism

Answer 1

• Caused by clostridium botulinum. A gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming, bacillus bacteria that is often found in water/soil.
• When C. Botulinum is exposed to anerobic conditions, it releases a paralytic toxin that affects motor neurons.

Question 2

Tetanus

Answer 2

• Caused by Clostridum Tetani, a gram-positive, anerobic, spore-forming bacillus bacterium that is often found in soil/water/feces.
• Like C. Botulinum, its is the toxin tetanospasmin that causes illness, not the bacteria itself.
• Tetanospasmin acts on inhibitory neurons causing systemic muscles stiffness and spasms - most often seen in the masseter jaw (aka lock-jaw).
• Untreated, the toxin-induced muscle tightening can lead to respiratory failure as the muscles associated with breathing fail.
• There is no cure but it is entirely preventable through vaccination. According to WHO, all cases are reported from those who are not vaccinated/have not received a booster shot every ten years.

Question 3

Gas Gangrene

Answer 3

• Caused by Clostridium Perfringens, a gram-postivie, anaerobic, spore-forming bacillus bacterium that can be found anywhere in nature.
• C. Perfringens, like tetanus and botulism, produces a toxin, alpha perfringolysin. Mainly establish from a deep puncture wound.
• Perfringolysin forms pores in the plasma membrane of host cells that results in uncontrolled ion fluxes and eventually cell death.
• Perfingolysin induced toxicity is characterised by muscle necrosis, swelling of infected areas, fever and intense gas production.
• Gas production through fermentation leads to further cell damage and further invasion of the bacteria.
• Treatment includes removing the infected areas and using heavy antibiotics.

C. Perfringens toxin is the 3rd leading cause of food bourne illnesses in the U.S.