Lecture 6- Bacillus Flashcards
What phylogenetic branch does bacillus belong to
Firmicutes (based on 16S rRNA sequencing)
Is bacillus a spore former
Yes it sporulates
Bacillus is gram negative - true or false
FALSE
Bacillus is gram positive
What shape is bacillus
Rod
Is bacillus catalase positive or negative
Catalase positive
Is bacillus aerobic or anaerobic
Aerobic
Where are the spores of bacillus found
Oval/central spores (no distension of sporgangium)
Spore fit within cell - no swelling
Bacillus is considered motile except for one species - which is it
Anthrax
What is specific about bacillus metabolism
It is very diverse - no typical bacillus
What are the three key species of bacillus
MESOPHILES - B.cereus, B. Anthracis and B.subtilis
INSECT PATHOGEN - B. Thuringiensis - toxic to insects so use as pesticide. Also in GM crops
What are the paenibacillus
Almost bacillus.
Reclassified 1993
Which did ferdinand cohn do in 1872
Work in spores of b. Subtilis and prove spores move transiently from spore to bacteria (spore and germination life cycle)
What fundamental work did r. Koch do in 1876 with a bacillus species
Linked b. Anthracis with disease. Looked at anthrax in mice
How many species are there in bacillus genus and nested genera
266 species
Where is bacillus cereus most commonly found
Ubiquitous
Typical soil and dust
Name two types of food b.cerus is associated with and why
Rice (associated starchy foods)
Herbs and spices
Dry foods e.g. Pot noodle
What are the two distinct foodborne intoxications of bacillus cereus
Emetic - vomiting
Diarrhoea
( different toxins)
Describe the incubation form and duration of EMETIC b.cereus and explain why it is this length
Onset 1-6 hours (short incubation)
Duration - up to 24 hours
Preformed toxin all have to do is eat - short incubation, as physical toxin clear form gut quicker henc 24 hr
What is the emetic toxin produced by b.cereus and what are key characteristics of this toxin
CEREULIDE
- heat stable - hence cannot reheat
- preformed
- resistant to proteolytic cleavage - pepsin and trypsin in stomach will not denature toxin
What does the emetic toxin CEREULIDE do
Once in stomach directly activate vagal neural system and lead to release of SEROTONIN (activate serotonin receptor) - increased stimulation of enteric NS lead to nausea and vomiting.
Gut has lots of neural connections - toxin attack this
Describe onset and duration of b.cereus diarrhoea form
Onset 8-16 hours
Duration 24 hours but has been seen to go on for 4-5 days
What is the pore forming complex of b.cereus diahorreal form made up of and why is it pore forming (shape)
Haemolysin BL (Hbl) Nonhaemolytic enterotoxin (Nhe) Cytotoxon K (Cytk)
Produced in intestine
BETA barrel confirmation THROUGH membrane so form a barrel hole in membrane - cell death. Lose structure of intestine wall so lose function - cannot absorb water so lose in faeces.
What is differnt about diahorreal toxin to emetic form
Emetic - heat stabile, preformed
Diahorreal - heat LABILE (sensitive to gut acids and heat - if reheat this then safe as not heat stable).
Organism produce toxin in gut (organism must be live in food and eaten rather than toxin eaten) - not preformed like emetic form.
What conc of b.cereus required for symptoms
10^5 cfu g^-1
Above what degree is food safe to be kept
63 degrees