Microbiology Flashcards
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A normal inhabitant of the oral cavity, infection can be associated with dental procedures, with formation of lesions that erupt through the face with a purulent discharge
Actinomycetes israelii (diagnosis is by finding sulfur granules = tangles of filaments of organisms wrapped in a matrix of calcium phosphate, imparting a yellow [sulfur] color to the abscess and discharge)
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The most severe form of this disease results from the inhalation of spores with mediastinitis, pulmonary edema, and hemorrhage (Woolsorter’s disease)
Bacillus anthracis
(can occur as an occupational disease of textile or agricultural personnel resulting from contact with infected hides or wool; recently, it has gained attention as an agent of biowarfare and bioterrorism)
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Causes gastroenteritis and is typically associated with the consumption of reheated rice
Bacillus cereus
(rapid emesis or diarrhea is associated with an enterotoxin that increased cAMP and is produced by the organism as it germinates)
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Disease can be due to the ingestion of preformed toxin in home-canned foods or by the ingestion of spores in honey by an infant
Clostridium botulinum
symptoms include flaccid paralysis, dry mouth, diplopia, dysphagia, and respiratory failure
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Associated with the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and the overgrowth of toxin-producing bacteria
Clostridium difficile (results in pseudomembranous colitis and is also a major nosocomial disease)
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Causes gas gangrene and is often associated with automobile and motorcycle accidents
Clostridium perfringens
(spores are abundant in soil and germinate in wounds; treatment includes surgical debridement, antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen)
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Infection is associated with traumatic inoculation of spores that germinate and produce a toxin that causes a spastic paralysis
Clostridium tetani (the organism looks like a long rod with a dilated terminal end containing a spore that resembles a tennis racquet)
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Can cause risus sardonicus, the characteristics grimace of lockjaw
Clostridium tetani
(treatment includes the use of antitoxins produced in horses or hyperimmunized humans, and antispasmodics such as benzodiazepines)
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Causes gray pseudomembranes on the back of the throat
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
organism often viewed in a “Chinese-letter” configuration
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A common cause of nosocomial infections, this organism is often resistant to many antibiotics, including vancomycin
Enterococcus spp.
common cause of urinary tract infections, sepsis, meningitis, and endocarditis
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Causes a fishy smelling vaginal discharge
Gardnerella vaginalis (histologically characterized by the presence of "clue cells", vaginal epithelial cells covered with bacteria, see on a Pap smear)
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As the dominant organism of normal vaginal flora, its metabolism helps maintain the low pH of the vagina
Lactobacillus spp.
(the lactic acid produced helps prevent the overgrowth of potentially pathogenic organisms; with the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, such acid-producing flora is lost, allowing for overgrowth of pathogenic species)
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This cause of late onset neonatal sepsis is a facultative intracellular parasite that spreads from cell to cell via actin rockets
Listeria monocytogenes (this organism can be detected as short non-spore-forming rods with a tumbling end-over-end motility)
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As well as being gram positive, this organism is also weakly acid fast and causes a pneumonia predominantly in immuno-compromised patients
Nocardia asteroides
this aerobic bacteria with filamentous growth is a common soil organism
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Part of the microbial flora of the skin, this bacilli contributes to the development of acne
Propionibacterium acnes (the organism produces lipases that split fatty acids that cause inflammation, resulting in the formation of comedones)
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A major cause of acute bacterial endocarditis, especially in IV drug users
Staphylococcus aureus (unlike subacute bacterial endocarditis, this organism can cause infection of undamaged heart valves, typically on the right side [tricuspid] in IV drug users)
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A major cause of abscesses, furuncles, carbuncles, and other skin infections such as impetigo
Staphylococcus aureus
this beta-hemolytic cocci grows in grape-like clusters, produces coagulase, and grows in culture as yellowish colonies
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Part of the normal flora of the skin, it causes infection of IV lines and catheters; it is a major cause of endocarditis in patients with prosthetic heart valves
Staphylococcus epidermidis (similar to Staphylococcus aureus, but grows as white colonies, does NOT produce coagulase, does NOT ferment mannitol, and does NOT produce Protein A)
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The second leading cause of urinary tract infection in sexually active women
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
differentiated from Staphylococcus epidermidis by its ability to ferment mannitol and its resistance to novobiocin
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An important cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis
Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B) (this beta-hemolytic, bacitracin-resistant cocci is a normal inhabitant of the female genital tract and can be acquired during vaginal delivery)
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A major cause of dental caries
Streptococcus mutans
a member of the viridans group, it is also alpha-hemolytic and optochin-resistant
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Lancet-shaped diplococci found in a rusty brown sputum
Streptococcus pneumoniae (causes >90% of all cases of lobar pneumonia)
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The use of a quellung reaction helps differentiate between the 85 different capsular subtypes
Streptococcus pneumoniae (this alpha-hemolytic, optochin-sensitive bile-soluble coccus grows on sheep red blood cell agar; the vaccine contains at least 23 of these subtypes)
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Infection results in rheumatic fever
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A) (characterized by a constellation of symptoms including migratory polyarthritis, erythema marginatum, pancarditis, Sydenham chorea, and subcutaneous nodules)
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A major cause of pharyngitis, infection can also result in other suppurative symptoms such as erysipelas, cellulitis, and impetigo
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A) (infection with this beta-hemolytic, bacitracin-sensitive cocci can be serodiagnosed with the detection of host antibodies to bacterial DNase B and anti-streptolysin O [ASO])
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Infection can lead to the development of acute glomerulonephritis and mitral and aortic stenosis
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A) (immunocomplex deposition in the kidney visualized by "lumpy bumpy" immunofluorescence; cross-reactive antibodies to the bacteria result in autoimmune destruction of the heart valves)
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Leading cause of subacute bacterial endocarditis
Streptococcus viridans
this alpha-hemolytic, optochin-resistant cocci is part of the normal flora of the human pharynx
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Chronic exposure to this group of organisms leads to the development of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, including Farmer’s Lung, Pigeon breeder’s Lung, and Humidifier Lung
Thermophilic Actinomycetes (exposure causes an immunologically mediated interstitial fibrosis, bronchiolitis, and granuloma formation with progressive respiratory failure and cyanosis)
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The organism is detected as PAS+ rods within the macrophages of the lamina propria of the small intestine
Tropheryma whippelii (the causative agent of Whipple's disease that results in abdominal pain, malabsorption with diarrhea and weight loss, and a migratory polyarthritis)
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Predominant organism in the human colon
Bacteroides fragilis
most often the cause of serious anaerobic infection
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Transmitted by the bite, scratch, or lick of an infected cat, resulting in low grade fever and a characteristic enlargement of lymph nodes for several weeks
Bartonella henselae
(this is the causative agent of Cat scratch disease; infection of an immunocompromised patient can result in Bacillary angiomatosis, cranberry-like pustules resembling Kaposi sarcoma)
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Causes a paroxysmal cough ending with an inspiratory “whoop” as air rushed over the swollen glottis
Bordetella pertussis (the vaccine includes the purified virulence factors filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and pertussis toxoid, and is administered at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months along with the vaccine for Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Clostridium tetani in the DaPT vaccine)
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Transmitted by contaminated livestock and unpasteurized dairy products, infection results in a fever that rises in the morning and falls at night (Undulant fever)
Brucella spp.
this granulomatous infection invades the reticulo-endothelial cells of the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and bone marrow
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Endemic to tropical nations, this sexually transmitted organism results in granulomatous genital ulcers (pseudobuboes) with the potential for autoamputation of genitalia
Calymmatobacterium granulomatis (diagnosis is based on finding intracellular organisms aggregated as "Donovani Bodies")
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A common cause of bloody diarrhea, particularly in children in close contact with puppies and kittens, which serve as reservoirs
Campylobacter jejuni
these rod-shaped organisms appear as “gull wing”-shaped colonies with a single flagellum
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Causes a bloody diarrhea and is associated with the consumption of undercooked meat and dairy products
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (E. coli O157:H7)
(this dysentery-like condition is due to the elaboration of verotoxins similar to Shiga toxin that causes cytotoxicity to the colonic mucosa)
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Infection may result in hemorrhagic colitis progressing to the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (E. coli O157:H7)
HUS is characterized by acute renal failure, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia in children
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Leading cause of urinary tract infections
Escherichia coli (other major causes of urinary tract infections include Proteus, Serratia, Enterococci, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus)
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Causes “Traveler’s diarrhea” and is also a major cause of death in children of developing nations
Escherichia coli (the enterotoxigenic strain produces a heat stable and a heat labile toxin that causes an explosive watery diarrhea with cramping, abdominal discomfort, and dehydration)
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This zoonotic organism can be transmitted by the bite of a deerfly or tick, or through handling or consuming rabbit products, which are the reservoir
Francisella tularensis (infection can result in necrotic ulcers at the site of entry: conjunctiva (oculoglandular), mouth (typhoidal), or lungs (pneumonic tularemia) with disseminated granulomatous lesions of the lung, spleen, or liver)
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Organism closely associated with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease
Helicobacter pylori
also associated with an increase in the development of gastric carcinoma and MALToma
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A sexually transmitted disease, results in painful necrotizing genital ulcers (Chancroid)
Haemophilus ducreyi (infection in the U.S. is rare, most infections occur in the tropics; painless ulcer = T. pallidum)
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Infection with this coccobacillus causes epiglottitis, otitis media in children, sinusitis, meningitis, and pneumonia in older patients with chronic respiratory disease
Haemophilus influenzae
growth in culture of this organism requires Factor V [hemin] and Factor X [NAD], found in chocolate agar media
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Formerly a leading cause of infection in children, the incidence of infection has dramatically decreased with the introduction of a vaccine
Haemophilus influenzae
vaccine is composed of the capsular material, polyribitol phosphate [PRP], conjugated to diphtheria toxin
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Major cause of aspiration pneumonia in alcoholics
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(organism produces a large antiphagocytic capsule, giving it a mucoid appearance and producing a thick, bloody, “currant-jelly” sputum)
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Paired, kidney bean-shaped diplococci within leukocytes in a urethral discharge
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
(differentiated from N. meningitidis based on its ability to ferment glucose and maltose, whereas N. gonorrhoeae ferments glucose only)
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Leading cause of septic arthritis
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
typically presents as monoarticular arthritis of the knee, ankle, or wrist after a bout of urethritis
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Infection of a neonate passing through an infected birth canal results in ophthalmia neonatorum and purulent conjunctivitis
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
(babies born in the U.S. receive a required administration of tetracycline, erythromycin, or silver nitrate drops to prevent this)
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Sexually transmitted disease that can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease that then predisposes to ectopic pregnancy
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
the second most common notifiable disease in the U.S.
Leading cause of meningitis among military recruits and dormitory settings
Neisseria meningitidis (patients with deficiencies in the complement components C6-9, "the membrane attack complex", are particularly susceptible to infection)
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Septicemia resulting from this organism can result in progressive hypotension, disseminated intravascular coagulation, widespread vascular purpura, and bilateral adrenal hemorrhage
Neisseria meningitidis
(the shock and adrenocortical insufficiency of Waterhouse-Friedrichsen Syndrome is rapidly fatal without antibiotic treatment)
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This organism is transmitted through the bite of a domestic cat or dog and can result in an abscess, cellulitis, and osteomyelitis
Pasteurella multocida (short, encapsulated, bipolar staining organism is part of the nasopharyngeal flora of domestic dogs and cats)
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Urease-positive organism that causes an alkaline urine predisposing to the formation of urinary calculi
Proteus spp. (P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris)
(these highly motile organisms are often refractory to antibiotic treatment because they often become trapped within stones)
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Major cause of pneumonia in burn patients and Cystic fibrosis patients
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (this obligate aerobe requires only trace elements for growth and is a major cause of nosocomial infections because it colonizes aspirators, water and ice dispensers, catheters, IV lines, and even dilute disinfectant solutions)
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Infection can result in folliculitis, swimmer’s ear, pneumonia, and sepsis with the development of characteristic skin lesions (Ecthyma gangrenosum)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (the organism grows well in water, especially in inadequately chlorinated hot tubs; culture results in green colonies resulting from pigments pyoverdin and pyocyanin, with a characteristic fruity odor)
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Causes a self-limiting enterocolitis associated with the consumption of contaminated eggs and poultry
Salmonella enteritidis (this highly motile organism requires a large infectious dose, which distinguishes it from Shigella spp.)
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Causes an enteric fever with the development of characteristics “rose spots” on the abdomen
Salmonella typhi
(after recovery, a small percentage of patients may become carriers because the organisms colonize the gallbladder, a state that may require cholecystectomy)
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This organism is a common cause of nosocomial infections; some strains produce a red pigment
Serratia marcescens (causes pneumonia, bacteremia, endocarditis, and is often multidrug-resistant)
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Infection with a small dose of organisms results in dysentery that is only transmitted among humans with no animal reservoir
Shigella dysenteriae (this cause of a bloody, mucoid, low-volume diarrhea can result in life-threatening dehydration and acidosis and is often associated with insanitary conditions)
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Major cause of secretory diarrhea with life-threatening dehydration, particularly in developing nations
Vibrio cholerae (these comma-shaped rods with a polar flagellum adhere to the intestinal mucosa and elaborate an exotoxin, but never invade)
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Causes nausea, cramping, and is associated with the consumption of raw shellfish
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
although this free-living salt bacteria is related to Vibrio cholerae, the symptoms are much milder
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Rodents are the reservoir for this organism, transmitted by the bite of a flea, resulting in the plague
Yersinia pestis (transmission is also possible between humans in the case of pneumonic plague)
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Infection can result in pustules and enlargement of draining lymph nodes that rupture through the skin to form buboes
Yersinia pestis
this organism displays bipolar staining resulting in a safety pin appearance
Poorly staining
Late stages of infection may lead to a severe autoimmune arthritis, life-threatening heart block, and facial nerve palsy
Borrelia burgdorferi (the vaccine has recently become available for this organism, to prevent development of Lyme disease)
Poorly staining
Transmitted by the Ixodes tick bite that results in a characteristics bull’s eye lesion (Erythema chronicum migrans)
Borrelia burgdorferi (infection occurs mainly in the Northeast during the summer months, when the deer tick [Ixodes] is found)
Poorly staining
Transmitted by the human body louse, this organism causes Relapsing fever
Borrelia recurrentis (causes febrile disease that fades as antibodies develop and relapses as the organism undergoes antigenic variation of its variable major protein)
Poorly staining
Previously known as the TWAR agent, it is a common cause of sore throats and interstitial pneumonia
Chlamydia pneumoniae (as with all Chlamydial species, it exists as either elementary bodies, the infectious form, or as intracellular reticular bodies, the metabolically active form)
Poorly staining
Causes an interstitial type pneumonia and is associated with exposure to contaminated parrots and parakeets and other domestic birds
Chlamydia psittaci
(the causative agent of Psittacosis, transmitted by birds of the psittacine family; a similar disease, Ornithosis, is also seen upon exposure to other birds such as pigeons, ducks, and chickens)
Poorly staining
This cause of chronic keratoconjunctivitis results in corneal scarring and is the most common cause of blindness worldwide
Chlamydia trachomatis (Chlamydia trachomatic is divided into serovars based on serology and symptomatology; in this case, the pathology is due to C. trachomatis A, B, and C)
Poorly staining
This organism is the leading cause of sexually transmitted bacterial disease, resulting in urethritis, cervicitis, salpingitis, and neonatal conjunctivitis
Chlamydia trachomatis
(infection in a female can progress to pelvic inflammatory disease, resulting in the potential for ectopic pregnancy or sterility)
Poorly staining
This organism is closely associated with the development of conjunctivitis, urethritis, and arthritis (Reiter’s syndrome)
Chlamydia trachomatis (this autoimmune phenomenon resulting from cross-reactive antigens between the organism and affected tissues is associated with HLA-B27)
Poorly staining
Causes Lymphogranuloma venereum, characterized by nodules and vesicles on the genitals, venereal buboes, and elephantiasis of the genitals with rectal strictures
Chlamydia trachomatis (results from infection of the most invasive serovars L1, L2, and L3; this sexually transmitted disease progresses through primary, secondary, and tertiary stages)
Poorly staining
Causes Q fever, an interstitial pneumonia, resulting from the inhalation of the organism
Coxiella burnetii (unlike other rickettsial diseases, this organism is NOT transmitted by the bite of an arthropod, does NOT cause a rash, and CANNOT be detected by the classical serologic test for Rickettsia, the Weil-Felix test)
Poorly staining
This organism grows in warm, moist environments (contaminated air conditioner systems) and causes a potential life-threatening pneumonia in patients with lung disease
Legionella pneumophila
this organism, often visualized with Dieterle silver stain, also causes a less severe form known as Pontiac fever
Poorly staining
One of the most common opportunistic bacterial infections in AIDS patients
Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare
this disease presents similarly to TB and is acquired from soil, birds, or other animals
Poorly staining
Infection results in the destruction of skin and cartilage, resulting in a leonine facies and limb deformities
Mycobacterium leprae (leprosy, or Hansen disease, presents as a spectrum between two extremes, from tuberculoid leprosy associated with good prognosis to lepromatous leprosy, in which numerous acid-fast bacilli are stuffed in macrophages = Lepra cells)
Poorly staining
Infection results in the destruction of peripheral nerves, resulting in anesthesia followed by atrophy and autoamputation
Mycobacterium leprae (this acid-fast bacilli has a long generation time, approximately 13 days, and cannot be cultivated in the laboratory)
Poorly staining
Primary infection results in subpleural parenchymal lesions and enlarged caseous lymph nodes (Ghon complex) and reactivation can result in cavitary lesions in the upper lung lobes
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
diagnosis is confirmed by finding acid-fast bacilli in the sputum or in cultures that take several weeks to grow
Poorly staining
The classic presentation of infection with this organism includes fever, night sweats, fatigue, and weight loss
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
presents similarly to other granulomatous infections such as histoplasmosis or coccidiomycosis
Poorly staining
Infection can result in the involvement of vertebrae (Pott disease) with spread to form a psoas abscess and, in immunocompromised patients, overwhelming dissemination
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(although rare in the U.S., incidence of infections are increasing in immunocompromised patients and urban populations, with high incidence of multidrug-resistant strains)
Poorly staining
Immunization employs the use of Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG), one of the only live attenuated bacterial vaccine available
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the test for exposure to TB involves injection of a small amount of partially purified derivative [PPD] and detecting a delayed type hypersensitivity reaction; recipients of the vaccine [an attenuated strain of M. bovis] have a positive PPD)
Poorly staining
A prominent cause of community-acquired pneumonia, symptoms normally include a hacking, nonproductive cough (atypical pneumonia)
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (one of the smallest free-living bacteria, has no cell wall, and causes an interstitial inflammation rather than intra-alveolar exudates)
Poorly staining
Causes “Walking pneumonia” with the potential to develop a self-limiting hemolytic anemia
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (untreated patients develop IgM autoantibodies to red blood cells, termed acute cold agglutinins)
Poorly staining
Associated with overcrowding and transmitted by the human body louse, this organism causes Epidemic typhus
Rickettsia prowazekii (characterized by extreme fever, myalgias, and a rash; a less severe form of the disease, Endemic typhus, results from Rickettsia typhi)
Poorly staining
Transmitted by ticks, infection results in a petechial rash with involvement of the palms and soles
Rickettsia rickettsii (the causative agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an obligate intracellular organism seen with Giemsa staining; despite its name, it is endemic to the eastern U.S.)
Poorly staining
Transplacental infection can result in a triad of interstitial keratitis, Hutchinson teeth, and 8th cranial nerve deafness
Treponema pallidum (infection results in osteochondritis and periostitis and contributing as well to other defects such as destruction of the vomer, leading to a saddle nose deformity; other bone defects include mulberry molars and saber shin deformities)
Poorly staining
Long-term consequences of untreated disease include tabes dorsalis and aneurysms of the ascending aorta
Treponema pallidum (tertiary syphilis can lead to paresis and is the leading cause of aneurysms of the ascending aorta with a characteristic tree-barking appearance)
Poorly staining
The disease can manifest with a maculopapular rash on the palms and soles, and condyloma lata
Treponema pallidum
(secondary syphilis presents with a rash and gray flattened wart-like lesions on the anogenital, axillary, and oral areas; these condyloma lata are not to be confused with condyloma acuminatum seen with HPV infection)
Poorly staining
Initial infection presents with a painless ulcer on the genitals known as a chancre
Treponema pallidum (the characteristics lesion of primary syphilis is highly contagious and contains numerous spirochetes viewed by dark field light microscopy or by immunofluorescent microscopy)
Poorly staining
Patients with SLE are often positive for serologic tests for this organism even if not infected (biologic false positive)
Treponema pallidum
(screening tests like the rapid plasma reagin or Venereal Disease Research Laboratory [VDRL] are based on finding antibodies to cardiolipin, which patients with SLE make; the most specific test is the fluorescent treponemal antibody [FTA-Abs] test)
Poorly staining
The organism is exquisitely sensitive to penicillins; treatment can result in rash, fever, and hypotension (Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction)
Treponema pallidum
(treatment results in rapid death of the organism with release of toxic products that cause symptoms that can be relieved by anti-inflammatory agents)
Poorly staining
This organism that lacks a cell wall is the cause of recurrent urinary tract infections
Ureaplasma urealyticum
related to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, infection is associated with the development of urinary calculi
Produces a trivalent exotoxin composed of protective antigen, edema factor, and lethal factor
Bacillus anthracis
(protective antigen mediates cell binding, edema factor is a secreted adenylate cyclase, and lethal factor causes CNS depression)
One of the virulence factors of this organism is an anti-phagocytic capsule composed of D-glutamic acid
Bacillus anthracis (althought typically composed of polysaccharides, other organisms with unique capsular components include sialic acid in Streptococcus agalactiae and hyaluronic acid in Pasteurella multocida)
Produces a typical AB toxin that catalyzes the transfer of ADP-ribose from NAD+ to the inhibitory G protein subunit (Gi)
Bordetella pertussis (interference of G protein-coupled receptors such as those employed by chemokines results in significant lymphocytosis; other virulence factors include filamentous hemagglutinin and tracheal cytotoxin)
Produces an exotoxin that blocks the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction
Clostridium botulinum
treatment includes the use of an antitoxin produced in horses, with the possibility of serum sickness
The toxin produced by this organism can be used in minute amounts to treat dystonias, strabismus, and wrinkles
Clostridium botulinum
toxin causes a flaccid paralysis of injected muscles
Produces an AB toxin that ADP-ribosylates the small GTP binding protein Rho
Clostridium difficile
results in the depolymerization of the cytoskeleton with necrosis of the colonic epithelium
Produces a lecithinase and hyaluronidase that results in cellulitis and myonecrosis
Clostridium perfringens (the lecithinase can be demonstrated by culturing on egg yolk agar; normally the organism produces a double zone of hemolysis on blood agar)
The toxin elaborated by this organism inhibits the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitters, GABA, and glycine, resulting in a spastic paralysis
Clostridium tetani
(the DaPT vaccine includes the highly immunogenic tetanus toxoid; a booster is recommended every 10 years and also after a puncture wound)