Spirillaceae

1. Campylobacter jejuni is an important cause of diarrhoea. Briefly describe its transmissions route and pathogenesis?

2. Briefly, what diseases does it cause – and who is most susceptible?

3. How would you go about treating this infection.

Campylobacter jejuni is part of the spirrilaceae family. One of its manifestations, an important one, is bloody diarrhoea. Its transmission route is faecal oral (contaminated food, water, unpastuerised milk), and zoonotic (i.e.: various animals, cats, dogs, birds, and poultry). Its pathogenesis is via production of cholerae toxin like toxin – and also 2 other cytotoxins have been described. These cytotoxins are thought to be involved in mucosal cell destruction. Campylobacter jejuni causes: Septacaemia, Meningitis, Blood Diarrhoea, Spontaenous Abortion, Proctitis, Gullian-Barre syndrome (SMDSPG – come up with pneumonic). Most susceptible people are general children, but septic patients also fall into this category. Treatment is administered via erythromycin, but this doesn’t cover all strains – so ciprofloxacin is also used.

1. Describe the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori, and the conditions it is associated with?

2. How would you treat patients infected with Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylorus is the single most causation of duodenal and gastric ulcers, together with aspirin (NSAIDs). Its urease activity is seen as an important virulence factor, and it produces cytotoxin that induces vacuole formation in the epithelial cells. The conditions it is associated with (UGA): gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastric MALT lymphoma and adenocarcinoma of stomach. The treatment regime for Helicobacter pylorus is “triple therapy” where Bismuth salts, antibiotics (amoxicillin, tetracyclins, metranidazole etc) and proton pump inhibitors (“omeprazole”).

Category: Microbiology Notes