Gram Positive Bacilli Aerobes Flashcards
Spore – forming
Bacillus spp.
Clostridium spp.
Non – sporeforming
Corynebacterium spp.
Listeria spp.
Most members are saprophytic organisms prevalent in soil, water, and air and on vegetation.
Bacillus spp.
Bacillus spp. Are motile except
B. anthracis and B. mycoides
Biochemical tests of bacillus spp.
(+) catalase; ferments glucose; starch hydrolyzers
causative agent of ANTHRAX
Bacillus anthracis
a disease of wild and domestic animals including sheep, goats,
horses and cattle.
ANTHRAX
produces endospores (central/subterminal) which are highly
resistant to heat and desiccation.
Bacillus anthracis
Habitat of Bacillus anthracis
SOIL (contracted by HERBIVORES)
Mode of Transmission: Inoculated with the spores, either by traumatic introduction, ingestion or inhalation during exposure to contaminated animal products.
Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus anthracis Gram positive (+) in chains;
“bamboo – fishing rod appearance”
Capsule of Bacillus anthracis
polypeptide D-glutamic acid
Bacillus anthracis Gram positive arranged singly;
“boxcar”
Gray to white colonies, raised with curled, irregular whirling margin
Bacillus anthracis
“MEDUSA HEAD” or “ground glass colonies”
Bacillus anthracis
Used for Cultural Characteristics of Bacillus anthracis
Blood Agar
disturbed portion of colony stands up like “BEATEN EGG WHITE” when lifted up
Bacillus anthracis
Gelatin: inverted pine – tree growth
Bacillus anthraci
Reduced nitrates to nitrite
Bacillus anthracis
Pathogenicity of Bacillus anthracis
Polypeptide capsule
Anthrax toxin
B. anthracis
complex protein toxin produced in vivo responsible for the signs and symptoms of disease
Anthrax toxin
3 types of Anthrax toxin
Protective antigen (PA);
Edema factor (EF);
Lethal factor (LF)
Binds to specific cell receptors; forms a membrane channel that mediates entry of EF and LF into the cell
PROTECTIVE ANTIGEN
an adenylate cyclase; with PA, it forms a toxin known as edema toxin
EDEMA FACTOR
with PA forms lethal toxin which is major virulence factor and cause of death in infected animal.
LETHAL FACTOR
Pathology of Bacillus anthracis
CUTANEOUS ANTHRAX (Malignant Pustule)
PULMONARY ANTHRAX/WOOLSORTER’S DSS.
GASTROINTESTINAL ANTHRAX/MILZBRAND
Occurs on exposed surfaces of the arms or hands followed in frequency by the face and neck
CUTANEOUS ANTHRAX (Malignant Pustule)
A pruritic papule develops 1–7 days after entry of the organisms or spores through a scratch; it rapidly changes into a vesicle or small ring of vesicles, and necrotic ulcer develops
CUTANEOUS ANTHRAX (Malignant Pustule)
Lesions are 1 – 3 cm in diameter and have a characteristic central black eschar.
CUTANEOUS ANTHRAX (Malignant Pustule)
Lesions are 1 – 3 cm in diameter and have a characteristic central black eschar.
CUTANEOUS ANTHRAX (Malignant Pustule)
PULMONARY ANTHRAX/WOOLSORTER’S DSS.
Early manifestations: marked hemorrhagic necrosis and edema of mediastinum; substernal pain is prominent
PULMONARY ANTHRAX/WOOLSORTER’S DSS.
Hemorrhagic pleural effusion follows; cough is secondary to the effects on trachea; sepsis occur; bowel ulceration; hemorrhagic meningitis
PULMONARY ANTHRAX/WOOLSORTER’S DSS.
acquired through ingestion of spores and affects either the oropharyngeal or the abdominal area.
GASTROINTESTINAL ANTHRAX/MILZBRAND