Other Gram +Ve

Question 1

Anthrax toxin

Answer 1

Exotoxin
3 parts - edema factor, lethal factor, protective Ag
Edema - inc. cAMP
Lethal - cleaves MAPK
Protective - facilitate entry

Question 2

Does bacillus anthracis have a capsule?

Answer 2

Yes

Polypeptide capsule Made of poly D-glutamate

Question 3

Staining tests for bacillus anthracis

Answer 3

1. Gram - thick, gram + rods
2. McFadyean rxn - methylene blue - blue bacilli surrounded by purple capsule
3. Ascolis thermo precipitation test

Question 4

Bacillus anthracis cultures

Answer 4

Nutrient agar - Medusa head appearance
Blood - non hemolytic
Gelatin stab agar - inverted fir tree appearance
Solid medium w/ penicillin - pearls on string

Question 5

Bacillus anthracis culture smear

Answer 5

Bamboo stick appearance

Question 6

Other names for cutaneous and pulmonary anthrax

Answer 6

Cutaneous - hide porters

Pulmonary - wool sorters

Question 7

Transmission of anthrax

Answer 7

Cutaneous - spores enter abraded skin

Pulmonary - inhalation

Question 8

C/F of cutaneous anthrax

Answer 8

Starts as painless papule surrounded by vesicle

-> black painless eschar surrounded by indurated non pitting edema

Question 9

C/F of pulmonary anthrax

Answer 9

Flu-like symptoms -> fever, pulmonary hemorrhage, mediastinitis, meningitis, shock

Question 10

Vaccines for anthrax

Answer 10

Absorbed alum ppted. Vaccine - pre and post exposure prophylaxis
Live attenuated toxoid - not used in humans