MIDTERM: Aerobic Gram Positive Bacilli Flashcards
Although several of these organisms are frequently isolated in the clinical laboratory, they are typically considered contaminants or commensals (e.g., Bacillus and Corynebacterium)
Aerobic Gram Positive Bacilli
Enumerate the spore formers bacteria
Bacillus anthracis
Bacillus cereus
Enumerate the non-spore formers bacteria
Corynebacterium
Listeria
Erysipelothrix
Gardnerella
Enumerate the Branching, non-spore-formers
Nocardia
Aerobic actenomycetes
This is also a part of the non spore formers bacteria and is formerly known as Corynebacterium equi which is an opportunistic pathogen that affects immunocompromised patients
Rhodococcus equi
Members of the genus Bacillus can be confused with
aerotolerant strains of the other primary endospore-forming genus, _______ as they are both gram positive
Clostridium
______ Is aerobic or facultative anaerobic while ______ is anaerobic
Bacillus spp., Clostridium, respectively
Enumerate at least two general characteristics of a Bacillus
- Gram positive
- Aerobic or facultative anaerobic bacilli
- Endospores
- Catalase positive
________ form endospores aerobically and anaerobically, whereas _________ form endospores anaerobically only
Bacillus
spp., Clostridium spp., respectively
What are the two groups of Bacillus spp.?
Bacillus anthracis &
Bacillus cereus
Bacillus spp. are divided into groups based on?
genetic identity and morphologic features
The causative agent of anthrax
Bacillus anthracis
Primarily a disease of wild and domestic animals including sheep, goats, horses, and cattle.
Anthrax
Humans acquire infections (anthrax) when inoculated with
endospores, either by traumatic introduction, injection, ingestion, or inhalation during exposure to contaminated animal products, such as hides
Enumerate the types of Anthrax
- Cutaneous Anthrax
- Gastrointestinal/Ingestion Anthrax
- Inhalation Anthrax (wool sorter’s disease)
- Injectional Anthrax
Accounts for most human infections and is associated with contact with infected animal products.
Cutaneous Anthrax
Infection results from close contact and inoculation of endospores through a break in the skin
Cutaneous Anthrax
This infection is typically effectively treated with antibiotics.
Cutaneous Anthrax
The typical presentation of the ulceration in cutaneous anthrax is a black, necrotic lesion known a
eschar
Incubation period of cutaneous anthrax
approximately 2 to 6 days
Mortality rate for untreated cutaneous anthrax
low, at approximately 1%
Fatalities may occur in cutaneous anthrax when the lesions form on
face or neck
These causes an obstructed airway after edema or progression to systemic disease
Face and neck lesions (Cutaneous anthrax)
Results from ingestion of endospores and presents in two forms: oral/oro-pharyngeal anthrax and gastrointestinal anthrax
Gastrointestinal/ Ingestion Anthrax