An 88-year old male presents with fever, nausea, and headache. The patient reported a headache accompanied by fatigue and nausea without vomiting. According to the patient, he had recently consumed deli meat but discovered two days later that it had been recalled due to bacterial contamination. A blood sample shows elevated leukocyte counts. The patient’s blood culture is positive for gram positive non-spore forming bacilli.  A. Name the bacterium (genus and species name) that caused this infection. B. What disease does the patient have? C. Explain each clue provided in the narrative.  D. List and explain this bacterium’s primary virulence factor that was discussed in lecture?

Which pathogen is associated with sinus infections and ear infections?

Which of the following statements about Mycobacterium tuberculosis and tuberculosis is/are true?

A 27-year old female was admitted to the hospital with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps that have become severe. The patient also had difficulty speaking and was complaining of blurred vision and difficulty swallowing. Upon assessment, the nurse assigned observed drooping of the patient’s eyelids, and facial muscles on both sides of her face. Vital signs were stable with a blood pressure of 126/84, a pulse of 82, and a temperature of 98.3° F, however, respirations were 10 (normal is 18-20). The physician on call performed a neurological test showing deficits on both side of the body. The physician also orders blood work and a CT scan. The physician asks the patient what she had eaten in the last few days. She advises the physician that her mother cans her own vegetables and she had eaten from one of the jars. The patient begins to have weakness in her arms and legs. Paralysis starts developing in her upper extremities and soon after her breathing ceases. She was placed on a ventilator. The results of the CT scan are normal showing no signs of stroke or hemorrhage. The blood work however comes back showing positive for toxins. A. What disease does this patient likely have? B. Name the bacterium (genus and species) that causes this disease. C. List and explain the clues provided in the narrative.  D. Name the toxin this bacterium produces.  E. List three of the beneficial applications of this toxin. 

Scalded skin syndrome is caused by the _______________ produced by Staphylococcus aureus. 

An 8-year old boy presented to his pediatrician with a low-grade fever and a bright red rash on his chest, which developed two days after he complained of a painful sore throat.  Pus was present over the tonsillar area of the throat, nearby lymph nodes were slightly swollen and his tongue was red. Bacteria were cultured from a throat swab on blood agar and a gram stain was performed. Beta-hemolysis was present on the blood agar plate and gram staining revealed the presence of gram positive cocci in chains. A. What disease does this patient have?  B. Name the bacterium (genus and species) that caused her condition.  C. Explain your reasoning. D. List the toxin associated with the development of the rash.  E. Aside from culturing and staining, explain how this is diagnosed. 

___________  prevents muscle contraction leading to paralysis.

The HIV virus (human immunodeficiency virus) suppresses the immune system by _______________, eventually leading to AIDS.

True or False: Tetanus is caused by the tetanospasmin exotoxin released by Clostridium botulinum.

Treating infections caused by gram negative bacilli (like E. coli O157:H7) can often worsen a patient’s condition because many bacteria are killed at once increasing the risk of __________.