Bacteria — Flashcards

Flashcard 31: floppy baby syndrome

Answer: Clostridium botulinum; ingestion of spores in food, classically honey

Extra: flaccid paralysis in infant

Flashcard 32: Causative agent and primary mechanism of adult foodborne botulism:

Answer: Clostridium botulinum; ingestion of pre-formed botulinum toxin

Extra: Associated with flaccid paralysis (descending paralysis).

Flashcard 33: What is the causative agent of tetanus?

Answer: Clostridium tetani::causative agent

Extra: Tetanospasmin toxin causes spastic paralysis by blocking the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters (GABA and Glycine) from Renshaw cells. Key clinical signs include trismus (lockjaw) and risus sardonicus.

Flashcard 34: What do Bacillus cereus, Clostridium botulinum, and Coxiella burnetti have in common?

Answer: capable of forming spores

Flashcard 35: Bacterial spores are very hardy and resist sterilization by _____ and _____. Instead, they must be _____.

Answer: heat

Flashcard 36: On blood agar α-hemolysis is _____ and _____ a green ring; β-hemolysis is _____ and forms a _____ ring.

Answer: incomplete

Flashcard 37: What bacteria is most associated with CF pneumonia and burn infections?

Answer: Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Flashcard 38: What is the causative agent of Pontiac fever?

Answer: Legionella pneumophila (Serotypes 1 & 6) :: causative agent

Extra: Pontiac fever is a mild, self-limiting, flu-like illness caused by Legionella species. Unlike Legionnaires' disease, it does NOT present with pneumonia. Symptoms include fever, chills, and malaise. Self-resolves in 2-5 days without antibiotics.

Flashcard 39: What are the key characteristics, culture requirements, and clinical findings of Haemophilus influenzae?

Answer: Gram-negative coccobacilli; requires Factor X (hematin) and V (NAD+) for growth.

Extra: Culture: Chocolate agar. Clinical: Meningitis, Epiglottitis, Otitis media, Pneumonia. Treatment: Ceftriaxone (mucosal/systemic), Rifampin (prophylaxis for close contacts).

Flashcard 40: How is N. meningitidis transmitted?

Answer: respiratory and oral secretions