Gram Positive and Negative Bacilli

These flashcards cover the key concepts and critical information about gram-positive and gram-negative bacilli, including their characteristics, diseases they cause, and treatment options.

Bacillus anthracis

Causative agent of anthrax, known for its unique protein capsule and ability to form spores.

Exotoxin

Toxins released by bacteria, specifically potent in Bacillus anthracis.

Clostridium botulinum

Bacterium causing botulism, characterized by a lethal neurotoxin that leads to muscle paralysis.

Tetanospasmin

Exotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani, causing sustained contraction of skeletal muscles.

Clostridium difficile

Causes antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis, often following the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Psychrophile

An organism, such as Listeria monocytogenes, that thrives at low temperatures, including refrigeration.

H-antigen

Flagellar sub-unit present only in motile bacteria used for classification.

E. coli

Most numerous bacteria of normal gut flora, can be pathogenic, responsible for urinary tract infections and gastroenteritis.

Salmonella enterica

Species causing enterocolitis and typhoid fever, found primarily in animal reservoirs.

Vibrio cholerae

Bacterium that causes cholera, characterized by profuse watery diarrhea due to its enterotoxin.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Opportunistic pathogen known for antibiotic resistance, prevalent in moist environments.

Legionella pneumophila

Causes Legionnaires' disease, an opportunistic pathogen often found in water systems.

Clostridium perfringens

Causes gas gangrene, associated with necrotic tissue and severe localized infections.

Listeria monocytogenes

Causative agent of listeriosis, primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals, found in contaminated food.

Corynebacterium diptheriae

Causative agent of diphtheria, characterized by heart and neural cell damage from its exotoxin.

Campylobacter

Major cause of human enteritis, found in birds and domestic animals; symptoms include bloody diarrhea.

Bordetella pertussis

Causes whooping cough, characterized by a violent cough and several virulence factors.

Clostridium tetani

Causative agent of tetanus, leading to severe muscle spasms and generally requiring a booster vaccination.