Microbio: GI Tract Infections - Bacterial Infections

What is the pathogen for Bacillus Cereus Infection

Bacillus Cereus

What are symptoms of Bacillus Cereus Infection

Nausea, pain, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, or vomiting

How is Bacillus Cereus Infection transmitted

Ingestion of contaminated rice or meat, even after cooking

How is Bacillus Cereus Infection tested for

Testing stool sample, vomitus, or uneaten food for presence of bacteria

How is Bacillus Cereus Infection treated

None

What is the pathogen for Campylobacter jejuni gastroenteritis

Campylobacter jejuni

What are symptoms of Campylobacter jejuni gastroenteritis

Fever, diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, and sometimes dysentery; sometimes more severe organ or autoimmune effects

How is Campylobacter jejuni gastroenteritis transmitted

Ingestion of unpasteurized milk, under-cooked chicken, or contaminated water

How is Campylobacter jejuni gastroenteritis tested for

Culture on selective medium with elevated temperature and low oxygen concentration

How is Campylobacter jejuni gastroenteritis treated

Generally, none; erythromycin or ciprofloxacin if necessary

What is the pathogen for cholera

Vibrio Cholerae

What are symptoms of cholera

Severe diarrhea and fluid loss, potentially leading to shock, renal failure, and death

How is cholera transmitted

Ingestion of contaminated water or food

How is cholera tested for

Culture on selective medium (TCBS agar); distinguished as oxidase positive with fermentative metabolisms

How is cholera treated

Generally none; tetracylines, azithromycin, others if necessary

What is the pathogen for Clostridium difficile infection

Clostridium difficile

What are symptoms of Clostridium difficile infection

Pseudomembranous colitis, watery diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dehydration; in severe cases, perforation of of the colon, septicemia, shock, and death

How is Clostridium difficile infection transmitted

Overgrowth of C. difficile in the normal microbiota due to antibiotic use; hospital-acquired infections in immunocompromised patients

How is Clostridium difficile infection tested for

Detection of toxin in stool, nucleic acid amplification tests (e.g., PCR)

How is Clostridium difficile infection treated

Discontinuation of previous antibiotic treatment; metronidazole or vancomycin

What is the pathogen Clostridium perfringens gastroenteritis

Clostridium perfringens (especially type A)

What are symptoms of Clostridium perfringens gastroenteritis

Mild cramps and diarrhea in most cases; in rare cases, hemorrhaging, vomiting, intestinal gangrene, and death

How is Clostridium perfringens gastroenteritis transmitted

Ingestion of undercooked meats containing C. perfringens endospores

How is Clostridium perfringens gastroenteritis tested for

Detection of toxin or bacteria in stool or uneaten food

How is Clostridium perfringens gastroenteritis treated

None

What is the pathogen for E. Coli Infection

ETEC, EPEC, EIEC, EHEC

What are the symptoms of E. Coli Infection

Watery diarrhea, dysentery, cramps, malaise, fever, chills, dehydration; in EHEC, possible severe complications such as hematolytic uremic syndrome

How is E. Coli Infection transmitted

Ingestion of contaminated food or water

How is E. Coli Infection tested for

Tissue culture, immunochemical assays, PCR, gene probes

How is E. Coli Infection treated

Not recommended for EIEC and EHEC; fluoroquinolones, doxycycline, rifaximin, and TMP/SMZ possible for ETEC and EPEC

What is the pathogen for Peptic Ulcers

Helicobacter Pylori

What are symptoms of Peptic Ulcers

Nausea, bloating, burping, lack of appetite, weight loss, perforation of stomach, blood in stools

How is Peptic Ulcers transmitted

Normal flora, can also be acquired via saliva; fecal-oral route via contaminated food and water

How is Peptic Ulcers tested for

Breath test, detection of antibodies in blood, detection of bacteria in stool sample or stomach biopsy

How is Peptic Ulcers treated

Amoxicillin, clarithromycin, mentronidazole, tetracyline, lansoprazole; antacids may also be given in combination with antibiotics

What is the pathogen for Salmonellosis

Salmonella enterica, serotype Enteritides

What are symptoms of Salmonellosis

Fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, headache, diarrhea; can be fatal in infants

How is Salmonellosis transmitted

Ingestion of contaminated food, handling of eggshells or contaminated animals

How is Salmonellosis tested for

Culturing, serotyping, and DNA fingerprinting

How is Salmonellosis treated

Not generally recommended; fluoroquinolones, ampicillin, others for immunocompromised patients

What is the pathogen for Shigella dysentery

Shigella dysenteriae, S. flexneri, S. boydii, and S. sonnei

What are symptoms of Shigella dysentery

Abdominal cramps, fever, diarrhea, dysentery; possible complications: reactive arthritis and hemolytic uremic syndrome

How is Shigella dysentery transmitted

Fecal-oral route via contaminated food and water

How is Shigella dysentery tested for

Testing of stool samples for the presence of blood and leukocytes; culturing, PCR, immunoassay for S. dysenteriae

How is Shigella dysentery treated

Ciprofloxacin, azithromycin

What is the pathogen for Staphylococcal food poisoning

Staphylococcus aureus

What are symptoms of Staphylococcal food poisoning

Rapid-onset nausea, diarrhea, vomiting lasting 24-48 hrs; possible dehydration and change in blood pressure and heart rate

How is Staphylococcal food poisoning transmitted

Ingestion of raw or undercooked meat or dairy products contaminated with staphylococcal enterotoxins

How is Staphylococcal food poisoning tested for

ELISA to detect enterotoxins in uneaten food, stool, or vomitus

How is Staphylococcal food poisoning treated

None

What is the pathogen for Typhoid fever

S. entrica, subtypes Typhi or Paratyphi

What are symptoms of Typhoid fever

Aches, headaches, nausea, lethargy, diarrhea or constipation, possible rash; lethal perforation of intestine can occur

How is Typhoid fever transmitted

Fecal-oral route; may be spread by asymptomatic carriers

How is Typhoid fever tested for

Culture of blood, stool, or bone marrow, serologic tests; PCR tests when available

How is Typhoid fever treated

Fluoroquinolones, ceftriaxone, azithromycin; preventative vaccine available

What is the pathogen for Yersinia Infection

Yersinia Enterocolitiica, Y. pseudotuberculosis

What are symptoms of Yersinia Infection

Mild diarrhea and abdominal cramps; in some cases, bacteremia can occur, leading to severe complications

How is Yersinia Infection transmitted

Fecal-oral route, typically via contaminated food or water

How is Yersinia Infection tested for

Testing stool samples, tissues, body fluids

How is Yersinia Infection treated

Generally none; fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, others for systemic infections