An epidemiologic study is conducted after a sudden increase in the rate of severe postoperative infections in a rural hospital. It is determined that all the patients who developed the infection were operated on with surgical instruments sterilized by a specific autoclave machine. The machine was found to be inadequately sterilizing the equipment due to a malfunction limiting the temperature to 100 C (212 F) during the 15 minute cycle. These patients most likely developed infection from which of the following bacteria?

Question

An epidemiologic study is conducted after a sudden increase in the rate of severe postoperative infections in a rural hospital.  It is determined that all the patients who developed the infection were operated on with surgical instruments sterilized by a specific autoclave machine.  The machine was found to be inadequately sterilizing the equipment due to a malfunction limiting the temperature to 100 C (212 F) during the 15 minute cycle.  These patients most likely developed infection from which of the following bacteria?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Spore-forming bacteria can survive boiling temperatures.  Bacillus and Clostridium species are common pathogenic spore-forming bacteria.

An Epidemiologic Study Is Conducted After a Sudden Increase in the Rate