Clostridium Flashcards 1

Question 1

What is clostridiums oxygen requirement?

Answer 1

Strictly aerobic

Question 2

Is clostridium gram +/-?

Answer 2

Gram positive

Question 3

Does clostridium produce endospores?

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

What is clostridiums method for producing disease symptoms?

Answer 4

Production of endotoxins. SOME also have tissue invasiveness

Question 5

What disease is related to Clostridium difficile?

Answer 5

Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) - Yellow plaques containing fibrin and cellular debris in ulcers of colonic mucosa.

Question 6

What is the leading cause of nosocomial (hospital aquired) diarrhea?

Answer 6

Pseudomembranous colitis

Question 7

What causes Clostridium difficile spores to become active?

Answer 7

Use of braod spectrum antibiotics which removes competing bacteria for GI tract.

Question 8

What is Toxin A in Clostridium difficile?

Answer 8

Enterotoxin - fluid production and damage to the mucosa

Question 9

What is Toxin B in Clostridium difficile?

Answer 9

Cytotoxin - Rounding of tissue culture cells (leads to death)

Question 10

What is the major pathogen of wound infection?

Answer 10

Clostridium perfringens

Question 11

Does Clostridium perfingens have invasive properties?

Answer 11

Absolutely

Question 12

What conditions are necessary for Clostridium perfringens spores to germinate?

Answer 12

Anaerobic, compromised blood supply, calcium ions, availability of peptides and amino acids

Question 13

What is the major toxin associated with Clostridium perfringens? What does it cause?

Answer 13

Alpha-toxin (lecithinase) - causes gas gangrene

Question 14

Will antibiotics cure a Clostridium perfingens infection?

Answer 14

It can get rid of the bacteria BUT THE TOXIN REMAINS!!!

Question 15

What toxin does Clostridium perfiringens produce that causes food poisoning?

Answer 15

Enterotoxin

Question 16

Why is Clostridium botulinum so hard to prevent?

Answer 16

Heat-resistant spores which can survive food processing

Question 17

Why is Clostridium botlinum such a serious infection?

Answer 17

Produce nine neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes A-G. A, B, E (fish) are most common that are among the most poisonous substance known to humans.

Question 18

What does BoNT do?

Answer 18

Prevents release of acetylcholine neurotransmitter (by cleaving proteins involved in docking of neurotransmitter vesicles) resulting in FLACCID PARALYSIS

Question 19

What treatment is available for Clostridium botulinum infection?

Answer 19

Trivalent antitoxin isolated from horses does exist but can result in hypersensitivity problems

Question 20

What is the most common mode of Clostridium tetani infection?

Answer 20

Traumatic wounds (Neonatal contamination of umbilical cord)

Question 21

What is the major toxin of Clostridium tetani?

Answer 21

Tetanospasmin - only toxin. responsible for all symptoms.

Question 22

What does tetanospasmin do?

Answer 22

1. Inhibits neurotransmitter release acid and normal inhibitory input resulting in REFLEX SPASMS / SPASTIC PARALYSIS.
2. Eventually leads to lockjaw and eventually to respiratory failure.

Question 23

What treatment is available for Clostridium tetani?

Answer 23

1. Completely preventable with DPT vaccine.
2. Antitoxin and penicillin G should be administered - can prevent further paralysis.
3. Surgical debridement of the wound - prevents further bacterial growth