Rhodococcus & burkholderia

• Is Rhodococcus equi Gram-positive or Gram-negative?

  Gram-positive
• Is Rhodococcus equi aerobic or anaerobic?

  Aerobic
• Does Rhodococcus equi form spores?

  No
• Is Rhodococcus equi a facultative intracellular bacteria?

  Yes
• What shapes can Rhodococcus equi take?

  Coccoid to bacillary
• Does Rhodococcus equi have mycolic acid in its cell wall?

  Yes
• Where is Rhodococcus equi found?

  Ubiquitous in the environment
• In what environmental conditions does Rhodococcus equi thrive?

  Hot temperatures and dusty areas
• What is VAP in Rhodococcus equi?

  Virulence associated protein which is a plasmin bearing virulence factor. Types:

  • VAPA
  • VAPB
  • VAPN
• What are the routes of Rhodococcus equi infection?

  Inhalation/ingestion/wound infection
• How does Rhodococcus equi initially infect a host?

  Phagocytosed by macrophages
• Where does Rhodococcus equi survive and replicate?

  In macrophages
• What effect does Rhodococcus equi have on macrophages?

  Necrosis of macrophages
• How does VAP contribute to Rhodococcus equi's survival?

  Prevents phagolysosome fusion
• What cells are attracted by cytokines during Rhodococcus equi infection?

  Neutrophils
• Which age group is most predisposed to Rhodococcus equi infection?

  Young
• What is important to determine the severity of Rhodococcus equi infection?

  Number of bacteria inhaled
• Are the clinical signs of Rhodococcus equi infection specific?

  No
• What are some non-specific clinical signs of Rhodococcus equi infection?

  Tachypnoea, dyspnoea
• What is pyrexia?

  Fever
• What is a clinical sign of Rhodococcus equi infection?

  Mucopurulent discharge
• What type of typhlocolitis is associated with Rhodococcus equi?

  Pyogranulomatous typhlocolitis
• What type of pneumonia is associated with Rhodococcus equi?

  Pyogranulomatous pneumonia
• What type of lymphadenitis is associated with Rhodococcus equi?

  Pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis
• What are some other gross lesions associated with Rhodococcus equi infection?

  Polyarthritis
• What is hypopyon?

  Pus in the anterior chamber of eye
• What lesions can occur in liver, spleen, or skin due to Rhodococcus equi?

  Pyogranulomas
• What bone infection can Rhodococcus equi cause?

  Osteomyelitis
• What histological findings are associated with Rhodococcus equi infection?

  • Pyogranulomatous Pneumonia
  • Typhlocolitis
  • Lymphadenitis
  • Hepatitis, splenitis
  • Uveitis
  • Osteomyelitis
• What does PCR amplify in Rhodococcus equi diagnosis?

  VAP
• How is Rhodococcus equi infection diagnosed?

  PCR
• How is Rhodococcus equi isolated and identified?

  Bacterial culture
• Is Burkholderia mallei Gram-positive or Gram-negative?

  Gram-negative
• Is Burkholderia mallei motile?

  Non-motile
• Is Burkholderia mallei encapsulated?

  Yes
• Does Burkholderia mallei sporulate?

  No
• Can Burkholderia mallei survive in the environment?

  No
• What environmental conditions favor Burkholderia mallei?

  Humid to wet conditions
• What is the primary host of Burkholderia mallei?

  Equids
• What disease does Burkholderia mallei cause?

  Glanders/Farcy