Microreview14(Bacillus Anthracis)

Front 1

Name three pathologic manifestations of B anthracis.

Back 1

1. Cutaneous anthrax by contact with animal products contaminated with spores.

Front 2

Name the three virulence factors of B. anthracis and describe their mechanisms of action.

Back 2

Capsule is antiphagocytic. Edema factor exotoxin is a calmodulin dependent adenylate cyclase that increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) causing severe edema.
Lethal factor exotoxin is a protease, causing cells to increase TNF production leading to cell death.

Front 3

What are the clinical symptoms of cutaneous anthrax?

Back 3

Black painless papules and pustules erupt on skin surfaqce, spreading to lymphnodes and blood, resulting in sepsis. Mortality rate is 20% if untreated.

Front 4

What are the clinical symptoms of pulmonary anthrax?

Back 4

First stage(2-3days) consists of influenza like symptoms such as dry cough, fever and aches.
Second stage, given by difficulty breathing, substernal pressure due to bloody pleural effusion and sepsis.
Chest X ray shows widening of the mediastinum. Mortality is 100% if untreated.

Front 5

What are the clinical symptoms of GI anthrax?

Back 5

Bloody, vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal pain ,fever. Mortality is 25-60%.

Front 6

How is anthrax usually treated?

Back 6

Penicillin, tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones.