Corynebacterium And Other Nonsporeforming Gram ….pptVIP

Corynebacterium and OtherNon–Spore-forming Gram-Positive Rods Corynebacterium sp. Listeria monocytogenes Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Case Study A 76-year-old woman is receiving corticosteroid therapy Complained of fever and headache for 7 days CBC count showed an elevated white cell count CSF analysis showed 250 WBC/cu mm Glucose 30 mg/dL Protein 180 mg/dL Culture grew beta-hemolytic colonies on sheep blood agar, gram-positive pleomorphic rods Catalase positive, motile at room temperature CAMP-factor positive Points to Consider What type of infection was suspected in this particular patient? What predisposing risk factors were presented by the patient? How are these organisms differentiated from other groups with similar characteristics? What clinical forms of infections are associated with these groups of organisms? Other points to consider Corynebacterium Species:General Characteristics Morphology Gram-positive, non–spore-forming rods Arrange in palisades:“L-V” shape; “Chinese characters” Pleomorphic: “club-ends” Corynebacterium Species General characteristics Found as free-living saprophytes Members of the usual flora of humans and animals Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the most significant pathogen Other species may cause infections in the immunocompromised hosts Other Corynebacteria Significant Corynebacterium species C. xerosis C. pseudodiphtheriticum C. pseudotuberculosis C. jekeium C. ulcerans Rhodococcus equi Arcanobacterium haemolyticum C. diphtheriae: Agent of Diphtheria Toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae Worldwide distribution rare in places where vaccination programs exist Exotoxin as the virulence factor Diphtheria toxin Toxin is produced by certain strains Lysogenized by bacteriophage with toxin gene (tox+) Toxin is antigenic Toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae Toxin consists of two fragments A: Active fragment Inhibits protein synthesis Catalyzes transfer of ADPR to link with EF2 ADPR.EF (inactive) Leads to cell/tissue de