Uncommon pathogens Flashcards
Describe the gram staining and other characteristics of Bacillus anthracis
B. anthracis is a non-motile, facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive, spore-forming bacillus (in chains)
How do humans get anthrax?
Contaminated animal products or contact with infected animals
Pathogenesis of anthrax is mediated by 2 virulence factors, namely __
Capsule
Toxin (3 parts to it)
Describe the roles of the capsule and toxin in B anthracis
Capsule is a protein capsule
Toxin has 3 parts:
Has protective antigen (polymerizes on host cell membrane and forms pore to deliver one of two factors, edema factor EF or lethal factor LF)
Edema factor: adenylyl cyclase >> increased cAMP >> fluid secretion >> edema
Lethal factor: MAPK inhibitor >> increased cytokine production >> tissue necrosis/hemorrhage/circulatory collapse (due to massive inflammatory response)
A characteristic skin feature of cutaneous anthrax is __
Black, painless, necrotic eschar (there’s also prominent surrounding edema)
**develops from entry of spores through breaks in skin
starts as small papule >> ulcer surrounded by vesicles (24-28h)**
Gastrointestinal anthrax is transmitted by __ and is characterized by GI symptoms and an __ (hint: lesion in the intestine)
Gastrointestinal anthrax is transmitted by ingestion of contaminated meat and is characterized by GI symptoms and an intestinal eschar (hint: lesion in the intestine)
*GI symptoms:fever, acute gastroenteritis, vomiting, hematemesis, bloody diarrhea*
(can progress to toxemia and death)
Inhalational anthrax results from __
The initial presentation of inhalational anthrax is characterized by __
A key feature of inhalational anthrax is __
Inhalation of spores
Initial presentation of inhalational anthrax: non specific, flu like symptoms
Later on: widened mediastinum on imaging
Terminal inhalational anthrax can progress to __ and can lead to death
Hemorrhagic mediastinitis/pleural effusion >> sepsis >> shock
Rx for anthrax
The new monoclonal antibody ___ against anthrax works against which part of the anthrax toxin?
Penicillin or Doxy
FQ (Ciprofloxacin)
or FQ + another agent
**raxibacumab (human mAb against protective antigen)
Post exposure Rx of anthrax
FQ (cipro) or Tetracycline (doxy) or Penicillin (or amoxicillin)
T/F: There is no anthrax vaccine
Falsehood. There is a vaccine: The active component is Protective antigen from filtrate of non-encapsulated strain
___ is the gram negative rod pathogen that causes Bubonic plague
Yersinia_pestis
**natural vector is rodent flea**
The pathogenesis of Y pestis is mediated by __
T3S and fibrinolysin (also capsule but that’s froma different lecture)
Key feature of bubonic plague is __
Inguinal, axillary, or cervical buboes (big, fluctuant lymph node/group of lymph nodes)
**remember the dude with the anti-flea spray in the sketchy video with the buboe in his arm pits**
Presentation of bubonic plague
Sudden onset headache, malaise, myalgia, fever, tender lymph nodes
Regional buboes
Cutaneous findings: Possible papule, vesicle, or pustule at inoculation site