Pneumococcus Pneumoniae Overview

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Questions and Answers

What characteristic shape do pneumococci exhibit?

Lancet-shaped (correct)
Spiral-shaped
Rod-shaped
Circular-shaped

Which of the following best describes the mode of transmission of pneumococcus pneumoniae?

Only through direct contact with infected individuals.
Only through contaminated food.
Only through vector-borne transmission.
Exogenously by droplet from carriers and endogenously from one's own microflora. (correct)

What is the primary function of the bacterial capsule of pneumococcus?

To enhance nutrient absorption.
To provide antiphagocytic and antigenic properties. (correct)
To assist in replication.
To facilitate motility.

Which enzyme is produced by pneumococcus that causes cell lysis?

Autolysin (C) Signup and view all the answers

What diseases are primarily associated with pneumococcus pneumoniae?

Acute bacterial pneumonia and otitis media (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the bacterial capsule of pneumococcus contribute to its pathogenicity?

The bacterial capsule provides antiphagocytic properties, enabling pneumococcus to evade the immune system and enhance its ability to cause disease. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the role of pneumolysin in the pathogenesis of pneumococcus pneumoniae.

Pneumolysin attacks mammalian cell membranes, leading to cell lysis and contributing to tissue damage during infection. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how pneumococcus pneumoniae can be transmitted endogenously.

Endogenous transmission occurs when the infection arises from the individual's own microflora present in the nasopharynx. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of autolysin production in pneumococcus?

Autolysin contributes to the lysis of bacterial cells, releasing components that can trigger inflammatory responses and further promote infection. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the implications of pneumococcus being an obligate parasite of humans.

Being an obligate parasite means pneumococcus requires human hosts for survival and transmission, which complicates treatment and prevention efforts. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Capsule's role in pneumococcus

The pneumococcus capsule prevents phagocytosis and contributes to its antigenicity (the ability to trigger an immune response).

Mode of transmission (pneumococcus)

Pneumococcus infection can be transmitted exogenously (from another person) by droplets from the nose or endogenously (from the body's own microflora) from the nasopharynx.

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)

Gram-positive, non-motile, encapsulated cocci that are lancet-shaped and typically occur in pairs (diplococci), causing pneumonia in humans.

Pneumolysin

An enzyme produced by pneumococcus that damages mammalian cell membranes, leading to their lysis (destruction).