Gram + Bacilli

Question 1

capsule composed of protein (poly-D glutamic acid)

Answer 1

Bacillus anthracis

Question 2

most common route of entry; potent exotoxin causes localized tissue necrosis,
evidenced by a painless round black lesion with a rim of edema (malignant pustule)

Answer 2

cutaneous anthrax infection

Question 2

is very stable, resistant to drying, heat, UV light, &
disinfectants, can survive dormant in soil for decades

Answer 2

B. anthracis spore

Question 2

ingestion of spores from contaminated meat; B. anthracis matures and replicates in intestine,
where exotoxin is released; vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea; necrotic lesion within the intestine

Answer 2

Gastrointestinal anthrax

Question 2

patients initially develop diplopia & dysphagia; respiratory paralysis and death; treated with an antitoxin

Answer 2

Adult Botulism

Question 2

Spore Location of C. tetani

Answer 2

terminal

Question 2

a disease that primarily affects herbivores (cows and sheep)

Answer 2

anthrax

Question 2

produces extremely lethal neurotoxin that causes rapidly fatal food poisoning; neurotoxin blocks release of acetylcholine (ACh) causing flaccid muscle paralysis

Answer 2

Clostridium botulinum (Botulism)

Question 2

spores are taken up by WBCs in the lungs; Mediastinal hemorrhage & pleural effusions; MR = 90%

Answer 2

Pulmonary anthrax | Woolsorter’s disease

Question 2

Spore Location of C. botulinum

Answer 2

Subterminal

Question 2

spores float in air and can land on food; food with spores not cooked sufficiently, placed into an anaerobic environment (like a glass jar, can, or zip-lock freezer bag)

Answer 2

Adult Botulism

Question 2

ingestion of fresh honey contaminated with spores; spores colonizes the infant’s intestinal tract; initially, infant will be constipated for 2 to 3 days; followed by difficulty swallowing and muscle weakness; “floppy” babies; antitoxin is generally not used

Answer 2

Infant Botulism

Question 2

tetanospasmin causes a sustained contraction of skeletal muscles called _____

Answer 2

tetany

Question 2

disease that follows a puncture wound or skin trauma by any object contaminated with spores in anaerobic environment

Answer 2

Clostridium tetani (Tetanus)

Question 2

Clostridium tetani releases an exotoxin, called _________

Answer 2

tetanospasmin

Question 3

_________ are commonly found in soil and animal feces

Answer 3

Clostridium tetani spores

Question 3

severe muscle spasms of jaw

Answer 3

trismus, lockjaw

Question 4

severe hyperextension

Answer 4

opisthotonus

Question 4

grotesque grinning expression (___________) due to spasm of facial muscle

Answer 4

risus sardonicus

Question 5

trauma into muscle, secretes exotoxins that destroy adjacent muscle. CT scan reveals pockets of gas within the muscles and subcutaneous tissue. As the enzymes degrade the muscles, a thin, blackish fluid exudes from the skin.

Answer 5

Clostridial myonecrosis

Question 6

In the emergency room you will encounter Patients who were immunized as a child and received periodic boosters but the last shot was more than 10 years ago. Give

Answer 6

Give booster.

Question 6

Necrotic skin is exposed to Clostridium perfringens,
which grows and damages local tissue. Palpation reveals a moist, spongy, crackling
consistency to the skin due to pockets of gas; this is called crepitus.

Answer 6

Cellulitis/wound infection

Question 6

In the emergency room you will encounter Patients who have never been immunized. Give _________

Answer 6

immune globulin + booster

Question 7

______ devastated soldiers wounded in battle

Answer 7

Clostridium perfringens

Question 7

spores contaminate wounds from battle or other trauma; deep wounds with lots of dead tissue create an anaerobic environment that offers an excellent home for Clostridium perfringens

Answer 7

Clostridium perfringens
(Gas gangrene)

Question 7

disease is characterized by severe diarrhea,
abdominal cramping, and fever

Answer 7

Pseudomembranous Enterocolitis

Question 7

pathogen responsible for antibiotic-associated
pseudomembranous colitis

Answer 7

Clostridium difficile
(Pseudomembranous Enterocolitis)