Clostridium Tetani Case Study

Clostridium difficile is a gram positive, spore forming anaerobic bacillus, which may or may not carry the genes for toxin A-B production (Nipa, 2010). These two types of protein exotoxins produced by the Clostridium difficile bacillus, toxin A and toxin B, can have an infectious form and a non-active, non-infectious form (Grossman, 2010). The infectious form can survive for a short duration of time in the environment. The spores can survive for a longer period of time in the environment and are not infectious unless and until they are ingested or are transformed into an infectious state (Nipa, 2010).

Wound Botulism is transmitted when C. botulinum spores germinate and produce toxins within the exposed wound. No person to person

2. There are many conditions with symptoms similar to those described in the story. Research the symptoms. What bacteria or pathogens, other than E. coli, might be responsible for these illnesses? What are some examples of other ilnesses that can have similar symptoms?

Clostridium botulinum is a type of bacterium that is one of the main reasons for causing the deadly illness botulism. To

The healthcare professional can expect to encounter various conditions within their scope of experience. Clostridium difficile represents one of the most common and challenging nosocomial infections that can cause life-threatening complications such as hypervolemia, sepsis, pain, and peritonitis (Grossman and Mager 155). The recognition, diagnosis, treatment and inhibition of transmission of this bacterium are imperative in order to limit infection and prevent death.

Clostridium difficile was initially thought to be part of the normal flora and C. difficile infections were miss identified as Staphylococcus aureus or Candida albicans. The C. difficile toxin was later identified in 1977 after a clinical trial using clindamycin caused patients to have diarrhea. The next year, in 1978, antibiotic use was quickly discovered as the major risk factor (Brymer, 2007). Clostridia belong to the phylum Firmicutes and comprise a heterogeneous group consisting of at least 12 lineages. Morphological and phenotypic properties that have traditionally been used to define the genus include the formation of endospores, anaerobic energy metabolism, an inability to reduce sulfate to sulfide, and a Gram- positive cell wall structure. Clostridia usually form spores only under anaerobic conditions, they grow better anaerobically than in air (Stevens,2015). Clostridium difficile infection is the most common infectious cause of diarrhea in the Intensive Care Unit.

They go through negative selection after V(D)J recombination where the self-reacting cells are eliminated. Positive selection is in the periphery and where B cells become mature B-cells. Unlike T-cells, B-cells also go through hypermuation and class switching in the lymph nodes after they are activated. This helps them be more specific for antigens. B-cells either proliferate into memory B-cells or plasma cells that secrete antibodies. Antibodies opsonize, neutralize or fight by complement fixation against the virus. The memory cells are used if an infection of the same virus occurs

|  These are chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another neuron. Most neurotransmitters are about the size of larger proteins or peptides.

761). Since the nutrients in the intestines are available due to the good bacteria being destroyed, Clostridium difficile uses the nutrients to multiply and releases the toxins , which attack the lining of the intestines, thus causing colitis (Fordtran, 2006, pp. 3).

The genus name refers to a spindle, and the species name means tension which is appropriate since Clostridium tetani causes Lockjaw. The taxonomic information is: Domain Bacteria, Phylum Firmicutes, Class Clostridia, Order Clostridiales, Family Clostridiaceae, Genus Clostridium, Species tetani.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals made by neurons and used by them to transmit signals to the other neurons or non-neuronal cells (e.g., skeletal muscle; myocardium, pineal glandular cells) that they innervate. The neurotransmitters produce their effects by being released into synapses when their neuron of origin fires (i.e., becomes depolarized) and then attaching to receptors in the membrane of the post-synaptic cells. This causes changes in the fluxes of particular ions across that membrane, making cells more likely to become depolarized, if the neurotransmitter happens to be excitatory, or less likely if it is inhibitory.

Clostridium tetani is a Gram-positive bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria retain a crystal violet stain in their thick peptidoglycan. C. tetani are bacillus-shaped organisms. Typically bacillus shaped organisms are shaped like rods, however, C. tetani, although bacillus, tend to have a drumstick-like shape. This drumstick shaping is due to terminal spores formed by the bacteria. Spores are dormant forms of an organism. The spores germinate and swell within the cell, imparting the bacteria’s drumstick shape.1 Clostridium tetani are also anaerobic, meaning that they cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. The organisms are very sensitive to heat, however, the spores that they produce can become rather resistant to heat and antiseptics.2 C.

Clostridium difficile is a very common nosocomial infection. There are two particular recent incidents that have been recorded and taken advantage of in order to see what the nosocomial disease is capable of. One case in particular occured in China back in the span years of 2014 and 2015. This case involved separating different strains found throughout the hospital to in order to examine virulence ability. C. difficile was monitored due to the fact that it is able to produce spores that are resistant to regular control measures. This case in china occurred due to the fact transmission ability and susceptibility of this bacterium is not often assessed in this country (6).

The main components of the synapses are as follows: The Axon terminal, found at the end of the Axon, passes neurotransmitters to other neurons via synaptic transmission. Synaptic Vesicles contain neurotransmitters within the Axon. Neurotransmitters themselves are chemical messengers that travel through the neurons and activate receptors on the receiving cell. The neurotransmitters are diffused through the synaptic cleft—a region between the two neurons and gap the neurotransmitter needs to cross to make it to the receiving cell. Said receiving cell is what receives the neurotransmitters and starts the process over again. The receptors on the cell are structures that receive the neurotransmitters and

Neurotransmission also known as synaptic transmission refers to a communication process between neurons by the movement of chemicals or electrical signals across a synapse. The action potential has begun in the presynaptic neuron after neurotransmission takes position at a synapse. The binding process of neurotransmitters can trigger short term changes such as postsynaptic potentials also called membrane potential, or longer term changes depends on the stimulation of signaling cascades. It is essential for nerve impulses to assist in the propagation of signals in which they sent to and from the central nervous system (CNS) through efferent and afferent neurons. These signals coordinate both skeletal and