Sessions 7 and 8 - Bacillus Gram-positive bacterial infections (1)

Bacillus

A genus of large, aerobic, endospore-forming, motile Gram-positive rods.

Bacillus anthracis

The causative agent of anthrax, characterized as encapsulated, large, box-car shaped, and nonmotile.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

A non-spore forming, facultatively anaerobic Gram-positive rod known to cause diphtheria.

Listeria monocytogenes

A facultatively anaerobic, motile, Gram-positive bacillus that can cause listeriosis, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Clostridium

A genus of Gram-positive, spore-forming rods that are obligately anaerobic and known for causing various types of infections.

Exotoxins

Toxins secreted by bacteria that can cause damage to the host by disrupting normal cellular processes.

Virulence factor

A trait of a microbe that contributes to its ability to cause disease.

Endospore

A resistant dormant structure formed by some bacteria, which can survive extreme conditions.

Transmission

The process by which an infectious agent is spread from one host or medium to another.

Anthrax

A serious infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, often affecting livestock and can be transmitted to humans.

Tetanus

A serious bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani, characterized by painful muscle spasms.

Pseudomembranous colitis

A colitis associated with antibiotic use, primarily caused by Clostridium difficile, marked by the presence of a pseudomembrane in the colon.

Gastroenteritis

Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, often due to infection, leading to symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting.

Lethal factor (LF)

A component of anthrax toxin that stimulates macrophages to release tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, inhibiting host's innate immunity.

Protective antigen (PA)

A component of anthrax toxin that binds to receptors on host cells and facilitates the entry of other toxin components.

Edema factor (EF)

A component of anthrax toxin that increases intracellular cAMP, leading to edema.

Clostridial myonecrosis

A severe tissue infection caused by Clostridium species, often resulting in rapid muscle destruction and high mortality.

Botulism

A condition caused by botulinum toxin, leading to muscle paralysis and potentially respiratory failure.

Diphtheria toxin

The toxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, responsible for the symptoms of diphtheria by inhibiting protein synthesis.

Listeriosis

An infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, typically affecting pregnant women, newborns, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Food poisoning

Illness caused by consumption of contaminated food, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Incubation period

The time period between exposure to an infectious agent and the onset of symptoms.

Facultative anaerobe

A microorganism that can grow in both the presence and absence of oxygen.

Catalase positive

A property of certain bacteria that produce the enzyme catalase, allowing them to break down hydrogen peroxide.

Pseudomembrane

A membrane-like structure formed in diphtheria due to necrotic tissue death, characterized by a grayish appearance.

Hemolysis

The breakdown of red blood cells, often assessed in microbiological cultures.