Gram positve bacilli

Question 1

Describe Listeria monocytogenes in terms of morphology/culture, and major illnesses associated w/ the microbe (include signs/symptoms), transmission

Answer 1

Morphology/Culture: G positive bacillus, aerobic, non-spore forming, GROWS IN REFRIGERATOR TEMPS, intracellular pathogen

Illness:

• Food poisoning
• miscarrage/still birt
• encephalomeningitis

Transmission: contaminated foods like cold cuts, unpasteurized cheese, grow in cold

Question 2

Describe Corynebacterium diphtheriae in terms of morphology/culture, virulence, and major illnesses associated w/ the microbe (include signs/symptoms)

Answer 2

Morphology/Culture: G positive bacillus, aerobic, non-spore forming need special culture

Virulence: diphtheria toxin

Illness: Diptheria= pseudomembrane in the throat
-toxin can affect myocardium

Question 3

Describe Bacillus cereus in terms of morphology, virulence, major illnesses associated w/ the microbe (include signs/symptoms), transmission route, and treatment

Answer 3

Morphology/Culture: G positive bacillus, aerobic, spore forming

Virulence: preformed toxins

Illness: food borne illness and emesis quickly after ingestion

Transmission: improperly cooked dried rice or beans

Question 4

Describe Bacillus anthracis in terms of morphology/culture, virulence, major illnesses associated w/ the microbe (include signs/symptoms), and treatment

Answer 4

Morphology/Culture: G positive bacillus, aerobic, spore forming

Virulence: edema and lethal toxin

Illness:
-Pulmonary anthrax (Wool sorters dz)= highly infectious, easily aerosolized, 60-100% mortality, widened mediastenium

-Cutaneous anthrax=necrotic lesion w/ black eschar

Treatment: Abx effect only before toxin period

Question 5

Describe Clostridium difficile in terms of morphology/culture, virulence, major illnesses associated w/ the microbe (include signs/symptoms), transmission route, and treatment

Answer 5

Morphology/Culture: G positive bacillus, anaerobic, spore forming

Virulence: toxin and possible tissue invasion

Illness:

• Abx diarrhea
• Pseudomembrabous colitis

Transmission: fecal oral, nosocomial

Treatment: appropriate Abx use, fecal transplant

Question 6

Describe Clostridium botulinum in terms of morphology/culture, virulence, major illnesses associated w/ the microbe (include signs/symptoms), transmission route, and benefits

Answer 6

Morphology/Culture: G positive bacillus, anaerobic, spore forming

Virulence: POTENT toxin = blocks Ach release so muscle cannot be stimulated

Illness: Botulism from food or wounds
-Infant botulism= via unpasteurized honey or other foods

Transmission: ingestion or via wound

Benefits: treat spasmodic dysphagia or cosmetics

Question 7

Describe Clostridium tetani in terms of morphology/culture, virulence, major illnesses associated w/ the microbe (include signs/symptoms), and transmission route

Answer 7

Morphology/Culture: G positive bacillus, drum stick shaped, anaerobic, spore forming

Virulence: Tetanus Neurotoxin (TeNT)

Illness: Lockjaw=continuous muscle contraction

Transmission: spores enter traumatic wound