Microbio 1 Flashcards
common themes in exotoxin structure and function
- encoded on plasmids
- common strategies: superantigenicity, interference with signal transduction, depolymerization of actin
- A-B structure: A has toxic activity and B delivers A to target
- heat liable, inactivated toxoids are useful vaccine targets
virulence factors
gene products expressed by pathogens that directly contribute to disease process (enhances pathogenicity); often encoded on accessory DNA transferred horizontally on plasmids or by phage
when do commensals become pathogens or symbiotes?
when assumptions of commensal relationship are violated
- escape proper containment
- host is immunosuppressed and commensal overgrows
- antibiotic use throws off commensal balance
- pathogen to neonate after vaginal delivery
definition of endotoxin
innate structural components of bacteria that cause strong immune response, neither previous exposure nor vaccination is protective
Staph. Aureus
MRSA Tests: gram +, beta hemolytic, catalase +, coagulase+ Vir. Factors: protein A, capsule Toxins: DNAse, TSS Reservoir: flora of nose or skin Transmission: direct or indirect
Staph. epidermis
piercing infections
Tests: gram +, coagulase -, novobiocin S
Reservoir: flora of skin and mucus membranes
Transmission: attaches to nylon and plastic
Staph. saprophyticus
UTI (not major cause)
Tests: gram +, coagulase -, novobiocin R
Strep. pneumoniae
Tests: gram +, catalase -, alpha hemolytic, diplococci
Vir. Factors: capsule
Reservoir: throat
Viridans Strep
dental caries and endocarditis
Tests: gram +, catalase -, alpha hemolytic
Vir. Factors: sugar-metabolizing enzymes (biofilm production)
Reservoir: teeth
Group A (Strep. pyogenes)
Strep throat
Tests: gram +, catalase -, beta hemolytic bacitracin S
Vir. Factors: pili, M Protein
Toxins: streptokinase, streptodornase, et al.
Reservoir: pharynx, skin
Transmission: carriers, infected pt
Group B
pathogenic to neonates Tests: gram +, catalase -, beta hemolytic, bacitracin R, CAMP + Vir. Factors: capsule Reservoir: genital tract of women Transmission: vaginal birth
Group D
Tests: gram +, catalase -, gamma hemolytic
Reservoir: GI tract
N. Meningitis
Tests: gram -, maltose + Vir. Factors: capsule Toxins: LPS Reservoir: resp. tract, carriers Transmission: droplets
N. Gonorrhea
Tests: gram -, maltose - Vir. Factors: pili Toxins: LOS Reservoir: genitals Transmission: sex
Sterilization
eliminates all forms of microbial life, living tissue cannot be sterilized
Disinfection
eliminates many or all pathogens (except bacterial spores) on inanimate objects, base different levels of activity based on microorgs
Antiseptic
reduction of microorgs on living tissue/skin
Gas Plasma
sterilization tech.; free radicals produced with UV and H2O2 or peracetic acid disrupt microorgs
Irradiation
sterilization tech.; single-use medical supplies, RBCs to help prevent graft-vs.-host
what is the only liquid chemical disinfectant that can be considered a sterilant?
cidex
what is the chain of infection?
pathogen–> reservoir–> portal of exit–> means of transmission–> portal of entry–> susceptible host
what is the Ames test?
test using bacteria to determine if something in carcinogenic; inoculate plate with tester strain, filter disk containing test chemical
negative result: few spontaneous revertants
positive result: increased revertants near test chemical
Transformation
DNA released from dead bacteria may be taken up nonspecifically by live bacteria; DNA is incorporated into the recipient genome by homologous recombination
General transduction
bacterial gene transfer to another bacterium via a bacteriophage; typically carries only bacterial DNA and no viral DNA; special case of transformation
Specialized transduction
restricted set of bacterial genes is transferred to another bacterium; prophage excises imprecisely from the chromosome so that bacterial genes adjacent to prophage are included in the excised DNA
Conjugation
mechanism by which many antibiotic-resistance genes are transferred; male cell produces pilus, pilus attaches to recipient, mobile plasmid (contains F Factor with genes for pilus and conjugation) is transferred to recipient cell
Bacterial gene expression
operon cluster of genes whose expression is controlled by one promoter; promoter is separated from genes by an operator which regulates expression of operon; repressor or product can bind to operon to stop gene expression
quorum sensing
ability of bacteria to sense their own population density; secreted inducer, receptor for inducer, transcriptional activator that responds
obligate anaerobes
derive ATP from breakdown of glucose; cannot detoxify oxygen radicals; fermentation: use pyruvate as an electron acceptor to deoxidize the used coenzymes
obligate aerobes
efficiently derive ATP from oxidizing sugars or other organic molecules; contain oxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and/or cytochrome c; glycolysis–> citric acid cycle–> ETC
facultative anaerobes
encode both fermentation and aerobic respiration, grow much faster when O2 is available (e.g., e.coli)
stages of bacterial cell growth in the lab
lag (upreg of metabolism and growth), log (rapid cell division), stationary (die and grow at same rate, nutrient depletion and waste accumulation), and death (waste kills off most remaining bacteria)