Clinical history: A suspicious envelope arrived for sorting at rural post office. The envelope was opened and found to contain white powder. Approximately two days later, the postal worker who handled the letter developed cutaneous boils, which were 1 to 5 cm in diameter with central necrosis and eschars. He and his wife also developed a mild nonproductive cough with fatigue, myalgia for 72 hours, followed by severe dyspnea, diaphoresis, and cyanosis. Temperature of 39.5°C, pulse 105/min, respiration 25/min, and blood pressure 85/45mm Hg. Crackles were heard at the lung bases. A chest xray shows a widened mediastinum and small pleural effusions. WBC count of 13,130/mm3, hemoglobin 13.7g/dL, hematocrit 41.2%, MCV 91 um3, and platelet count 244,000/mm3. Both died despite antibiotic therapy. Several cattle, horses, and sheep on the postal worker's farm also died. Photos include extremity photo and gram stain. What specimen was most likely collected for the grain stain? Does fact that the patient works at a post office or that he owns a farm relevant to this case? What type of host/microbe relationship is occurring here? What is the possible causative agent? Is it likely that more individuals in this rural town could have contracted the microbe? If yes, how?

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)

11th Edition

ISBN:9780134580999

Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn

Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn

Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...

See similar textbooks

Related questions

Question

100%

Clinical history: A suspicious envelope arrived for sorting at rural post office. The envelope was opened and found to contain white powder. Approximately two days later, the postal worker who handled the letter developed cutaneous boils, which were 1 to 5 cm in diameter with central necrosis and eschars. He and his wife also developed a mild nonproductive cough with fatigue, myalgia for 72 hours, followed by severe dyspnea, diaphoresis, and cyanosis. Temperature of 39.5°C, pulse 105/min, respiration 25/min, and blood pressure 85/45mm Hg. Crackles were heard at the lung bases. A chest xray shows a widened mediastinum and small pleural effusions. WBC count of 13,130/mm³, hemoglobin 13.7g/dL, hematocrit 41.2%, MCV 91 um³, and platelet count 244,000/mm³. Both died despite antibiotic therapy. Several cattle, horses, and sheep on the postal worker's farm also died. Photos include extremity photo and gram stain.
1. What specimen was most likely collected for the grain stain?
2. Does fact that the patient works at a post office or that he owns a farm relevant to this case?
3. What type of host/microbe relationship is occurring here?
4. What is the possible causative agent?
5. Is it likely that more individuals in this rural town could have contracted the microbe? If yes, how?

no references, just homework, please include references

Expert Solution

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

SEE SOLUTION Check out a sample Q&A here

Knowledge Booster

Learn more about

Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.

Similar questions