Exam 4 (Micro) pt.3

Gram-positive bacilli

A group of bacteria characterized by rod shape and a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell walls.

Endospore Formers

Bacteria that can survive extreme conditions by forming endospores, including genera Bacillus and Clostridium.

Bacillus

A genus of endospore-forming bacteria that are primarily aerobic or facultative anaerobes.

Bacillus anthracis

Causative agent of anthrax, which can manifest in three forms: cutaneous, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal.

Cutaneous Anthrax

The least lethal form of anthrax contracted through direct contact with contaminated products, causing a black sore.

Pulmonary Anthrax

Most lethal form of anthrax caused by inhalation of spores leading to severe respiratory distress.

Gastrointestinal Anthrax

A less common form of anthrax resulting from ingestion of contaminated meat.

Bacillus cereus

Bacterium causing foodborne illness through improperly stored food, leading to nausea and diarrhea.

Non-Endospore Formers

Bacteria that do not produce endospores, subdivided into regular and irregular shaped bacilli.

Clostridium

A genus of obligate anaerobes that do not survive in oxygen-rich environments.

Clostridium perfringens

Associated with gas gangrene; it causes severe tissue infections in anoxic conditions.

Gas Gangrene

Severe tissue infection caused by Clostridium perfringens, characterized by pain, swelling, and gas production.

Clostridium difficile (C. diff)

Pathogen responsible for antibiotic-associated diarrhea, especially in hospitals.

Clostridium tetani

Bacterium that produces a neurotoxin causing muscle paralysis and leading to tetanus.

Tetanus

A severe condition caused by Clostridium tetani that results in muscle spasms and rigidity.

Clostridium botulinum

Bacterium that causes botulism, a serious illness from improperly preserved foods leading to paralysis.

Botulism

Condition caused by botulinum toxin that results in muscle relaxation and paralysis.

Infant Botulism

Occurs when infants ingest spores that lead to toxin production and flaccid paralysis.

Wound Botulism

Form of botulism resulting from spores entering wounds.

Foodborne Botulism

Botulism resulting from consuming improperly preserved foods.

Listeria monocytogenes

Bacterium known for its resistance to environmental stresses, posing a threat in food safety.

Diphtheria

Infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, leading to inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Bacterium responsible for diphtheria, characterized by pseudomembrane formation in the throat.

Mycobacteria

Acid-fast bacilli that grow slowly and resist typical staining processes, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Causative agent of tuberculosis, which can manifest in active or latent forms.

Primary TB

The initial phase of tuberculosis infection, often asymptomatic.

Secondary TB

Reactivation of tuberculosis that can occur after the initial infection.

Extrapulmonary TB

Tuberculosis that spreads beyond the lungs to other organ systems.

Antibiotic resistance

The ability of bacteria to withstand the effects of drugs that once killed them or inhibited their growth.

Healthcare-associated infections

Infections that patients can acquire during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions.

Antitoxins

Therapeutic substances used to neutralize toxins, often employed in treatment of diphtheria.

Hydrolytic enzymes

Enzymes that help bacteria degrade complex macromolecules for nutrient absorption.

Vaccination

Administration of a vaccine to stimulate an immune response and provide immunity against diseases.

Intracellular growth

Ability of a pathogen to replicate and survive within the host's cells, complicating diagnosis and treatment.

Environmental resistance

The ability of some bacteria to survive harsh conditions, such as extreme pH or temperature.

Fecal-oral transmission

A route for pathogen spread where pathogens are present in feces and can be ingested by other hosts.

Pseudomembrane

A membrane-like structure formed in diphtheria, which can obstruct the airway.

Severe tissue necrosis

Severe death of tissue often requiring surgical intervention, commonly seen in gas gangrene.

Isolation of pathogens

The process of separating bacteria from samples to identify infectious agents.

Penicillin

An antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections, including some forms of anthrax.

Tetracycline

An antibiotic effective against a variety of bacterial infections, including some anthrax cases.

Respiratory support

Assistance in maintaining adequate breathing function, often needed in severe cases of botulism.

Nutrient degradation

The breakdown of nutrient sources by bacteria through enzymatic processes.

Pathogenic mechanisms

Strategies used by pathogens to cause disease, such as toxin production and immune evasion.

Boiling water treatment

A method often mentioned for sterilizing food to prevent bacterial contamination.

Contaminated food products

Food items that have been infected with harmful microorganisms, posing health risks.

High-risk individuals

Persons more susceptible to certain diseases due to factors such as occupation or immunocompromised status.

Severe respiratory distress

A critical condition that can result from pulmonary anthrax, requiring immediate medical intervention.

Symptoms of botulism

Initial signs include blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, and respiratory failure.

Public health measures

Steps taken to protect community health, including vaccinations and sanitation.

Surveillance programs

Monitoring systems that assess the incidence of infectious diseases within a population.

Infection control protocols

Measures implemented in healthcare settings to reduce the transmission of infections.