Bacillus Anthracis (zoonotic organism)

Question 1

morphology

Answer 1

capsulated gram postive box car like rods arranged in chains, non motile; capsulated

Question 2

origin

Answer 2

disease of animals that feed of plants

Question 3

transmission

Answer 3

inhalation of spores, ingestion of spores or inoculation of spores through exposed skin to soil or affected animals

Question 4

virulence

Answer 4

Anthrax capsule- polypeptide capsule COMPOSED OF D-glutamate (not a polysaccharide capsule); antiphagocystic abilities

Anthrax toxin- edema toxin and lethal toxin (100% mortality rate if not treated)

3 AB toxins: EF-edema factor
LF-lethal factor

PA protective antigen binding portion

Question 5

clinical presentation

Answer 5

cutaneous anthrax (1-7 days following exposure) shows necrotic eschar and edema

inhalation anthrax - fever, cough and chest pain

Gi anthrax- lymphadenopathy, edema, ulcerative lesions

Question 6

Which cells do spores attack

Answer 6

alveolar macrophages

Question 7

Lab Stain

Answer 7

Mac Fadyean stain demonstrates capsule(glutamic acid)

Question 8

Lab Culture

Answer 8

blood agar showcases rough ground glass colonies/medusa head colonies

Question 9

When was this used a bioweapon

Answer 9

USA 2001 wool sorters

Question 10

treatment

Answer 10

Ciprofloxacin

Question 11

Lab Xray

Answer 11

mediastinal widening

Question 12

treatment

Answer 12

antibiotics

Question 13

prophylaxis

Answer 13

acellular vaccine adsorbed/ Raxibacumab