Concept Questions

Take some time to write answers to these questions. If you can answer them, you have a good grasp of the material!

1. What is the role of spores in infections? Describe the general distribution of spore-forming bacteria.

2. Briefly outline the epidemiology of anthrax; describe the stages in the development of cutaneous anthrax. Why is pneumonic anthrax so deadly? What other Bacillus species can be involved in infections or diseases?

3. What characteristics of Clostridium contribute to its pathogenicity? Compare the toxigenicity of tetanospasmin and botulin. What predisposes a patient to clostridial infection?

4. Outline the epidemiology of the major wound infections and food intoxications of Clostridium. What is the origin of the gas in gas gangrene? How does hyperbaric oxygen treatment work? Why is amputation necessary in some cases? What is debridement, and how does it prevent some clostridial infections?

5. What is the mechanism of antibiotic-associated colitis?

6. What causes the jaw to "lock" in lockjaw? Why do patients with no noticeable infection sometimes present with tetanus?

7. Compare the symptomology of botulism and tetanus. How are the two conditions alike and different? What is the difference between food, infant, and wound botulism?

8. Describe the epidemiology and route of infection in listeriosis. Why is listeriosis a serious problem even with refrigerated foods? Which groups are most at risk for serious complications? Why is erysipeloid an occupation-associated infection?

9. What are the distinctive morphological traits of Corynebacterium? Differentiate between diphtheria infection and toxemia. How can the pseudomembrane be life-threatening? What is the ultimate origin of diphtherotoxin?

10. Give the unique characteristics of Mycobacterium. What is the epidemiology of TB? Differentiate between TB infection and TB disease. What are tubercles? What is the course of disseminated disease? Outline the principles of tuberculin testing, chest X rays, and acid-fast staining. Why does tuberculosis require combined therapy?

11. What characteristics make M. leprae different from other mycobacteria? Differentiate between tuberculoid and lepromatous leprosy. What causes the deformations? What causes the mutilations of extremities?

12. What is the importance of NTM? Describe the effects of Mycobacterium-avium complex in AIDS patients.

13. Describe the bacteria in the actinomycete group, and explain why they are similar to fungi. Briefly describe two of the common diseases caused by this group.

14. Multiple matching: Choose all descriptions that fit.

1. Bacillus	a. is acid fast
2. Clostridium	a. cells irregular, pleomorphic
3. Mycobacterium	c. can form metachroma tic granules
4. Corynebacterium	d. regular-shaped rods
5. Listeria	e. forms endospores
	f. is psychrophilic
	g. is primarily anaerobic
	h. is aerobic
	i. is associated with dairy products
	j. cells can be elongate filaments
	k. shows palisades arrangement

15. Match the disease with the principal portal of entry.

1. anthrax	a. skin
2. botulism	b. gastrointestinal tract
3. gas gangrene	c. traumatized tissue
4. antibiotic colitis	d. respiratory tract
5. tetanus	e. urogenital tract
6. diphtheria	f. placenta
7. listeriosis	g. none of these
8. tuberculosis
9. leprosy

16. Using the same list of diseases as in question 16, match with symptoms and signs from the following list.

1. loss of cutaneous sensation
2. double vision
3. necrosis of muscle tissue
4. fever
5. black, cutaneous ulcer
6. severe diarrhea
7. difficulty in breathing
8. heart failure
9. flaccid paralysis of muscles
10. spastic paralysis of muscles
11. severe coughing
12. pseudomembrane
13. skin nodules

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