MICR102A - Clostridium

what is the causative agent of tetanus?

clostridium tetani

what is the notable characteristic of Clostridium tetani among anaerobic spore-forming bacilli?

it is the best-known anaerobic spore-forming bacillus.

Clostridium tetani appear ___________________ in deep agar culture

fluffy, cottony spheres.

what effect does Clostridium tetani have in gelatin?

it produces a brush-like effect

true or false

Clostridium tetani ferments carbohydrates

false

true or false

Clostridium tetani is highly resistant to sporicidal agents?

true

how long does it take to kill most C. tetani spores by boiling?

15 minutes

how many serotypes does Clostridium tetani have?

nine serotypes

what are the two antigenic components of Clostridium tetani?

Glycopeptide antigen and heat-labile flagellar/somatic antigen.

where is Clostridium tetani commonly found in the environment?

- soil

- horse manure

what type of wounds favor Clostridium tetani infection?

deep, necrotic wounds with reduced oxygen.

what are the three (3) toxins produced by Clostridium tetani

1. Tetanospasmin

2. Tetanolysin

3, Peripherally active non-spasmogenic toxin.

what is the primary neurotoxin responsible for tetanus symptoms?

Tetanospasmin

tetanospasmin affect neurotransmitters by preventing _______ release, leading to continuous muscle contraction.

preventing glycine release

when tetanospasmin reaches the spinal cord it causes _____________

it causes either ascending or descending tetanus.

what is the lethal dose (LD50) of tetanospasmin in mice?

2 × 10⁻⁸ mg.

what type of tetanus is seen in horses due to nail wounds?

ascending tetanus

the two (2) types of the tetanus condition based on how the symptoms progress through the body

ascending and descending tetanus

type of tetanus where symptoms start at the jaw (lockjaw) and move upwards to the face, neck, and limbs.

ascending tetanus

type of tetanus where symptoms start at the lower limbs and move upwards toward the body and head.

descending tetanus

name two (2) animals that develop neutralizing antibodies against Clostridium tetani.

sheep and goats

what species lacks natural antitoxin against tetanus?

horses, dogs, pigs, and humans.

how long does hyperimmune serum from horses protect against tetanus?

2-3 weeks

what is the recommended vaccination schedule for tetanus toxoid?

3 doses at 3-week intervals, then annual boosters for horses.

what is the recommended treatment for tetanus?

antitoxin (100,000-200,000 units IV or intracisternal) and large doses of penicillin.

what is the causative agent of botulism?

Clostridium botulinum.

how was Clostridium botulinum first discovered?

in Belgium, from imperfectly smoked ham.

what are the three clinical forms of botulism? (3)

intoxication, wound infection, infant botulism.

what is the primary neurotoxin in botulism?

botulinum toxin.

the ______________ in botulinum toxin is a part of the toxin complex that enhances toxicity.

hemagglutinin

what are the primary modes of botulism transmission? (4)

- ingestion of contaminated food

- decaying carcasses

- fly larvae

- contaminated vegetation near water sources

botulism in foals caused by toxicoinfectious botulism.

shaker foal syndrome

botulinum toxin cause paralysis by preventing __________ release at neuromuscular junctions.

acetylcholine

the effect of botulinum toxin on poultry causes paralysis of the ___________

nictitating membrane

which species are more resistant to botulism

swine and carnivores

what is the primary diagnostic method for botulism?

- demonstration of toxin in serum

- intestinal contents

- suspected food

what are the five (5) types of Clostridium perfringens?

A, B, C, D, and E.

what enzyme does Clostridium perfringens produce that contributes to its pathogenicity?

Lecithinase (phospholipase C)

Lecithinase is also known as

phospholipase C

what disease is caused by Clostridium septicum?

malignant edema

what disease does Clostridium novyi cause in sheep?

black disease (necrotic hepatitis).

black disease is also known as?

necrotic hepatitis

what is the common name for Clostridium chauvoei infection

blackleg

what term do you call a violent fermentation reaction in litmus milk caused by Clostridium perfringens.

stormy fermentation

which Clostridium species causes a violent fermentation (stormy fermentation) reaction in litmus milk

clostridium perfringens

true or false

Clostridium tetani spores can survive boiling for an hour.

False. (most strains are killed within 15 minutes.)

true or false

Clostridium botulinum affects the central nervous system (CNS)

False. (it only affects cholinergic nerves in the peripheral nervous system.)

true or false

type A botulism primarily affects chickens.

False. (it affects humans and cattle.)

true or false

Clostridium perfringens is part of the normal intestinal flora.

true

what is the major metabolic product of all Clostridium botulinum strains?

a. butyric acid

b. acetic acid

c. lactic acid

d. propionic acid

b. acetic acid

which type of Clostridium botulinum primarily affects foals?

a. type a

b. type b

c. type c

d. type d

b. type b

which species causes ulcerative enteritis in quail?

a. clostridium colinum

b. clostridium perfringens

c. clostridium difficile

d. clostridium septicum

a. clostridium colinum