Sue Sharpe

Articles by this author

BIOLOGICAL AGENTS Tularaemia

TULARAEMIAS CAUSED BY the intracellular pathogen Francisella tularensis, a small, pleomorphic, aerobic, Gram-negative coccobacillus which requires a complex cysteine-containing growth medium for laboratory cultures. Capsules may form in tissues. The…

BIOLOGICAL AGENTS Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

AETIOLOGY ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER (RMSF) is caused by the rickettsial pathogen Rickettsia rickettsii, an obligate, intracellular parasite. These microorganisms are very small (0.3m-0.5m). Extracellular R. rickettsii ceases metabolic activity…

BIOLOGICAL AGENTS Plague – A Review

AETIOLOGY PLAGUE IS CAUSED BY the bacterium Yersinia pestis, a small Gram-negative, non-motile coccobacillus, which has a characteristics bipolar “safety-pin” appearance when stained. Although this organism is non-sporing, it may…

BIOLOGICAL AGENTS Brucellosis

AETIOLOGY BRU CELLOSIS IS CAUSED BY organisms of the genus Brucella; particularly B. melitensis, B. suis and B. abortus. These organisms are small Gram-negative, aerobic, coccobacilli and are facultative intracellular…

Anthrax – Clinical characteristics and use as a biological warfare agent

AETIOLOGY ANTHRAX IS CAUSED BY the microorganism Bacillus anthracis, a large Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium which is commonly found singly or in pairs. The organism is capsulated in clinical specimens, but…