1017 - Sexually Transmitted Infections Flashcards
Discuss the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis
Epi - Very uncommon, except in NT, and particularly among women - problem in Indigenous communities.
Features - Protazoan infection of vagina and urethra. 70% asymptomatic, mild irritation to severe inflammation, can cause pre-term labour and low birth weight.
Diagnosis - Vaginal swab - found on light microscopy
Treatment - Metronidazole or tinidazole
Discuss the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis
Epi - Most common STI, particularly among 15-30yr olds and among women.
Features - Intracellular infection. Can be asymptomatic, or Inflammation of genitalia (or whatever infected area), including progressing into the body to cause prostatitis/epididymoorchitis or pelvic inflammatory disease. May present with discharge.
Diagnosis - Most commonly done by PCR, but cell culture was traditional methid
Treatment - Azithromycin or doxycycline.
Discuss the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Epi - Common infection among the young (15-30) and indigenous
Features - Facultative intracellular. Can be asymptomatic, or Inflammation of genitalia (or whatever infected area), including progressing into the body to cause prostatitis/epididymoorchitis or pelvic inflammatory disease. May present with discharge.
Diagnosis - Most commonly by PCR, but culture is still important for determining sensitivity for treatment.
Treatment - Resistance to ciprofloxacin is a big problem
Describe the structure of Chlamydia species and the impact this has on the diagnosis and treatment of infection
Chlamydia species are unique in a number of ways:
Outer membrane stabilised by major outer-membrane proteins (MOMPs) - determine serovars and Cystein Rich Proteins (CRP) - also form the P layer.
No pepitodglycan - means you can’t target it with Penicillin
Biphasic - only active inside the cell as reticular bodies.
