RRS | Lecture 15
RRS | Lecture 15
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Quiz Questions (10 questions)
1. Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococci are the bacteria most commonly associated with pharyngitis, which is an inflammation of the throat.
2. The synthesis of erythrogenic toxin in certain strains of Streptococcus pyogenes is determined by a gene carried by a lysogenic phage, which integrates into the bacterial genome.
3. Chocolate agar is a type of growth medium that is frequently used for the isolation of Haemophilus species, providing necessary factors like NAD and hemin.
4. The exotoxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the virulence factor involved in the pathogenesis of diphtheria, a serious infection characterized by a gray pseudo-membrane in the throat.
5. A clinical feature of diphtheria is a 'bull neck', which refers to the swelling of the neck due to lymphadenopathy and soft tissue swelling.
6. Haemophilus influenzae is a gram-negative coccobacillus that requires both X (hemin) and V (NAD) factors for growth on culture media.
7. Bordetella pertussis is known to be exclusively found in the human respiratory tract, highlighting its specificity to humans.
8. The Quellung reaction is a capsule detection test used to identify certain bacteria by causing their capsules to swell, aiding in diagnosis.
9. Charcoal horse blood agar is the selective culture medium used for the growth of Bordetella pertussis, providing nutrients that support its growth.
10. An endotoxin is not considered a primary virulence factor for Bordetella pertussis, which causes whooping cough; its main virulence factors include tracheal cytotoxin, pertussis toxin, and fimbriae.
Previous Exam Questions (14 questions)
1. The bacterium associated with the symptoms in the first question is likely Haemophilus influenzae type b, as indicated by the culture on chocolate agar and the need for PRP (polyribosylribitol phosphate) capsule for virulence. The PRP capsule is an important virulence factor as it prevents phagocytosis by the host’s immune cells, allowing the bacterium to survive and proliferate in the host.
2. The major virulence factor of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, as stated in question two, is produced by strains that are lysogenized for β-prophage. This means that the bacterium has been infected with a bacteriophage that carries the toxin gene, which is crucial for the production of diphtheria toxin, leading to the formation of the characteristic gray pseudo-membrane in the pharynx.
3. In question three, the most common bacterium causing tonsillitis is Streptococcus pyogenes, a Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. This bacterium is responsible for the classic symptoms of sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes, and can lead to complications such as rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis if not properly treated.
4. The causative agent in question four is Beta hemolytic streptococci, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes. This bacterium is known for its ability to produce hemolysins that lyse red blood cells, which is detected through the rapid strep test and the characteristic beta-hemolysis pattern on culture.
5. Question five identifies Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci as the most likely cause of pharyngitis. These bacteria are the same as Streptococcus pyogenes, which are known to cause a wide range of infections including pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and skin infections.
6. In question six, the virulence factor involved in the pathogenesis of diphtheria is an exotoxin, produced by toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This exotoxin inhibits protein synthesis in host cells, leading to cell death and the formation of the characteristic pseudo-membrane.
7. For question seven, the medium most frequently used to isolate Haemophilus species is chocolate agar. This enriched medium provides the necessary factors, such as hemin (X factor) and NAD (V factor), needed for the growth of these fastidious organisms.
8. Question eight mentions Streptococcus pyogenes as the organism that may lead to scarlet fever. This condition is caused by the erythrogenic toxin produced by certain strains of this bacterium, which leads to the characteristic rash and systemic symptoms.
9. In question nine, the mechanism of action of the Bordetella pertussis toxin involves ADP ribosylation of Gi proteins. This action disrupts cellular signaling, leading to the pertussis symptoms of severe coughing and respiratory distress.
10. The virulence factor in question ten is the capsule of Streptococcus pneumoniae. This polysaccharide capsule is critical for the bacterium's ability to evade phagocytosis, hence contributing to its pathogenicity in causing pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections.
11. The most common bacterial cause of tonsillitis is Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes), which is known for causing inflammation and swelling of the tonsils. This bacterium can lead to complications such as a blocked airway due to swollen tonsils, making it difficult to breathe, and dehydration due to difficulty swallowing. In some cases, it can also cause post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, which is a kidney disease that occurs after an infection. Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease are other possible complications, which can result in long-term heart damage. Scarlet fever, characterized by a rash, is another complication caused by the erythrogenic toxin produced by the bacteria. In severe cases, Streptococcus pyogenes can lead to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), which can result in septic shock and death.
12. Diagnostic methods for Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the bacterium that causes diphtheria, include the Elek test to document toxin production, which is crucial since the toxin is responsible for the disease's systemic effects. The ELISA test for the toxin is now considered the gold standard for detecting toxin-producing strains, providing a sensitive and specific measure of the presence of the toxin. Additionally, Gram stain of the organism shows club-shaped, gram-positive rods arranged in V or L shapes, which is characteristic of Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
13. Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, is characterized by being small, gram-negative, aerobic rods that are encapsulated. This bacterium infects the respiratory tract and leads to severe coughing fits that are often followed by a 'whooping' sound when the person breathes in. The capsule is a key feature that helps the bacteria evade the host's immune system, thereby facilitating infection and transmission.
14. The key virulence factors of Streptococcus pyogenes include the M-protein, which is antiphagocytic and is associated with acute glomerulonephritis and rheumatic fever. This protein helps the bacteria avoid being engulfed by phagocytes, thus promoting infection. Streptolysin O, an immunogenic hemolysin, contributes to tissue damage by lysing red blood cells and other cell types. Streptokinase, another virulence factor, breaks down fibrin clots, thereby facilitating the spread of the infection within the host tissue. Exotoxins A-C, which are pyrogenic toxins that are phage-coded, cause fever and are responsible for the rash seen in scarlet fever, adding to the pathogenicity of the bacterium.
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**Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: A Comprehensive Overview** **Introduction to Upper Respiratory Tract Infections** The **upper respiratory tract** is a complex system responsible for the initial phase of air intake and filtration, encompassing structures such as the nose, pharynx, and larynx....
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What is the primary growth medium for isolating Haemophilus...
Chocolate agar is the primary growth medium for isolating Haemophilus species as...
What is pharyngitis and what are its common symptoms?
Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the pharynx, typically causing a sore throat....
Which bacterium is the most common cause of pharyngitis?
Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, is t...
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