Upgrade to remove ads
Only $35.99/year

Clostridium - https://www.sciencewithsusanna.com/clostridium

Terms in this set (16)

Name the 4 main clinically significant species of the Clostridium genera
*C. diff
*C.tetani
*C.botulinum
*C.perfringens
Clostridium metabolic characteristics
obligate anaerobe
obligate anaerobe definition
organism that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen. Clostridium is a very good example. #2 test tube in this picture - see how the bacteria grows as far away from the source of oxygen as possible
Pathogenesis of Clostridium tetani
Toxin blocks the neurons that normally inhibit contraction.
Therefore, there is TOO much contraction.
Notably affects the jaw muscles - "lockjaw"
Clostridium tetani mode of transmission
reservoir - soil
endospores may enter the tissues through puncture wounds; in babies, the soil endospores may enter through the cut umbilical cord after birth
DTaP vaccine
Vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
Protein fragments of the tetanus toxin are included - the body then develops antibodies to tetanus toxin through adaptive immunity.
Pathogenesis of Clostridium botulinum
Toxin blocks the release of ACh at the neuromuscular junction, leading to paralysis.
Notably, paralysis of the diaphragm can lead to asphyxiation.
Clostridium botulinum mode of transmission
reservoir - soil
The neurotoxin is only produced under anaerobic conditions. The toxin, if present in improperly canned food, can cause the disease. Babies may ingest endospores that can germinate inside them (because their immune system is not strong yet - this wouldn't happen to an adult), and this bacteria can also cause a wound infection.
Clostridia as normal flora
Multiple species of Clostridia are normal and permanent residents of the human colon.
Bacteria Phylum of Clostridia
Firmicutes - this is good to know when you read about normal flora of the gut. It may show up on gut microbiome sequencing tests such as Viome (which I have done!)
Clostridium difficile key toxins
Enterotoxin A: can cause water loss and diarrhea
Cytotoxin B: can directly damage intestinal cells
Treatment for C.diff
Abx: Metronidazole
If that fails and/or recurrence, Vancomycin is often used

Soluble Fiber Supplementation (heather's tummy fiber, for example) - may support the growth of normal flora to reestablish normal flora

Fecal Transplants - up to 95% effective, though not without risks. They work by establishing normal flora and correcting dysbiosis.
Pseudomembranous colitis
caused by Clostridium difficile

Is a serious form of the infection
Risk factors for C.diff
*broad-spectrum antibiotic use, especially -clindamycin
-fluoroquinolones (e.g. Cipro)
Mode of transmission for Clostridium difficile
Endospores, usually from hospitals or medical facilities (equipment not fully sterilized, sheets, curtains, counters, etc.)

Endospores that exist within the patient already that germinate when normal competing flora is wiped out. This would likely be the source of recurrent infections.
Clostridium perfringens
Toxins can cause gangrene
-dissolve connective tissue
-damage muscle cells

Enterotoxin is only produced at sporulation
-causes food poisoning
Sets found in the same folder