Virulence factors Flashcards
endotoxin
component G- bacterial cell wall
released when bacterial cell die
LPS (or LOS)
Lipid A
Portion of LPS.
highly conserved endotoxin forming outer leaflet of outer membrane.
TOXIC!
if cell can’t make lipid A, can’t survive
O-Antigen
antigenic portion of LPS. Non-toxic.
adhesion to host lectins
G- immune response
Lysis of G- bacteria –> LPS –> Lipid A binds to CD14 and TLR4 on macrophage –> cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNFalpha, PAF)
G+ immune response
Lysis of G+ bacteria –> Peptidoglycan fragments & Lipotechoic acid –> binds to TLR2 and TLR6 on macrophage –> activates transcription –> cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNFalpha, PAF)
pyrogen free
free of LPS endotoxin (lipid A)
How do you vizualize a bacterial capsule?
Quellung Reaction
or
Fluorescent antibodies
What is the Quellung reaction?
antibodies bind to the bacterial capsule
The antibody rxn allows these species to be seen under microscope.
If reaction is positive, the capsule becomes opaque and appears to enlarge.
ex:
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella.
how do capsules block phagocyte receptor binding? (3 ways)
1) negative charge (acidic) capsules repel phagocyte
2) cover components of baterial cell surface recognizable to phagocyte receptor
3) reduce complement activity –> sialic acid
what is sialic acid?
component of some bacterial capsules. It binds factor H & chews up complement so complement can’t destroy bacteria.
It is NOT antigenic
exotoxin
protein secreted by bacterial cell –> disease symptoms
superantigen
binds MHCII & TCR w/o antigen present (non-specific T cell activation). It is a type of exotoxin.
What are three examples of superantigen exotoxins?
1) staphylococcal enterotoxins
2) TSS toxin
3) streptococcal pyrogenic toxins
what is quorum sensing?
in biofilms, bacteria secrete “autoinducer” which activates transcriptional regulators when reaches sufficient concentration.
ex: G- bacteria grow together.
@low density –> QS can’t bind
@high –> QS signal-receptor complex forms
staph aureus’s exotoxin virulence factor?
alpha-toxin (exotoxin)
pore-forming toxin. Alpha-toxin inserts into membrane, oligomerizes and forms pores which leads to cell lysis
What bacteria and exotoxin lead to gas gangrene?
Claustridium perfringens
alpha toxin = PLC enzyme
it degrades cell membrane which leads to lysis of cell. This leads to decrease in muscle blood flow which leads to occlusive plugs and results in low oxygen environment which is favorable for bacteria.
Diptheria Toxin
Intracellular exotoxin
B binds cell membrane, A breaks off and inactivates (ADP-ribosylates) elF2 which is necessary for protein synthesis inside of cells.
What bacterium has same MOA as diptheria exotoxin?
Corynebacterium Diptheria
Vibrio cholerae toxin
toxin permanently activates Gs which INCREASES cAMP –> CFTR channel continually activated –> Diarrhea