Textbook Question
Explain why Gram-positive mycoplasmas appear pink in a Gram-stained smear.
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Ch. 19 - Pathogenic Gram-Positive Bacteria
Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - A Brief History of Microbiology31
- Ch. 2 - The Chemistry of Microbiology28
- Ch. 3 - Cell Structure and Function39
- Ch. 4 - Microscopy, Staining, and Classification25
- Ch. 5 - Microbial Metabolism51
- Ch. 6 - Microbial Nutrition and Growth37
- Ch. 7 - Microbial Genetics51
- Ch. 8 - Recombinant DNA Technology21
- Ch. 9 - Controlling Microbial Growth in the Environment36
- Ch. 10 - Controlling Microbial Growth in the Body: Antimicrobial Drugs21
- Ch. 11 - Characterizing and Classifying Prokaryotes29
- Ch. 12 - Characterizing and Classifying Eukaryotes34
- Ch. 13 - Characterizing and Classifying Viruses, Viroids, and Prions23
- Ch. 14 - Infection, Infectious Diseases, and Epidemiology35
- Ch. 15 - Innate Immunity34
- Ch. 16 - Adaptive Immunity21
- Ch. 17 - Immunization and Immune Testing29
- Ch. 18 - Immune Disorders22
- Ch. 19 - Pathogenic Gram-Positive Bacteria25
- Ch. 20 - Pathogenic Gram-Negative Cocci and Bacilli28
- Ch. 21 - Rickettsias, Chlamydias, Spirochetes, and Vibrios25
- Ch. 22 - Pathogenic Fungi47
- Ch. 23 - Parasitic Protozoa, Helminths, and Arthropod Vectors44
- Ch. 24 - Pathogenic DNA Viruses23
- Ch. 25 - Pathogenic RNA Viruses30
- Ch. 26 - Applied and Industrial Microbiology29
- Ch. 27 - Microbial Ecology and Microbiomes22
Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 19, Problem 5
Why do pediatricians recommend that children under one year never be fed honey?
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that honey can contain spores of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which is harmless to older children and adults due to their mature digestive systems and gut flora.
Recognize that infants under one year have an immature digestive system and a less developed gut microbiome, which makes them more susceptible to colonization by Clostridium botulinum spores.
Learn that when these spores germinate in the infant's intestines, they can produce botulinum toxin, leading to infant botulism, a serious and potentially fatal illness characterized by muscle weakness and respiratory problems.
Note that because of this risk, pediatricians recommend avoiding feeding honey to children under one year to prevent exposure to these spores.
Summarize that the key reason is the prevention of infant botulism caused by Clostridium botulinum spores present in honey, which infants cannot safely handle due to their immature digestive defenses.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Botulism and Clostridium botulinum Spores
Honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that produces botulinum toxin. In infants under one year, these spores can germinate in the immature gut, leading to infant botulism, a serious paralytic illness.
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Infant Gut Microbiota and Immune System Development
The digestive and immune systems of infants under one year are not fully developed, making them more susceptible to infections. Their gut lacks the mature microbiota that inhibits harmful bacteria like C. botulinum from colonizing.
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Symptoms and Risks of Infant Botulism
Infant botulism can cause muscle weakness, poor feeding, constipation, and respiratory difficulties. Early exposure to honey increases the risk, so pediatricians advise avoiding honey to prevent this potentially life-threatening condition.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
A bacterium associated with bacteremia, meningitis, and pneumonia in newborns is
a. Staphylococcus aureus
b. Staphylococcus epidermidis
c. Streptococcus pyogenes
d. Streptococcus agalactiae
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Textbook Question
Which type of anthrax is more common in animals and in humans?
a. Cutaneous anthrax
b. Inhalation anthrax
c. Gastrointestinal anthrax
d. Mucoid anthrax
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Textbook Question
Explain how mice are used in the diagnosis of botulism poisoning.
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Textbook Question
Contrast tuberculoid leprosy with lepromatous leprosy in terms of pathogenesis. How does the cellular immune response of a patient affect the form of the disease?
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Textbook Question
Of the following genera, which can survive the harshest conditions?
a. Staphylococcus
b. Clostridium
c. Mycobacterium
d. Actinomyces
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