Lecture 29.5 - Bacillus and Mycoplasma Infections

Anthrax
Bacillus anthracis is found in soils, which is a reservoir. It gets transferred to animals and then humans who handle these animals.

Cutaneous
Cutaneous anthrax looks like gas gangrene, and isn't as deadly as the pulmonary form.

Pulmonary
Pulmonary anthrax is much deadlier and can kill within hours of symptoms first showing. However, the ID 50 is rather high and it can be treated with ciprofloxacin,

Prevention
Cremation works best for destroying spores, and vaccines are also available. However, humans have bad reactions to the vaccine and the vaccine doesn't last long in cows.

Mycoplasma
Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes atypical, CAP or walking pneumonia. It is a firmicutes even though it has no cell wall and stain Gram-negative.

It is treated with Erythromycin, Azithromycin, and Tetracycline/Doxycycline.