Clostridium Tetani & Botulinum Flashcards
1
Q
Clostridium
A
- e.g. Clostridium botulinum and tetani
- G+ve
- Sporeformers
- Anaerobic
2
Q
Botulism
A
- toxin produced in food or wound - often canned foods or foods with areas of anaerobosis
- flaccid paralysis, blurred vision, inability to swallow, speech difficulty respiratory paralysis
- neurotoxin - targets PNS
3
Q
tTetanus
A
- small puncture wounds or lacerations that become contaminated with c.tetani spores that germinate to form toxin
- spasmic contraction of muscles - lockjaw
- largely controlled in developing world due to vaccine
- neurotoxin - targets CNS
4
Q
C.botulinum
A
- simple A-B exotoxin
- produce a family of toxins - A,B,C,D,E,F,G (A+B most common in humans)
- distinguished by the synaptic protein target
5
Q
Zn metalloprotease
A
- both botulinum and tetani A subunit are Zn metalooproteases i.e. dependant on Zn ion for activity
- cleaves proteins involved in synaptic fusion
6
Q
pC.botulinum mechanism
A
- prevent fusion of synaptosome with membrane
7
Q
C.tetani mechanism
A
- blocks the release of inhibitory NT
8
Q
Treatment for c.botulism
A
- tri or hepta valent antitoxin
- BIG-IV
9
Q
Clinical application of c.botulism
A
- blepharospasm - uncontrolled blinking
- blocks release of Ach causing flaccid paralysis
10
Q
What are botulism and tetani specific to?
A
- C.tetani - presynaptic inhibitory motor nerve endings
- C.botulism - peripheral nerve endings
11
Q
Similarities & Differences of C.tetanus and C.botulism
A
Similarities
- both neurotoxins
- A-B simple exotoxins
- both Zn metalloproteases
Differences
12
Q
Gene that encodes tetanus toxin
A
TetX gene
13
Q
What mobile structures is the gene for tetanus toxin located?
A
large plasmids
14
Q
What mobile structures is the gene for botulinum toxin found?
A
Chromosome
Plasmid
Bacteriophage
