Give two examples of genera that produce endospores, and explain why they are important in human health. 

Answer:

Clostridium botulinum endospores can be found in carrion, food, garbage, and environment. Ingestion of endospores and C. botulinum endotoxin rarely can cause generalized neuromuscular blockade of spinal and cranial nerves. Signs and symptoms are dependent on amount ingested including miosis, anisocoria, lower motor neuron weakness, paralysis megaesophagus and aspiration pneumonia. It usually develop within 6 days of ingestion.

Bacillus anthracis is the etiological agent of anthrax. Its endospores are highly resilient, surviving extremes of temperature, low-nutrient environments, and harsh chemical treatment over decades or centuries. When it comes into a favorable environment, it begins to grow again. Because of these attributes, B, anthracis endospores are extraordinarily well-suited to use (in powdered and aerosol forms) as biological weapons. Infection can occur in four forms: skin, lungs, intestinal, and injection. Symptoms begins 1-60 days after infection. The skin form presents with a small blister with surrounding swelling that often turns into a painless ulcer with a black center. The inhalation form presents with fever, chest pain and shortness of breath. The intestinal form presents with bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. The injection form presents with fever and an abscess at the site of drug injection.