Microbes as Weapons (Part 1) Flashcards

1
Q

what are the 6 Category A (highest risk) agents?

A

Bacillus anthracis
Botulinum toxin
Yersinia pestis
Smallpox virus
Francisella tularensis
Viral hemorrhagic fevers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

causative agent of anthrax?

A

Bacillus anthracis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Bacillus anthracis causes

A

anthrax

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Causative agent of botulism?

A

Botulinum toxin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Botulinum toxin causes…

A

Botulism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

causative agent of plague?

A

Yersinia pestis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Yersinia pestis causes

A

plague

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

causative agent of tularemia?

A

Francisella tularensis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Ebola is an example of what Category A agent?

A

Viral hemmorhagic fevers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what’s one example of a viral hemorrhagic fever?

A

Ebola

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what makes bacillus anthracis easy to identify?

A

non-hemolytic
medusa head colonies
gram positive rod
endospores

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

non-hemolytic

A

Bacillus anthracis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

medusa head colonies

A

Bacillus anthracis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

gram positive rod

A

Bacillus anthracis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

endospores

A

Bacillus anthracis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

how to confirm that it’s Bacillus anthracis?

A
  • lysis by gamma phage
  • fluorescent Ab
  • PCR amplification: DNA can be found on spore by testing spore powder
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what are the three forms of anthrax?

A

Inhalation anthrax
Cutaneous anthrax
Gastrointestinal anthrax

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what is the anticipated delivery of anthrax?

A

aerosol

19
Q

what are three virulence factors of inhalation anthrax?

A
  • GERMINATES IN PHAGOCYTES
  • CAPSULE prevents phagocytosis
  • 3 FATAL TOXINS
20
Q

what are the three fatal toxins of inhalation anthrax?

A
  1. PA: protective antigen
  2. LF: lethal factor
  3. EF: edema factor
21
Q

what does the protective antigen do, and what disease is it associated with?

A

forms pores, delivers toxins

inhalation anthrax

22
Q

what does the lethal factor do, and which disease is it associated with?

A

interrupts cell signaling, interferes with macrophage function and dendritic cell function

inhalation anthrax

23
Q

what does the edema factor do, and which disease is it associated with?

A

causes cells to secrete fluids

inhalation anthrax

24
Q

symptoms of inhalation anthrax

A

1-3 post-infection, symptoms mimic a viral respiratory disease, sometimes apparent recovery

spores begin to germinate, cells produce toxins for 2-43 days following exposure (long incubation period)

abrupt onset of massive tissue hemorrhage, necrosis, edema, high fever, shock

rapid, fatal if no treatment

25
Q

symptom: symptoms mimic a viral respiratory disease

A

inhalation anthrax

26
Q

symptom: sometimes apparent recovery

A

inhalation anthrax

27
Q

symptom: cells produce toxins for 2-43 days after exposure

A

inhalation anthrax

28
Q

symptom: edema, shock, tissue hemorrhage

A

inhalation anthrax

29
Q

symptom: without treatment, disease progresses quickly to death

A

inhalation anthrax

30
Q

introduction of spores into the skin, they germinate and produce toxins

A

Cutaneous anthrax

31
Q

how is cutaneous anthrax developed in the body?

A

introduction of spores into the skin, they germinate and produce toxins

32
Q

when does cutaneous anthrax become fatal?

A

when the pathogen leaves the epidermis/dermis and enters the subcutaneous

33
Q

symptom: painless black scab

A

cutaneous anthrax

34
Q

symptom: extensive local edema

A

cutaneous anthrax

35
Q

what are the two outcomes for cutaneous anthrax that we studied in class?

A

10-20% of cases progress to fatal bacteremia

otherwise, it’s a self-limiting, localized lesion that heals spontaneously

36
Q

symptoms of cutaneous anthrax

A

painless black scab, extnsive local edema

37
Q

can anthrax be transmitted person to person?

A

no

38
Q

treatment for anthrax (3)

A
  • antibiotics
  • supportive therapy
  • 75% fatal even with treatment
39
Q

how to prevent anthrax?

A

prophylactic antibiotic treatment

cell-free vaccine for high risk
not stockpiled, not easily available
attenuated strain for livestock

40
Q

gastrointestinal anthrax results from what?

A

consumption of improperly prepared meat containing vegitative cells

41
Q

symptoms: nausea, vomiting, malaise, bloody diarrhea (variable symptoms)

A

gastrointestinal anthrax

42
Q

symptoms of gastrointestinal anthrax

A

nausea, vomiting, malaise, bloody diarrhea

43
Q

rapid fatal progression in untreated patients

A

gastrointestinal anthrax