Micro 5

Question 1

what are some general characteristics of Corynebacterium diphtheria?

Answer 1

Gram-positive
Catalase positive
human only reservoir
arranged like Chinese letters

Question 2

what is the major virulence factor of C. diphtheria?

Answer 2

diphtheria toxin

Question 3

what is the clinical picture of respiratory diphtheria?

Answer 3

exudative pharyngitis, with low-grade fever, malaise and sore throa

Question 4

what are the most common systemic spread sites of C. diphtheria?

Answer 4

heart: myocarditis, heart failure
neurons: neurotoxicity

Question 5

what media is used to culture C. diphtheria?

Answer 5

selective tellurite-containing media such as Hoyle’s agar, and Tinsdale agar.

Question 6

what is the first step when treating C. diphtheria

Answer 6

early administration of diphtheria antitoxin

Question 7

what are the main virulence factors of H. influenza? (3)

Answer 7

• antiphagocytic capsule (Hib)
• Lipid A in lipopolysaccharide
• IgA1 protease

Question 8

what can invasive H. influenza cause?

Answer 8

epiglottitis, meningitis, and cellulitis

Question 9

how do you detect H. influenza? (3)

Answer 9

• PRP detection (found in capsule)
• microscopically: pleomorphism
• culture on chocolate agar (factor X and factor V)