Human diseases - Bacteria

"flesh eating bacteria" that produces an endotoxin known as a super antigen that activates T cells and causes the overproduction of cytokines

• INVASIVE gram positive cocci that resemble a bunch of grapes
• they cause pus forming diseases in humans
• normally found in respiratory system and skin
• can cause disease in many organs

• Toxic Shock Syndrome
• bacterial TSST - 1 protein binds to MHC class 2 and TCR
• TOXIN stimulates T cell responses in the absence of a specific peptide
• Cytokine overproduction (shock due to circulatory collaps and organ failure

• many strains are drug-resistant
• MRSA strains typically acquired as nosocomial infections

good aseptic techniques

when antibiotic use kills normal flora and Clostridium Difficile take over in the gut. this leads to toxin production and sporulation

colitis, toxic megacolon, can lead to sepsis and death

transplant of normal bacteria from another person delivered into the colon ("bacteriotherapy" or "fecal transplantation")

mycobacterium tuberculosis

homeless, alcoholics, prisoners, immigrants

slowly

reactivation of old dormant infections

• unique toxic cell envelope components
• Survive phagocytosis

lung