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Flashcards in Clostridium Flashcards 1 Deck (23)
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1
Q

What is clostridiums oxygen requirement?

A

Strictly aerobic

2
Q

Is clostridium gram +/-?

A

Gram positive

3
Q

Does clostridium produce endospores?

A

Yes

4
Q

What is clostridiums method for producing disease symptoms?

A

Production of endotoxins. SOME also have tissue invasiveness

5
Q

What disease is related to Clostridium difficile?

A

Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) - Yellow plaques containing fibrin and cellular debris in ulcers of colonic mucosa.

6
Q

What is the leading cause of nosocomial (hospital aquired) diarrhea?

A

Pseudomembranous colitis

7
Q

What causes Clostridium difficile spores to become active?

A

Use of braod spectrum antibiotics which removes competing bacteria for GI tract.

8
Q

What is Toxin A in Clostridium difficile?

A

Enterotoxin - fluid production and damage to the mucosa

9
Q

What is Toxin B in Clostridium difficile?

A

Cytotoxin - Rounding of tissue culture cells (leads to death)

10
Q

What is the major pathogen of wound infection?

A

Clostridium perfringens

11
Q

Does Clostridium perfingens have invasive properties?

A

Absolutely

12
Q

What conditions are necessary for Clostridium perfringens spores to germinate?

A

Anaerobic, compromised blood supply, calcium ions, availability of peptides and amino acids

13
Q

What is the major toxin associated with Clostridium perfringens? What does it cause?

A

Alpha-toxin (lecithinase) - causes gas gangrene

14
Q

Will antibiotics cure a Clostridium perfingens infection?

A

It can get rid of the bacteria BUT THE TOXIN REMAINS!!!

15
Q

What toxin does Clostridium perfiringens produce that causes food poisoning?

A

Enterotoxin

16
Q

Why is Clostridium botulinum so hard to prevent?

A

Heat-resistant spores which can survive food processing

17
Q

Why is Clostridium botlinum such a serious infection?

A

Produce nine neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes A-G. A, B, E (fish) are most common that are among the most poisonous substance known to humans.

18
Q

What does BoNT do?

A

Prevents release of acetylcholine neurotransmitter (by cleaving proteins involved in docking of neurotransmitter vesicles) resulting in FLACCID PARALYSIS

19
Q

What treatment is available for Clostridium botulinum infection?

A

Trivalent antitoxin isolated from horses does exist but can result in hypersensitivity problems

20
Q

What is the most common mode of Clostridium tetani infection?

A

Traumatic wounds (Neonatal contamination of umbilical cord)

21
Q

What is the major toxin of Clostridium tetani?

A

Tetanospasmin - only toxin. responsible for all symptoms.

22
Q

What does tetanospasmin do?

A
  1. Inhibits neurotransmitter release acid and normal inhibitory input resulting in REFLEX SPASMS / SPASTIC PARALYSIS.
  2. Eventually leads to lockjaw and eventually to respiratory failure.
23
Q

What treatment is available for Clostridium tetani?

A
  1. Completely preventable with DPT vaccine.
  2. Antitoxin and penicillin G should be administered - can prevent further paralysis.
  3. Surgical debridement of the wound - prevents further bacterial growth