Corynebacterium Diptheriae Flashcards
1
Q
Microbiology of CD
A
Gram Positive Bacillus
2
Q
Corynebacterium is avirulent unless
A
Unless it contains the Diptheriae toxin, which it gains by Lysogenic Conversion, It is coded by the Tox gene
3
Q
A+B toxin model
A
B binds to heparin Binging EGF (hbEGF)
A= ADP Ribosylates EF2 and halts protein synthesis
4
Q
Where does Diptheriae colonize
A
Oropharynx
5
Q
What does CD form in the oropharynx>
A
Pseudomembrane
6
Q
Why don’t you want to puncture this pseudomembrane
A
If toxin A gets in the blood, it can cause organ damage (heart and cranial nerves)
7
Q
What is required for diagnosis
A
a culture of Diptheriae toxin
8
Q
Treatment
A
antitoxin which neutralizes circulating Diptheriae toxin
9
Q
When is anti-toxin not helpful
A
when the Dt is bound
10
Q
Antibiotics
A
Erythromycin/penicillin
