ID:IOTS - Infectious Disease Insight Of Two Specialists 14. Bacillus: Anthracis and Cereus
Dec 19, 2021
Dive into the fascinating world of gram-positive bacilli! Explore the notorious Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cereus, understanding their impact on human health. Discover the symptoms and management of foodborne illnesses linked to these bacteria. Learn about anthrax's virulence factors and diagnostic challenges, alongside crucial treatment protocols involving antibiotics. Finally, uncover the importance of vaccination strategies and risk assessments for those most vulnerable in the face of potential biological threats.
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Diverse Grouping Of Gram-Positive Bacilli
- Gram-positive bacilli are a heterogeneous group without one dominant family like staph or strep.
- The hosts divide them into non-branching, branching, and mycobacteria for clinical relevance.
Environmental Ubiquity And Niches
- Bacillus species are ubiquitous in soil, water, plants and animals and can form hardy spores.
- Anthracis links to animals and spores in soil, while cereus is associated with food plants like rice.
Real-World Anthrax Exposure Examples
- Farmers, vets, lab workers and injecting drug users are typical at-risk groups for anthrax exposure.
- There was an outbreak in west Scotland linked to contaminated heroin causing injectional anthrax deaths.