Spore Forming Bacilli

Question 1

Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 1

Bacillus anthracis
Clostridium botulinum
Clostridium perfringens
Clostridium tetani

Question 2

Bacillus anthracis Diseases
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 2

• Skin Anthrax/Skin Cutaneous Infection: Non-pus Lesions called escars leave a ring of small blisters that surround a dark center
• Pulmonary Anthrax/ Wool-sorter’s Disease/Inhalation Anthrax
• Typhoidal Anthrax/ Ingestion Anthrax

Question 3

Bacillus anthracis Characteristics
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 3

• Rod Shaped
• Endospore
• Gram-Positive: cell wall is thick; purple when stained; killed by penicillin
• Obligate Aerobic: microorganisms that can only live in the presence of oxygen, because they need oxygen to metabolize sugars
• Single or in chains
• Non-motile

Question 4

Bacillus anthracis Virulence
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 4

• Endospore
• Capsule (resists phagocytosis)
• Exotoxin

Question 5

Bacillus anthracis Portals of Entry and Exit
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 5

• Broken Skin: Direct contact with infected animal
• Respiratory Tract: Inhalation of pneumonic form
• GI Tract: Ingestion of contaminated meat

Question 6

Bacillus anthracis Modes of Transmission
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 6

• Direct: Directly handling infected animal
• Indirect: Inhalation
• Indirect: Ingestion of contaminated meat

Question 7

Clostridium botulinum Diseases
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 7

• Food-borne Botulism: flaccid paralysis, cardiac & respiratory failure, nausea, double or blurred vision
• Infant Botulism
• Wound Botulism: wounds are infected with spores

Question 8

Clostridium botulinum Characteristics
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 8

• Rod Shaped
• Endospore
• Gram-Positive: cell wall is thick; purple when stained; killed by penicillin
• Obligate Anaerobe: microbes that can only survive in an environment devoid of oxygen

Question 9

Clostridium botulinum Virulence
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 9

• Endospore
• Neurotoxin (causes Flaccid Paralysis: weakness of muscles to non-movement)

Question 10

Clostridium botulinum Portals of Entry and Exit
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 10

• Broken Skin: spores enter wounds
• GI Tract: Ingestion of contaminated meat/food

Question 11

Clostridium botulinum Modes of Transmission
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 11

• Indirect: Ingestion of contaminated meat
• Indirect: Wound contamination

Question 12

Clostridium perfringens Diseases
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 12

• Gas Gangrene/Myonecrosis: Bacteria gather in an injury or surgical wound that has no blood supply.
  The bacterial infection produces toxins that release gas and cause tissue death (antemortem)
• Tissue Gas: Postmortem form of tissue gas; can spread through instruments
• Food Poisoning

Question 13

Clostridium perfringens Characteristics
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 13

• Rod Shaped
• Endospore
• Gram-Positive: cell wall is thick; purple when stained; killed by penicillin
• Obligate Anaerobe: microbes that can only survive in an environment devoid of oxygen
• Saprophyte: organisms that survive on dead or decaying organic matter

Question 14

Clostridium perfringens Virulence
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 14

• Endospore
• Enzymes: Hyaluronidae allows bacteria into the body’s connective tissues

Question 15

Clostridium perfringens Portals of Entry and Exit
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 15

• Indirect: Fomite contamination
• Indirect: Ingestion of contaminated meat/food

Question 16

Clostridium perfringens Modes of Transmission
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 16

• Indirect: Ingestion of contaminated meat
• Indirect: Wound contamination

Question 17

Clostridium tetani Diseases
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 17

• Tetanus/Lockjaw: prevents muscle relaxation,rigid paralysis, asphyxiation (from muscle tensing)

Question 18

Clostridium tetani Characteristics
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 18

• Rod Shaped
• Endospore
• Gram-Positive: cell wall is thick; purple when stained; killed by penicillin
• Obligate Anaerobe: microbes that can only survive in an environment devoid of oxygen

Question 19

Clostridium tetani Virulence
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 19

• Endospore
• Neurotoxin (causes Rigid Paralysis)

Question 20

Clostridium tetani Portals of Entry and Exit
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 20

Broken Skin: spores enter wounds

Question 21

Clostridium tetani Modes of Transmission
Spore-Forming Bacilli

Answer 21

• Indirect: Non-Communicable
• Indirect: Broken Skin with deep puncture wounds get infected be contaminated soil