Bacilli of Medical Importance

The following are the three (3) types of anthrax, EXCEPT:

• Inhalation

• Gastrointestinal

• Meningitis

• Cutaneous

What is the main function of protective antigen (PA) virulence factor of Bacillus anthracis?

• causes severe edema.

• allows entry of EF and LF into the cells

• anti-phagocytic

• cleave MAP kinase, causing cell death.

Answer explanation

-Lethal Factor (LF) is a zinc dependent

protease that is capable of cleaving mitogenactivated

protein (MAP) kinase, leading to cell death

- Edema factor (EF) a calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase that increases

the intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)

levels and results in edema

- capsule made of poly-D-glutamic acid is antiphygocytic

Botulinum toxin prevents the release of neurotransmitter ______ at peripheral synapses,

Answer explanation

Botulinum toxin prevents release of the

neurotransmitter acetylcholine, thus

blocking neurotransmission at peripheral

cholinergic synapses, leading to a flaccid

paralysis

Tetanus toxin causes _____ paralysis.

• Flaccid

• Spastic

Diphtheria is spread by _______

• Dairy products

• Respiratory droplets

• Toxin in soil

• Spore

Listeria monocytogenes is a psychrophiles which means they can grow at ________