1.6 Bacterial Infections of LRT

Question 1

What is empyema and what organism causes it?

Answer 1

Collection of pus in between the lung and the chest wall; caused by Strep. pneumonia

Question 2

What is unique about Mycoplasma pneumonia?

Answer 2

It lacks a cell wall (peptidoglycan) and is neither gram positive nor negative. It’s human specific and not free living and is not visible with light microscopy.

Question 3

What two organisms are associated with nosocomial infections?

Answer 3

Klebsiella p. and Pseudomonas a.

Question 4

Which pneumonia causing bacterium is an obligate intracellular pathogen?

Answer 4

Chlamydophila pneumoniae

Question 5

Which pneumonia causing bacterium is found in people who have diabetes, cancer, renal disease, or COPD or are alcoholics?

Answer 5

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Question 6

Which organism causes secondary infections after a viral infection?

Answer 6

Staphylococcus aureus

Question 7

What are two ways to detect empyema?

Answer 7

Friction rub and radiograph

Question 8

What organism causes pneumonia in nearly all CF patients above the age of 15?

Answer 8

Pseudomonas aeroginosa

Question 9

How is Pseudomonas aeroginosa resistant to antibiotics?

Answer 9

Via efflux pumps in outer membrane and formation of special alginate biofilms

Question 10

What pathological process is most fatal in CF pts with pneumonia?

Answer 10

The host immune response to the bacteria and alginate is most dangerous, not the bacterial attack itself.