Clostridium (Anaerobic, G(+), spore forming, bacilli)

Question 1

C. tetani

Answer 1

“(looks like) Drumsticks – terminal spores. Blocks the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters
Exotoxin: tetanoplasmin
Tetanis toxin: protease, cleaves releasing (teathering) proteins from neurotransmitters. Blocks glycine and GABA release”

Spastic paralysis. Trismus (lock-jaw). Risus sardonicus (forced grin).Toxoid vaccine.

Question 2

C. perfringens

Answer 2

Anaerobe. Hemolytic. Boxcars. Alpha toxin- Lecithinase (phospholipase) leads to myonecrosis (gas gangrene, hemolysis)

Gas, necrotic tissue. Food poisoning.

Question 3

C. difficile

Answer 3

“Toxin A: enterotoxin binds to brush boarder of gut
Toxin B: cytotoxin destroys cytoskeleton of enterocytes causing pseudomembranous colitis.”

Pseudomembranous colitis = antibiotic associated colitis (Clindamycin & Ampicillin). Diarrhea.

Question 4

C. botulinum

Answer 4

Anaerobic. Spores. Pre-formed heat labile toxin, inhibits ACh release at NMJ causing botulism.

“Adults: ingestion of pre-formed toxin
Babies: ingestion of spores in honey. ““floppy baby syndrome””
Food poisoning, wound infections, Flacid parylisis. Vision problems.”