L20_Anaerobic Bacteria Flashcards
What do Obligate anaerobes use pyruvate for?
As an electron acceptor to re-oxidize coenzymes used in glycolysis
What are the two common sources of anaerobic infection?
- Normal Flora
2. Soil(spores)
What is a tell tale sign of anaerobic bacteria?
Abscess that fills will bacteria and dead neutrophils, swells, becomes painful, PUS
What are two common routes that anaerobes form the soil enter the body?
- A puncture wound
2. Vacuum-packed foods
Why shouldn’t you let a baby eat honey?
There can be spores in the honey (botulism) that the undeveloped immune system of the baby will not kill. The spores can germinate within the gut and fuck your kid up!
How can gas chromatography help identify anaerobes?
It can help identify the organic acids or alcohols being produced by the anaerobes fermentation pathways (sometimes you can run pus directly)
What are three laboratory tests that can be used to help identify anaerobes?
Gram Stain, Chemical testing, GC
Is there a lot of pressure for Anaerobes to develop antibiotic resistance? Why?
No. Because they are usually environmentally sourced.
How is an abscess from an anaerobic infection generally treated?
Surgery - drain and debride, followed by antibiotics.
How is a toxigenic disease caused by anaerobes generally treated?
Antitoxin administration. In many cases no antibiotic is needed because the is no active culture of the bug, just the exotoxin (i.e. botulism)
Name an antibiotic specific for anaerobic bacteria.
metronidazole
What are the four major genera of anaerobic bacteria. How do each Gram stain, what is the shape of all of them, which form spores.
Clostridium (Gram + and spore forming), Bacteroides (Gram -), Prevotella (Gram -), Actinomyces (Gram +) All are Rod shaped
What general category do Bacteroides and Prevotella fall under?
GNAB or ANGB (Gram negative anaerobic bacteria)
What do all infectious environmental anaerobes have in common?
Spore forming capabilities
How do all anaerobes cause disease
Exotoxins
