Waterborne bacterial pathogens — Flashcards

Flashcard 1: In addition to S. pneumoniae infection, meningitis in the elderly is also commonly caused by infection with gram negative rods and _____

Answer: Listeria monocytogenes

Flashcard 2: Which bacteria causes slow-onset diarrhea via the ingestion of vegetative cells (which then sporulate and produce enterotoxin in the gut)?

Answer: Clostridium perfringens

Flashcard 3: Which form of E. coli presents with a watery, 'traveler's diarrhea'?_____

Answer: Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)

Flashcard 4: What is the shape of Yersinia?_____

Answer: Rod

Flashcard 5: Does Vibrio cholerae invade the intestinal wall?_____

Answer: No

Flashcard 6: Which disease caused by Legionella pneumophila is associated with high fever and NO respiratory symptoms (pneumonia)?_____

Answer: Pontiac fever

Flashcard 7: Which form of E. coli presents with dysentery (bloody, mucousy diarrhea)?

Answer: Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC)

Extra: EIEC invades the intestinal mucosa (clinically similar to Shigella), leading to inflammation and necrosis. This presents as dysentery (fever, abdominal cramps, and blood/mucus in the stool). In contrast, Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) causes hemorrhagic colitis (bloody diarrhea) via Shiga-like toxin but does not invade the mucosa, so it typically lacks fever and mucus/leukocytes in the stool.

Flashcard 8: Yersinia pestis is _____, protecting the bacteria from phagocytosis

Answer: encapsulated

Flashcard 9: Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Answer: Rickettsia rickettsii

Extra: Clinical features: Headache, fever, and rash beginning on wrists and ankles, progressing to trunk, palms, and soles. Treatment: Doxycycline

Flashcard 10: epidemic typhus

Answer: Rickettsia prowazeckii

Extra: rash that begins centrally and spreads but spares palms and solesdoxycycline