fun bacterial infections Flashcards
clostridium botulinum?
anaerobic, spore forming bacillus found in soil
what is the main cause of problems in botulism?
the toxins that are produced: letters A-G
what toxins cause illness in humans?
A, B, E and rarely F
how to humans inadvertently ingest it?
it may get packed in food (home canned, smoked, or commercial) where the toxin in produced and stored until ingested
what are the three types of botulims?
foodborne, wound, and infant
what does the botulinum toxin do?
inhibits the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular juction
what causes infant and would botulims?
exposure to the bacteria or spores and elaboratio of the toxin invivo
why has the prevalance of wound botulism increased in the past few years?
injection of black-tar heroin
what are the initial clinical symptoms of a botulism infection?
visual changes, including diplopia and loss of acommodation
how soon after ingestion do sx appear in botulism infection?
12-36 hours
what are other manifestations of botulims?
ptosis, impaired extraocular muscle movements, fixed, dilated pupils
- cranial nerve palsies
- dysphonia
- dry mouth
- dysphagia
- N, V
what are the complications of botulism?
respiratory paralysis!
is AMS or sensory deficits apparent in botulism?
nope!
what are some sx seen in infants dx with botulism?
lethargic, feed poorly, constipated, weak cry and poor muscle tone
-floppy baby syndrome
what are ddx for botulism?
Guillian Barre, stroke, MG
how do you test for botulism?
- find toxin in serum, stool, or wound
- testing must be done at a state health department
- nerve conduction studies
- identify toxin using specific antiserum after mouse inoculation with the pts serum
was is the tx of botulism?
antitoxin that is available through the CDC
-supportive care: intubation, mechanical ventilation
if dysphagia persists, then IV nutritional support and hyperalimentation
TETANUS?
produced by Clostridium tetani
what kind of bacteria is clostridium tetani?
a gram positive anaerobic rod
what acutally causes the problems of tetanus?
the exotoxin produced by the bacteria
-called tetanospasmin
what is the pathophysiology of tetanus?
humans usually contract via wound and the spores regenerate under anaerobic conditions and disperse via blood stream
where are the spores of C. tetani most likely to be found?
in animal feces and soil
-highly resistant
what do the toxins of C. tetani do?
act on central and peripheral nervous systems interfering with release of NT
what is the incubation period for tetansu?
3-21 days (4-14 for neonatal)
**shorter the incubation, higher the likelihood of death