Gram Positive Rods

Front 1

List the identifying characteristics of Bacillus antracis

Back 1

Spore forming gram positive (box car shaped bacilli) that are nonhemolytic, PCN susceptible, not motile and have a capsule

This is opposite all of the other bacillus spp

Front 2

Name the three forms on infection by Bacillus antracis

Back 2

Cutaneous - papule, ulcer, black necrotic eschar
GI - ulcers in mouth/esophagus, cause bloody diarrhea
Inhalation (wool sorters dz) - Initially Fever, SOB, cough followed by edema and *enlargement of mediastinal lymph nodes* followed by meningeal Sx and finally shock and death

Front 3

Describe the identifying characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes

Back 3

Gram positive rods (similar to group B strep) that are beta-hemolytic, catalase + and exhibit tumbling motility at room temp

Front 4

Name the virulence factors of L. monocytogenes

Back 4

invade epithelial cells, M cells and macs via the internalin protein which allows it to move from cell to cell using host cell actin via the ActA gene.

Front 5

How are people most commonly infected with Listeria monocytogenes?

Back 5

soft cheeses, veggies, cold cuts, read to eat and raw foods

Front 6

Who does Listeria monocytogenes infect and describe the Dz caused

Back 6

Neonates: Early (causes abscesses and still birth). Late (causes meningitis with septicemia).
Elderly: influenza like illness
Pregnant or immunocompromised people: primary bacteremia or disseminated Dz with hypotension and meningitis

Front 7

Describe the identifying characteristics of Erysipelothrix rhuslopathiae

Back 7

Erysipelothrix rhuslupathiae forms gram-positive long hair-like filaments that are alpha hemolytic. They produce H2S on triple sugar iron agar (TSI)

Front 8

Who gets infected with Erysipelothrix rhuslopathiae?

Back 8

Butchers, farmers, fish handlers and veterinarians

Front 9

How does infection with Erysipelothrix rhuslopathiae present?

Back 9

Erysielpoid - localized skin infections that slowly spreads peripherally. There is no suppuration (unlike strep)

Front 10

List the identifying characteristics of Corynebacterium diptheriae

Back 10

Clumps of gram positive rods resembling chinese letters. It forms small white nonhemolytic colonies

"It's corny to describe Corynebacterium diptheriae as chinese letters."

Front 11

How does Corynebacterium diptheriae become toxic?

Back 11

With infection by the bacteriophage that encodes for Exotoxin (A shuts off protein synthesis and B binds cell receptors)

Front 12

How does infection with Corynebacterium diptheriae present?

Back 12

Pharyngitis with patchy exudates on tonsil, uvula, soft palate.... tough gray pseudomembrane "leathery skin"
It can lead to respiratory obstruction and suffocation

Front 13

List the identifying characteristics of Arcanobacterium hemolyticum

Back 13

gram positive rod, club shaped, beta-hemolytic

Front 14

Describe the clinical presentation of arcanobacterium hemolyticum

Back 14

symptomatic pharyngitis, fever, cutaneous rash

Front 15

Describe the clinical presentation of Nocardia spp

Back 15

bronchopulmonary dz, secondary CNS infection (brain abscesses) infections are treated with sulfonamides

Front 16

List the identifying characteristics of Nocardia spp

Back 16

gram positive, partially/modified acid fast, beaded appearance with flat, white, dry looking colonies... you know what this looks like

Front 17

Explain why patients with defects in cellular immunity are particularly susceptible to infections with Listeria monocytogenes

Back 17

Listeria monocytogenes is an INTRACELLULAR ORGANISM -- it moves from cell to cell by hijacking Actin gene and
avoids exposure to humoral immune system, thus CELLULAR IMMUNE MECHS are critical for clearance.

Front 18

Name two aerobic Gram-positive rods that can cause food poisoning.

Back 18

Bacillus cereus and Listeria monocytogenes