If an anaerobic specimen reveals terminal GPB spores and swarming on an ANO2 BAP plate, which organism is suspected?

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Multiple Choice

If an anaerobic specimen reveals terminal GPB spores and swarming on an ANO2 BAP plate, which organism is suspected?

Spore placement in endospores is a key clue for identifying Clostridium species in anaerobic cultures. Clostridium tetani forms terminal endospores, giving a distinctive “drumstick” or tennis-racket appearance at the end of the Gram-positive rod. When you see those terminal spores in an anaerobic specimen, along with swarming growth on a rich anaerobic blood agar plate, it strongly points to the tetanus-causing organism. The other species typically show spores in subterminal or central positions and have different associated conditions, so they don’t fit this specific combination as well. Therefore, the organism most likely suspected is Clostridium tetani.

Spore placement in endospores is a key clue for identifying Clostridium species in anaerobic cultures. Clostridium tetani forms terminal endospores, giving a distinctive “drumstick” or tennis-racket appearance at the end of the Gram-positive rod. When you see those terminal spores in an anaerobic specimen, along with swarming growth on a rich anaerobic blood agar plate, it strongly points to the tetanus-causing organism. The other species typically show spores in subterminal or central positions and have different associated conditions, so they don’t fit this specific combination as well. Therefore, the organism most likely suspected is Clostridium tetani.

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