Clostridium, Actinomyces, Nocardia, Aeromonas/Plesiomonas Flashcards
Clostridium organism and appearance
Gram positive rods
rounded ends, in pairs or short chains
*spores often wider than the cell
Clostridium metabolism
Can be found in ____
Strict anaerobe
Found in soil
C. botulinum clinical presentation
bilateral cranial nerve palsies
descending flaccid paralysis
dysphagia/diplopia/ptosis
Sources of C. botulinum
Home canned foods
Alaskan native food
Entry via wounds, needles (IV drugs)
Major source of “floppy baby syndrome” (C. botulinum)
Ray honey - up to 70% of cases
Serotypes of C. botulinum
7 serotypes, A through G
A, B, E in humans
C. botulinum pathogenic factor
AB neurotoxin
B binds to NMJ
A cleaves synaptobrevin –> blocks fusion –> blocks Ach release
Control/Tx of C. botulinum
Antitoxin injection (A-G) as soon as you suspect botulism in the differential
*No ABX!
C. tetani clinical presentation
Spasms (Jaw then back)
Death occurs when spasms interfere with breathing
C. tetani sources
- soil + **animal feces **(introduced by fomites penetrating the skin)
- Neonatal = from umbilical infections
- IV drug use
C. tetani pathogenic factor
AB neurotoxin = Tetanospasmin (plasma encoded)
- asorbed at NMJ, retrograde transport to cell body of motor neuron
- binds irreversibly
- reuptaken by presynaptic membrane of inhibitory neurons
- cleaves synaptobrevin –> prevents GABA release
C. tetani control (vaccine, treatments, antibiotics)
- VAX with tetanus toxoid – boosters every 10 years
- Antitoxin (Tetanus Immune Globulin) = only works if given early
- Early tracheostomy, avoid stimulation
- Muscle relaxants
- ABX = Mzole (preferred over Penicillin)
C. perfringens strains
5 strains based on toxin profile
C. perfringens clinical presentation
1-3 days until it starts from a wound
–> Tissue necrosis, toxemia, shock, death
*Can also present as food poisoning (1-2 days) if ingested (“enteritis necroticans”)
How is C. perfringens acquired
Tramautic injury coupled with anaerobic conditions (i.e. ischemia)
**other organisms that are present will help facilitate anaerobic environment
C. perfringens pathogenic factors (5)
- Alpha-toxin (lecithinase = phospholipase)
- Hyaluronidase + Collagenase
- Beta-toxin (food poisoning = e. necroticans)
- Enterotoxin (in some strains)