Bacillus anthracis

Question 1

General Properties

Answer 1

Aerobic
Spore forming rod
Gram + rod

Question 2

Sources

Answer 2

ubiquitous, found in soil
Also from deceased animals, hides or wools.

Question 3

Transmission

Answer 3

Ingestion or inhalation of spores
Biting flies as vector
Inoculation of spores on broken skin (most natural infection pathway)
Bioweapon of inhalation spores

Question 4

Diseases

Answer 4

Anthrax
Cutaneous - Necrotic black eschar (20% mortality without abx)
GI- N/V/D, fever, hematemesis (25-75% mortality without abx)
Inhalation- Infected lungs, cough, chest pain , fever, hemorrhagic necrosis (80% mortality rate without abx)

Question 5

Virulence Factor- Protective antigen

Answer 5

Binds to host cell enabling other parts of toxin to enter cell

Question 6

Prevention

Answer 6

Vaccine available for the military

Question 7

Virulence Factor- Edema toxin

Answer 7

Increased cAMP causes tissue edema

Question 8

Virulence Factor- Lethal factor

Answer 8

Promotes cytokine secretion and inflammation
induces apoptosis