FINAL Micro Minimals Flashcards
Describe the colour (in a Gram stained smear) of Gram positive and Gram negative
bacteria, respectively!
Gram positives: dark blue (purple)
Gram negatives: red (pink)
Describe the 3 important parts of the bacterial lipopolysaccharide!
lipid A + core polysaccharide + O-specific (polysaccharide) side chain
Which 2 roles are attributed to bacterial pili (fimbriae)?
adhesion; conjugation (sex fimbriae)
Mention a bacterium and its virulence factor that is encoded by a lysogenic
bacteriophage!
Corynebacterium diphtheriae – diphtheria toxin
Streptococcus pyogenes – erythrogenic toxin
Escherichia coli – verotoxin
Clostridium botulinum- botulinus toxin
List the possible shapes of bacteria. Write one example for each category!
coccus (spherical): Staphylococcus, Streptococcus
rod: Clostridium, Corynebacterium, E. coli
curved rod: Vibrio
helical: Treponema, Borrelia, Leptospira
What are the essential components of bacterial cells? Specify at least 3!
cytoplasm, nucleoid (genome), cell membrane, (cell wall)
Which part of the bacterial cell carries the endotoxin?
Outer membrane of Gram negative bacteria
What roles are attributed to the bacterial capsule in the infectious process?
antiphagocytic effect, adhesion
Describe the definition for obligate anaerobic bacteria!
They are able to replicate only in the absence of oxygen (under anaerobic conditions).
Some of them are quickly killed by oxygen, some are able to survive but do not grow
while oxygen is present.
Describe the definition for facultative anaerobic bacteria!
They are able to replicate both in the presence and in the absence of oxygen. In aerobic
conditions, they perform respiration, in anaerobic condition, they perform fermentation.
What does sterilisation mean?
Sterilisation means the killing or removal of all microorganisms (including bacterial
spores).
Mention 3 reliable methods of sterilization!
autoclaving, hot air oven, gamma-radiation, filtration (fluids), gas sterilisation
(not acceptable: boiling, pasteurisation, UV!)
Specify an exact set of parameters (temperature and time) necessary for effective
sterilization by autoclaving!
121 °C for 20 - 30 min. (at 1 bar overpressure)
Specify an exact set of parameters (temperature and time) necessary for effective
sterilization using a hot air oven (with circulation)!
160 °C for 60 min.
What does disinfection mean?
The purpose of disinfection is the killing of pathogenic microbes and to decrease the
number of viable microbial cells. Resistant microbes and spores may survive, so
disinfection does not the kill all microbes.
Mention 5 groups of disinfectants!
alcohols, phenol derivatives, detergents,
chlorine, iodine, aldehydes
Mention 2 groups of disinfectants acting on the microbial membrane structures!
a., (cationic) detergents (quaternary ammonium compounds)
b., phenol compounds (cresol, hexachlorophene, chlorohexidine)
c., alcohols (ethanol, isopropanol)
What does active immunisation mean?
It means the transfer of microbes or microbial products (vaccines) to the human body
to induce long-lasting immunity against a specific infectious disease
What does passive immunisation mean?
It means the administration of preformed antibody (immune globulins produced in
animals or humans) to the human body resulting in short-term protection against a
specific infectious disease
Mention 2 bacterial infectious diseases that can be prevented or treated by passive
immunisation!
prevention: tetanus
treatment: diphtheria, botulism, tetanus
Describe precisely what toxoid means!
Inactivated bacterial exotoxin that is not toxic but immunogenic
Mention 2 infectious diseases that can be prevented by vaccines containing toxoids!
Diphtheria, tetanus, (pertussis)
What does the DTaP vaccine contain?
diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and
acellular pertussis vaccine (toxoid and other purified antigens)
What does the vaccine against tuberculosis (BCG) contain?
live attenuated Mycobacterium bovis (Bacille Calmette-Guerin)
What is the nature of antigen in the vaccines used to prevent infections by
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis?
capsular polysaccharide (either alone or conjugated to a carrier protein)
Specify the 4 groups of bacterial vaccines (classified according to the nature of the
bacterial component)!
a., live, attenuated vaccines
b., killed (inactivated) bacterial vaccines
c., toxoid vaccines
d., subunit vaccines (capsular polysaccharide or purified protein)
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of live attenuated vaccines as
compered to killed vaccines?
Advantages: induce not only serum antibodies but also cellular immunity and local IgA
antibodies. Some may be applied orally. Usually fewer doses are needed.
Disadvantages: Attenuated strains may revert to virulent in rare cases. They may cause
disease in immunosuppressed patients. Live attenuated microbes are usually heat
sensitive and must be refrigerated.
Mention 2 bacterial exotoxins that act by ADP ribosylation!
Diphtheria toxin, cholera toxin, pertussis toxin
What is the mechanism of action of diphtheria toxin?
Inhibition of protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells by ADP-ribosylation of ribosomal
EF-2 (elongation factor-2)
What is the mechanism of action of tetanus toxin?
It causes spastic paralysis by blocking the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters
(glycine and GABA) in synapses
Mention at least three of the physiological effects of septic shock (characterized by the
presence of large amount of bacterial endotoxin in the blood)!
fever, hypotension, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), complement
activation, impaired organ perfusion, hypoglycaemia
Mention 2 non-essential bacterial organelles that enhance bacterial virulence! Describe
how their function contributes to pathogenicity!
Capsule: antiphagocytic effect, adhesion to tissues
Fimbriae: binding to tissues
Flagellae: spreading the bacteria
Mention 4 extracellular enzymes of bacterial origin functioning as virulence factors!
coagulase, streptokinase (fibrinolysine), streptodornase (DNase), hyaluronidase, IgA
protease, collagenase, elastase, urease
What is a vector? Write an example!
Vector is an arthropod that transmits infection from human to human, or from animal to
human
examples. tick – Lyme disease; louse – epidemic typhus; mosquito – malaria
Mention 2 infectious diseases that are transmitted to humans by tick bites!
tick-borne encephalitis; Lyme-disease; tularemia; Rocky-Mountain spotted fever; etc.
What is a reservoir? Write an example!
The normal host of a pathogen (human or animal) serving as a continuous source of
infection to other hosts (such as humans).
Salmonella typhi – human; Yersinia pestis - rodents
Mention at least 5 possible transmission ways of infections!
respiratory droplets (infectious aerosol)
faecal-oral
direct contact (such as sexual)
fomites (inanimate objects)
blood
vectors (blood-sucking arthropods)
What is the difference between prevalence and incidence of an infectious disease?
It can be differentiated in chronic diseases. Prevalence: total number of diseases (per
100,000 people). Incidence: number of new cases in a year (per 100,000 people).
What is the difference between mortality and case fatality rate of a disease?
Mortality: total number of deaths caused by the disease in a population of 100,000
people in a year. Case fatality rate: rate of death (in percent) among patients suffering
from the disease.
Describe the rules of collecting native urine for culturing bacteria! Describe also the
conditions for keeping the specimen before sending it to the laboratory!
A midstream specimen, taken preferably in the morning, after thorough cleaning of
the external genital area. Keep it up to 1 h at room temperature or up to 24 h at +4
oC.
Describe the rules of collecting hemoculture specimens!
It is recommended to obtain 3 specimens (with at least 30 min. between the specimens).
The specimens should be preferably taken before fever spikes (during rising fever),
from fresh peripheral venipuncture sites. If possible, both aerobic and anaerobic
bottles should be used (3 x 2 bottles altogether). The site of venipuncture and the plug of
the bottle containing the medium must be properly disinfected. The amount of blood
injected to the bottle should be about 10 % of the liquid medium. The specimen should be
taken before giving antibiotics to the patient.
Mention two clinical specimens that are heavily contaminated with bacteria belonging
to the normal body flora!
throat and nasal secretions, faeces, vaginal secretions.
Explain the purpose for using beta-lactamase inhibitors in antibacterial therapy!
Combination of beta-lactamase inhibitors (such as clavulanic acid or sulbactam) with
beta-lactamase sensitive penicillins (such as amoxicillin or ampicillin) can overcome
resistance mediated by many but not all beta-lactamases.
Mention a group of antimicrobial drugs that acts on the bacterial ribosome and usually
has bactericidal effect!
aminoglycosides
Mention 2 broad-spectrum (effective against both Gram positive and Gram negative
bacteria) penicillin derivatives.
ampicillin, amoxicillin, piperacillin, (azlocillin, mezlocillin)
Mention an antifungal and an antibacterial drug that alter the function of the cell
membrane!
antifungal: Amphotericin B; antibacterial: polymyxins
What are the possible mechanisms of acquired penicillin resistance of bacteria? Mention
at least 3 mechanisms!
- beta-lactamase production
- PBP (target) alteration
- reduced permeability
- active efflux
Mention a drug belonging to macrolides!
erythromycin, spiramycin, roxithromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin
Mention 2 drugs belonging to aminoglycosides!
streptomycin, gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin…
Mention 2 groups of antimicrobial drugs that act on the 30 S subunit of the bacterial
ribosome!
aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, glycylcyclines
Mention 3 antimicrobial drugs that act on the 50 S subunit of the bacterial ribosome!
chloramphenicol, erythromycin (and other macrolides), clindamycin, linezolid,
streptogramins
Mention 3 groups of antibacterial drugs inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis!
penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams, glycopeptides
Mention 4 groups of antibiotics which have bactericidal effects!
penicillins, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolons etc.
Which antibiotics inhibit bacterial DNA gyrase/topoisomerase enzymes?
nalidixic acids, fluoroquinolons
What is the mode of action of the antibiotics sulfonamides and trimethoprim,
respectively?
They inhibit the synthesis of folic acid. Sulfonamides: inhibit the synthesis of dihidrofolate
(they are PABA analogues). Trimethoprim: inhibition of dihidrofolate-reductase.
What is the mode of action of the antibiotic vancomycin?
Inhibits cell wall synthesis in Gram positive bacteria by blocking transglycosylation /
transpeptidation
Mention 4 groups of antibiotics inhibiting protein synthesis of bacteria!
Aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, macrolides, lincosamides
Give an example of synergistic interaction between 2 antibiotics!
penicillin combined with gentamicin, or a sulfonamide combined with trimethoprim
Give an example of antagonistic interaction between 2 antibiotics!
penicillin combined with tetracycline
What does selective toxicity mean?
Selective inhibition of the growth of the microorganism without damage to the host.
In other words: the drug is highly toxic to the bacteria, but not toxic (or have very low
toxicity) to the human host.
What is the mechanism of action of lysozyme? Where is lysozyme found in the host?
It destroys bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan by hydrolysing the glycosyl bonds
between NAM (N-acetylmuramicacid) and NAG (N-acetylglucosamine). It occurs in
tear, saliva, respiratory secretions.
What roles can be attributed to specific antibodies in antibacterial immunity? Specify at
least 3!
a. neutralisation of exotoxins and enzymes
b. complement-dependent bacteriolysis (Gram-negatives)
c. opsonisation (helping phagocytosis)
d. interfering with attachment of bacteria to mucosal surfaces
Which type of hypersensitivity is involved in the tuberculin test?
late type (type IV)
Which Gram negative organelles or structures are associated with the O, H and K
antigens, respectively?
O- LPS, H-flagella, K-capsule
How can one identify the different surface antigens of Gram negative bacteria?
with slide (rarely tube) agglutination tests using antibodies of known specificity
Starting from a fixed smear, specify the main steps of Gram stain in the appropriate
order!
- Crystal violet
- Lugol solution (iodine)
- Differentiation: ethanol wash
- Counterstaining: safranin or fuchsin
(wash with tap water after each step)
Starting from a fixed smear, specify the main steps of the acid-fast stain (Ziehl-Neelsen)
in the appropriate order!
- Stain with carbol-fuchsin (with heating)
- Differentiation: wash with acid-ethanol
- Counterstaining with methylene-blue
(wash with tap water after each step)
Describe the principle of acid fast staining procedures!
Mycobacteria contain a high amount of special lipids called mycolic acids. They can be
stained by hot carbol-fuchsin, but they resist decolourisation with acid-alcohol, so they
remain red. All other cells are decolorised by acid-alcohol and then stained blue by the
counter stain (methylene blue).
What is the difference between agglutination and precipitation?
Both are serological reactions where specific binding of the antigen with the antibody
directly results in a reaction visible by the naked eye. The difference is in the nature of the
antigen. Agglutination: particulate antigen (RBC, bacteria, latex particles).
Precipitation: antigen is in solution before the reaction.
What does titer mean in serological tests?
The highest dilution of the serum sample that still gives a positive reaction in the test.
How can one differentiate between past and current infections in serological tests?
Current infections are indicated by: either IgM class specific antibodies or, in the case of
paired serum specimens (taken from the same patient at least 7-10 days apart), a
significant (at least 4-fold) rise in the titer of specific antibodies.
Specify the main steps of an ELISA test in which we detect antibodies from patients’
serum samples using known antigens!
- Binding antigen to plastic surface (in wells of a 96-well plate)
- Adding diluted serum sample (specific antibodies bind to the antigen)
3.Adding conjugate (secondary antibody conjugated with an enzyme) - Adding the substrate of the enzyme, reading the colour reaction.
(wash with buffer after steps 1-3.)
How can one determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of an antibiotic to a
bacterial isolate?
Inoculate the bacterial isolate into a series of test tubes containing 2-fold dilution series of
the drug (prepared in appropriate liquid culture medium). After overnight incubation, the
lowest concentration of drug that prevents visible growth of the organism is the MIC.
Describe the principle of the Kirby-Bauer (disk diffusion) method used to determine
antibiotic sensitivity!
Disks impregnated with different antibiotics are placed on the surface of appropriate agar
media that has been previously inoculated with the bacterium isolated from the patient.
After overnight incubation, the antibiotics diffusing from the discs may cause zones of
inhibition around the discs. The size of the zone should be compared to standard values to
determine antibiotic sensitivity.
Mention 5 diseases that are frequently caused by Staphylococcus aureus!
folliculitis, furunculus, bullous impetigo, osteomyelitis, food poisoning, pneumonia
etc.
Mention 2 toxin-mediated staphylococcal diseases!
toxic shock syndrome (TSS), scalded skin syndrome, food poisoning
Mention 3 toxic products produced by Staphylococcus aureus!
TSST (toxic shock syndrome toxin), enterotoxin, exfoliatin, leukocidins, hemolysins
Which is the most virulent species of the Staphylococcus genus?
S. aureus
Which enzymatic virulence factor is characteristic exclusively for Staphylococcus
aureus?
exocoagulase
Which biochemical test can be used to differentiate staphylococci from streptococci?
catalase test
Which antibacterial drug is the first choice in serious infections caused by methycillin
sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) strains?
oxacillin (cloxacillin, flucloxacillin)
Which antibacterial drug is the first choice in serious infections caused by methycillin
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains?
glycopeptides (vancomycin, teicoplanin)
In which disease is Staphylococcus saprophyticus considered an obligate pathogen?
cystitis in young women
Which cell constituents determine the group-specific, and the type specific antigens of
Streptococcus pyogenes, respectively?
group specific: C- polysaccharide
type specific: M protein
Mention 3 enzymes produced by Streptococcus pyogenes that enhance the spread of
the bacterial infection in the body!
Streptokinase (fibrinolysin), hyaluronidase, streptodornase (DNAse)
List 3 diseases caused by Streptococcus pyogenes in the skin or in subcutaneous
tissues!
impetigo, erysipelas, cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, myonecrosis
Mention a toxin-mediated streptococcal disease; specify the name of the toxin and its
mechanism of action!
Scarlet fever - erythrogenic toxin – superantigen causing capillary destruction
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) – TSST - superantigen
Mention 2 poststreptococcal diseases!
Glomerulonephritis, rheumatic fever, (erythema nodosum, chorea minor)
Which product of Streptococcus pyogenes has a major pathogenic role in
poststreptococcal diseases?
M protein: may induce hypersensitivity reactions
How long does immunity against scarlet fever exist? Which immune effector
mechanism is involved?
Life-long immunity. Antitoxic antibodies are involved.
What is the drug of first choice in Streptococcus pyogenes infection?
Penicillin-G, penicillin V / amoxicillin
What is the patomechanism of post-streptococcal rheumatic fever?
type II hypersensitivity (cytotoxic antibodies)
What is the patomechanism of post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis?
type III hypersensitivity (immune complexes)
Which Streptococcus species plays major role in the meningitis of newborn babies?
Group B Streptococcus (S. agalactiae)
What is (are) the major causative agent(s) for native valve infective endocarditis?
Viridans streptococci
Mention 2 diseases that are frequently caused by enterococci!
urinary tract infections, endocarditis, intraabdominal and pelvic infections
What are the specific morphologic features of Streptococcus pneumoniae?
Gram positive diplococcus, lancet shape, capsule.
Mention 3 diseases that are frequently caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae!
Pneumonia, meningitis, sinusitis, otitis media, sepsis
What fast diagnostic procedure can be used in acute Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection?
Demonstration of bacteria (intracellular in PMNs) from urethral discharge by Gram
or methylene blue stain; PCR amplification of bacterial DNA
What kind of immunity develops after Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection?
Partial immunity of short duration; no protection from reinfection
Specify at least 2 of the most important manifestations of disseminated gonorrhoeal
infections!
arthritis, skin lesions, (endocarditis, meningitis)
What is the major manifestation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in newborns?
How can it be prevented?
Blenorrhoea (ophtalmia) neonatorum; silver acetate eye drops or erythromycin
ointment
Mention at least 3 major virulence factors of Neisseria gonorrhoeae!
pilus, outer membrane proteins, LOS (lipooligosaccharide), IgA protease
Mention at least 2 major virulence factors of Neisseria meningitidis!
polysaccharide capsule, LOS, IgA protease
What is the site of entry of Neisseria meningitidis infection? Which diseases are
caused by this bacterium?
The site of entry is the nasopharynx (transmitted by airborne droplets).
Meningococcemia and acute (purulent) bacterial meningitis.
What kinds of prophylactic measures are available against Neisseria meningitidis
infections?
Chemoprophylaxis: rifampin or ciprofloxacin.
Vaccination: capsular polysaccharide (types A, C, Y and W135). Vaccine against
type B: contains different recombinant proteins.
Which rapid diagnostic methods can be used in the presumptive diagnosis of purulent
bacterial meningitis?
Gram or methylene blue stain of CSF sediment
Demonstration of bacterial capsular antigens by latex agglutination (from CSF)
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
What does the vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae contain?
type b capsular polysaccharide conjugated to a carrier protein
Which are the portals of entry of Bacillus anthracis?
Skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract
Mention 3 important bacteria involved in nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections!
Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia
coli, Clostridioides difficile
Mention four E. coli pathogenetic groups involved in enteric diseases!
Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)
Enterotoxic E. coli (ETEC)
Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)
Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC)
Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAggEC)
What are the most important extraintestinal infections caused by E. coli? Mention at
least 3 of them!
urinary tract infections, neonatal meningitis, nosocomial wound infections
The most frequent causative agent of urinary tract infections is:
Escherichia coli
Which 2 diseases are caused by E. coli O157:H7?
hemorrhagic colitis +/- HUS (hemolytic uraemic syndrome)
What is the reservoir of Salmonella typhi?
humans (with disease, or healthy carriers)
Which bacteria cause most frequently typhoid fever and enteric fever, respectively?
Salmonella typhi (typhoid)
Salmonella paratyphi A, B, C (enteric fever)
When typhoid fever is suspected, what kinds of clinical samples should be used to isolate
the causative agent in the first 2 weeks of the disease?
Blood, (bone marrow)
What is the route of infection in Salmonella gastroenteritis?
Ingestion of contaminated food (such as eggs, cream, mayonnaise, creamed foods, etc.)
containing a sufficient number of Salmonella.
Which antibacterial drugs should be administered in gastroenteritis caused by
Salmonella?
Antibiotics are usually contraindicated unless the infection is generalised. In case of
extraintestinal infection (very young, very old or immunosuppressed patients):
ampicillin, gentamicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, third generation
cephalosporins, or ciprofloxacin.
List the 4 Shigella species causing human disease!
Shigella dysenteriae, S. flexneri, S. boydii, S. sonnei
Mention 2 bacterial species belonging to different genera that cause bacillary dysentery
Shigella dysenteriae, (Shigella flexneri, Shigella boydii, Shigella sonnei), enteroinvasive
E. coli (EIEC)
Mention 3 bacterial species belonging to different genera that cause enteritis or
enterocolitis!
Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Shigella, Yersinia
enterocolitica
Mention 2 bacteria causing intestinal infections which have animal reservoirs!
Salmonella (not Typhi and Paratyphi!), Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolitica,
Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157
What are the modes of transmission for the 2 different epidemiologic forms of plague?
Bubonic plague is transmitted by the bite of infected rat fleas from rats to humans.
- Primary pneumonic plague spreads directly from human to human via respiratory
droplets.
What are the possible portals of entry of Francisella tularensis? Specify at least 4!
tick bite, conjunctiva, skin abrasions, resp. tract, gastroint. tract
How do humans acquire brucellosis? Where do the bacteria replicate in the human body?
Via contaminated milk products or through skin abrasions (contact with animals).
Organisms spread to the mononuclear phagocytes of the reticuloendothelial system
(lymph nodes, liver, spleen, bone marrow).
What are the reservoirs of the different Brucella species, respectively?
B. abortus: cattle
B. melitensis: goat, sheep
B. suis: swine
(B. canis: dog)
What is the mechanism of action of cholera toxin?
Cholera toxin activates the adenylate cyclase enzyme in cells of the intestinal mucosa
leading to increased levels of intracellular cAMP, and the secretion of large amount of
water, Na+
, K+
, Cl-
, and HCO3
-
into the lumen of the small intestine.
What is the principle of the treatment for cholera?
Rapid intravenous or oral replacement of the lost fluid and ions. In severe cases:
administration of tetracycline (in addition to rehydration).
Mention 4 diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae!
purulent meningitis
epiglottitis (obstructive laryngitis)
otitis media and sinusitis
pneumonia
(cellulitis, arthritis)
Which disease is caused by Haemophilus ducreyi?
Chancroid (soft chancre or ulcus molle), which is an STD (sexually transmitted disease)
What can serve as source of infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa?
Pseudomonas species are normally present in the environment and can be isolated from
the skin, throat, and stool of some healthy persons. They often colonize hospital food,
sinks, taps, mops, and respiratory equipment.
Mention 4 diseases that are frequently caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa!
urinary tract infections, wound infections (burns), otitis externa,
pneumonia, sepsis (immunosupression)
Mention at least 3 drugs which may be effective to treat infections caused by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa!
certain penicillins: piperacillin/tazobactam combination
a 3rd generation cephalosporin: ceftazidim
a 4th generation cephalosporin: cefepime
certain aminoglycosides: gentamycin, amikacin
carbapenems: imipenem, meropenem
What are the frequent sources of infection for Legionella pneumophila?
air conditioners, water taps, showers, evaporators, etc.
Which 2 diseases are caused by Legionella pneumophila?
legionellosis, legionnairs’ disease (atypical pneumonia)
- Pontiac fever (mild, flu like illness without pneumonia)
List 3 important virulence factors of Bordetella pertussis!
pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, adenylate-cyclase toxin, tracheal
cytotoxin
What is the precise definition of bacterial food poisoning?
Acute disease, usually with vomiting and diarrhea, usually caused by preformed toxins
produced by bacteria contaminating the food. The period between consumption of food
and the appearance of symptoms is short (< 4-6 hours).
Mention 3 bacterium species causing food poisoning!
Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium
botulinum
Which bacterium has the highest germ number in the colon?
Bacteroides fragilis
Mention 4 bacterial genera that are obligate anaerobes!
Clostridium, Bacteroides, Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium, Actinomyces,
Bifidobacterium, Peptostreptococcus, Propionibacterium
Which is the most important gas gangrene Clostridium? What is its main virulence factor?
Clostridium perfringens
alpha-toxin (lecithinase)
Mention 3 Clostridium species causing gas gangrene! How are they acquired?
Clostridium perfringens, C. novyi, C. septicum, C. histolyticum, C. tertium, C.
bifermentans, C. sporogenes
The site of infection is usually a wound that comes into contact with Clostridium spores
that germinate in an anaerobic environment.
How can be tetanus prevented in patients who have wounds possibly contaminated with C.
tetani spores?
Wound should be cleaned and debrided; tetanus toxoid booster injection given;
tetanus immunoglobulin (TETIG) in previously unvaccinated patients and in case of
heavy contamination of wound; penicillin may be added prophylactically
What are the main symptoms of tetanus? Specify at least 3!
Spastic paralysis: muscle spasms; lockjaw(trismus), rhisus sardonicus (grimace of the
face), opisthotonus (spasm of the back); respiratory paralysis
What is the mechanism of action of botulinum toxin?
Blocks release of acetylcholine in peripheral nerve synapses;
What are the main symptoms of botulism? Specify at least 3!
flaccid paralysis: diplopia (double vision), dysphagia (difficulty to swallow), dysphonia
(hoarseness), respiratory paralysis.
What kind of therapy is used to treat botulism?
Treatment: respiratory support + trivalent antitoxin
Explain whether or not antibiotic treatment is useful in botulism!
Not, because antibiotics are not effective against preformed toxins.