Microbes as Weapons (Part 1)

Question 1

what are the 6 Category A (highest risk) agents?

Answer 1

Bacillus anthracis
Botulinum toxin
Yersinia pestis
Smallpox virus
Francisella tularensis
Viral hemorrhagic fevers

Question 2

causative agent of anthrax?

Answer 2

Bacillus anthracis

Question 3

Bacillus anthracis causes

Answer 3

anthrax

Question 4

Causative agent of botulism?

Answer 4

Botulinum toxin

Question 5

Botulinum toxin causes…

Answer 5

Botulism

Question 6

causative agent of plague?

Answer 6

Yersinia pestis

Question 7

Yersinia pestis causes

Answer 7

plague

Question 8

causative agent of tularemia?

Answer 8

Francisella tularensis

Question 9

Ebola is an example of what Category A agent?

Answer 9

Viral hemmorhagic fevers

Question 10

what’s one example of a viral hemorrhagic fever?

Answer 10

Ebola

Question 11

what makes bacillus anthracis easy to identify?

Answer 11

non-hemolytic
medusa head colonies
gram positive rod
endospores

Question 12

non-hemolytic

Answer 12

Bacillus anthracis

Question 13

medusa head colonies

Answer 13

Bacillus anthracis

Question 14

gram positive rod

Answer 14

Bacillus anthracis

Question 15

endospores

Answer 15

Bacillus anthracis

Question 16

how to confirm that it’s Bacillus anthracis?

Answer 16

• lysis by gamma phage
• fluorescent Ab
• PCR amplification: DNA can be found on spore by testing spore powder

Question 17

what are the three forms of anthrax?

Answer 17

Inhalation anthrax
Cutaneous anthrax
Gastrointestinal anthrax

Question 18

what is the anticipated delivery of anthrax?

Answer 18

aerosol

Question 19

what are three virulence factors of inhalation anthrax?

Answer 19

• GERMINATES IN PHAGOCYTES
• CAPSULE prevents phagocytosis
• 3 FATAL TOXINS

Question 20

what are the three fatal toxins of inhalation anthrax?

Answer 20

1. PA: protective antigen
2. LF: lethal factor
3. EF: edema factor

Question 21

what does the protective antigen do, and what disease is it associated with?

Answer 21

forms pores, delivers toxins

inhalation anthrax

Question 22

what does the lethal factor do, and which disease is it associated with?

Answer 22

interrupts cell signaling, interferes with macrophage function and dendritic cell function

inhalation anthrax

Question 23

what does the edema factor do, and which disease is it associated with?

Answer 23

causes cells to secrete fluids

inhalation anthrax

Question 24

symptoms of inhalation anthrax

Answer 24

1-3 post-infection, symptoms mimic a viral respiratory disease, sometimes apparent recovery

spores begin to germinate, cells produce toxins for 2-43 days following exposure (long incubation period)

abrupt onset of massive tissue hemorrhage, necrosis, edema, high fever, shock

rapid, fatal if no treatment

Question 25

symptom: symptoms mimic a viral respiratory disease

Answer 25

inhalation anthrax

Question 26

symptom: sometimes apparent recovery

Answer 26

inhalation anthrax

Question 27

symptom: cells produce toxins for 2-43 days after exposure

Answer 27

inhalation anthrax

Question 28

symptom: edema, shock, tissue hemorrhage

Answer 28

inhalation anthrax

Question 29

symptom: without treatment, disease progresses quickly to death

Answer 29

inhalation anthrax

Question 30

introduction of spores into the skin, they germinate and produce toxins

Answer 30

Cutaneous anthrax

Question 31

how is cutaneous anthrax developed in the body?

Answer 31

introduction of spores into the skin, they germinate and produce toxins

Question 32

when does cutaneous anthrax become fatal?

Answer 32

when the pathogen leaves the epidermis/dermis and enters the subcutaneous

Question 33

symptom: painless black scab

Answer 33

cutaneous anthrax

Question 34

symptom: extensive local edema

Answer 34

cutaneous anthrax

Question 35

what are the two outcomes for cutaneous anthrax that we studied in class?

Answer 35

10-20% of cases progress to fatal bacteremia otherwise, it's a self-limiting, localized lesion that heals spontaneously

Question 36

symptoms of cutaneous anthrax

Answer 36

painless black scab, extnsive local edema

Question 37

can anthrax be transmitted person to person?

Answer 37

no

Question 38

treatment for anthrax (3)

Answer 38

- antibiotics - supportive therapy - 75% fatal even with treatment

Question 39

how to prevent anthrax?

Answer 39

prophylactic antibiotic treatment cell-free vaccine for high risk not stockpiled, not easily available attenuated strain for livestock

Question 40

gastrointestinal anthrax results from what?

Answer 40

consumption of improperly prepared meat containing vegitative cells

Question 41

symptoms: nausea, vomiting, malaise, bloody diarrhea (variable symptoms)

Answer 41

gastrointestinal anthrax

Question 42

symptoms of gastrointestinal anthrax

Answer 42

nausea, vomiting, malaise, bloody diarrhea

Question 43

rapid fatal progression in untreated patients

Answer 43

gastrointestinal anthrax