Difference between revisions of "Bacillus anthracis"
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− | + | [[Image:human anthrax.jpg|right|thumb|125px|<small><center>'''Anthrax (human)'''. Courtesy of T. Scase</center></small>]] | |
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− | [[ | + | *Epidemiology: |
+ | **Saprophyte in soil | ||
+ | **Endospore formation allows persistence and spread | ||
+ | **Endospores survive decades in the soil | ||
+ | **Outbreaks in herbivores grazing pastures contaminated by spores from buried carcases | ||
+ | **Infection usually by ingestion of spores and penetration through damaged mucosa | ||
+ | *Pathogenesis and pathogenicity: | ||
+ | **Spores germinate at site of entry and spread via lymphatics to bloodstream, where they multiply and produce toxin | ||
+ | **Capsule and toxin (encoded by separate plasmids) required for virulence | ||
+ | **Capsule composed of homopolymer of D-isomer of glutamic acid allows survival in the body by resisting phagocytosis | ||
+ | **Capsule stains mauve with polychrome methylene blue in the MacFadyean's reaction - identify anthrax in blood samples | ||
+ | **Bacilli appear as chains of dark blue, square-ended rods surounded with the capsule | ||
+ | **Extracellular toxin (holotoxin) composed of oedema factor, protective antigen and lethal factor | ||
+ | **Oedema factor is an adenylate cyclase which increases intracellular cAMP concetrations, causing fluid accumulation and damaging [[Neutrophils|neutrophils]] | ||
+ | **Lethal factor causes release of cytokines from macrophages | ||
+ | **Protective antigen binds to the cell receptor to allow action of the other factors | ||
+ | **The toxin kills phagocytes, increases capillary permeability and interferes with clotting cascade | ||
+ | **Capillary thrombosis; leakage of fluid through damaged capillary endothelium | ||
+ | **Systemic shock from circulatory collapse, [[Haemostasis - Pathology#Haemorrhagic Disease Due To Vascular Fragility|haemorrhagic disease]] and oedema lead to death of the animal | ||
+ | **Severe systemic disease that can result in [[Septicaemia and Enteritis, Bacterial|enteritis]] | ||
+ | **Causes tissues to darken and swell due to oedema and necrosis | ||
− | + | [[Anthrax]] | |
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− | + | * Causes severe systemic disease that can result in [[Septicaemia and Enteritis, Bacterial|enteritis]]. | |
− | + | *[[Peritonitis - Pathology#In pigs|Peritonitis in pigs]] | |
− | + | [[Category:Bacillus_species]][[Category:Cattle]][[Category:Sheep]][[Category:Pig]][[Category:Horse]][[Category:Dog]] | |
− | + | [[Category:To_Do_-_Bacteria]] | |
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Revision as of 10:12, 25 June 2010
- Epidemiology:
- Saprophyte in soil
- Endospore formation allows persistence and spread
- Endospores survive decades in the soil
- Outbreaks in herbivores grazing pastures contaminated by spores from buried carcases
- Infection usually by ingestion of spores and penetration through damaged mucosa
- Pathogenesis and pathogenicity:
- Spores germinate at site of entry and spread via lymphatics to bloodstream, where they multiply and produce toxin
- Capsule and toxin (encoded by separate plasmids) required for virulence
- Capsule composed of homopolymer of D-isomer of glutamic acid allows survival in the body by resisting phagocytosis
- Capsule stains mauve with polychrome methylene blue in the MacFadyean's reaction - identify anthrax in blood samples
- Bacilli appear as chains of dark blue, square-ended rods surounded with the capsule
- Extracellular toxin (holotoxin) composed of oedema factor, protective antigen and lethal factor
- Oedema factor is an adenylate cyclase which increases intracellular cAMP concetrations, causing fluid accumulation and damaging neutrophils
- Lethal factor causes release of cytokines from macrophages
- Protective antigen binds to the cell receptor to allow action of the other factors
- The toxin kills phagocytes, increases capillary permeability and interferes with clotting cascade
- Capillary thrombosis; leakage of fluid through damaged capillary endothelium
- Systemic shock from circulatory collapse, haemorrhagic disease and oedema lead to death of the animal
- Severe systemic disease that can result in enteritis
- Causes tissues to darken and swell due to oedema and necrosis
- Causes severe systemic disease that can result in enteritis.
- Peritonitis in pigs