Micro V Flashcards
What is the morphology of clostridium tetani?
Gram positive rods
Is clostridium tetani an aerobe or an anaerobe?
Anaerobic
What is the reservoir for clostridium?
Soil
What is the MOA of tetanus toxin?
Toxin blocks release of inhibitory neurotransmitters (Glycine and GABA) Spastic
paralysis
Cleavage of synaptobrevin
What is the tetanus vaccine?
Toxoid
What is the most common scenario for acquiring
tetanus?
Rusty nail stick
What virus ascends in a retrograde manner to the
CNS?
Rabies
What is the treatment for tetanus?
Hyperimmune IVIG + benzos for spasms
What are the s/sx of tetanus? (3)
Trismus
Sardonic smile
Arched back
What are the top three cases requiring passive and active immunization?
- Tetanus
- Rabies
- HBV (needle stick or mothers)
What are the EM findings of Rabies?
Negri bodies
What is opisthotonus?
arched back 2/2 tetanus
Why are benzos useful for treating tetanus?
Potentiates GABA (which is blocked by tetanus)
What is another common scenarios for getting tetanus in developing countries?
Umbilical stump of newborn infants
What is the morphology of clostridium botulinum?
Gram positive rods
Is clostridium botulinum aerobic or anaerobic?
Anaerobic
What is the reservoir for clostridium botulinum?
Spores in the soil =
What is the treatment for clostridium botulinum?
antitoxin
What is the pathogenesis of clostridium botulinum?
Botulinum toxin inhibits neurotransmitter release from
presynaptic nerve endings by selectively proteolysing
(inhibiting) the synaptic protein synaptobrevin, which
plays a role in calcium-dependent exocytosis of
acetylcholine.
What are the foods associated with infant botulism?
Canned food or honey
Do adults get infected with clostridium botulinum through spores?
No–only infants whose immune system is not mature
What are the s/sx of botulinum?
- Fixed, dilated pupils
- Diplopia
- Dysphagia
What is the most common source of botulism in
adults?
The most common source of botulism in adults is canned beans; and in
particular yellow beans
What is the most common source of botulism in
babies?
• The common source of botulism in babies is honey.
Botulinum toxin is transferred by blood. Tetanus is
transmitted by what?
Botulinum toxin is transferred by blood. Tetanus is transmitted by nerves.
What is the morphology of clostridium perfringens? Aerobic?
Gram positive rod
Anaerobic
What is the virulence factor for clostridium perfringens?
Lectinthiase