Exam 5 - Intracellular Microorganisms Flashcards
What are the 3 species considered to be clinically significant intracellular microorganisms?
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Rickettsia rickettsii
- Coxiella burnetii
Microorganisms that are incapable of replication outside of a living cell
Obligate intracellular organisms
How do obligate intracellular organisms move around?
FALSE. They have no form of independent locomotion or transport.
How are obligate intracellular organisms cultured and isolated?
- They cannot be cultured on artificial media.
- This is because they cannot survive outside of a living cell.
- Isolation techniques utilize animal inoculation or cell cultures.
Describe the size of obligate intracellular organisms.
- Often so small that they cannot be seen microscopically
- INCLUSION BODIES may be seen inside the nucleus
Chlamydia trachomatis are unable to make their own ___.
ATP
What do cells infected with Chlamydia trachomatis contain?
Infected cells contain intracytoplasmic inclusions around the nucleus of the patient’s cell
How is Chlamydia trachomatis transferred?
Person-to-person transmission
What diseases does Chlamydia trachomatis cause?
- Inclusion conjunctivitis
- Scarring, ulceration of the cornea, eventually leading to blindness
- Cervical infection (STD)
- Lymphogranuloma venereum (STD)
How is inclusion conjunctivitis acquired?
A newborn acquires the bacteria as he/she passes through the birth canal
Rickettsia rickettsii is the causative agent of what disease?
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
Explain Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF).
- Causative agent is Rickettsia rickettsii
- History of tick bite
- Presents with characteristic rash
How is Rickettsia rickettsii diagnosed?
- Cell culture techniques
- Weil-Felix agglutination testing
Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of what disease?
Q fever
Explain Q fever.
- Causative agent is Coxiella burnetii
- Zoonotic disease
- Usually found in cattle, sheep, goats
