[216B] Sepsis & Infection Flashcards
What does it mean when we say “CBC and differential”?
Complete Blood Count with a breakdown of the different WBC types present.
Antibody titre is useful if:
The pathogen is difficult to culture.
Antibody titre measures the _____ & _____ of antibodies, which helps us determine if:
Type & number
Helps us determine whether there’s an active infection or there was a previous infection
We identify and classify bacteria with:
Gram stains.
Empiric treatment is based on:
Suspected pathogen based on pt’s clinical presentation.
Candida albicans infections are treated with the antifungal:
Nistatin.
Empiric tx should be started ASAP if: (3)
- There is sepsis.
- The infection is severe.
- The host is exhausted.
List 5 classes of antibiotics that inhibit cell wall synthesis.
- Penicllins.
- Cephalosporins.
- Bacitracin.
- Vancomycin.
- Carbapenems.
Which 4 classes of antibiotics inhibit protein synthesis?
- Chloramphenicol.
- Erythromycin.
- Tetracyclines.
- Streptomycin.
List 2 classes of antibiotics that inhibit nucleic acid transcription/translation.
- Quinolones.
2. Rifampin.
Which antibiotic injures the bacteria’s plasma membrane?
Polymyxin B.
List 2 classes of antibiotics that inhibit the synthesis of essential metabolites.
- Sulfanilamide.
2. Trimethoprim.
What are some common side effects of antibiotics? (4)
- GI disruptions (ex: diarrhea, abd pain, N&V)
- Superinfections, especially with broad-spectrum abx (ex: C. diff).
- Drug-drug interactions (ex: with oral contraceptives, NSAIDs).
- Allergies (ex: penicillins, cephalosporins, sulfa drugs)
What is immunotherapy?
Tx that supplements the host’s immunity.
Immunotherapy is highly effective against:
viral infections.
What are 2 examples of immunotherapy?
- Immune globulins (IG).
2. Cytokines (interferons & interleukins).
What are immune globulins?
Antibodies from donors.
Immune globulins offer ______ immunity and are administered _____ exposure.
Passive; after.
Both examples of immunotherapy are most often administered:
IV.
Cytokines are:
Immune mediators.
What do cytokines do?
Stimulate the immune system.
What is an example of a cytokine tx drug?
Intron A (interferon alpha-2).
Immunizations lead to the development of:
B cell antibodies.
The first successful immunization was for:
smallpox.
Sepsis is defined as:
Excessive inflammatory response to a pathogen.
Inflammation will begin ________, then spread _______.
Locally (at the site); systemically.
T/F: our immune systems can develop tolerance.
True c:
Tolerance development is part of immunotherapy tx for:
allergies.
Which immune cells trigger cytokine release?
Dendritic cells.
What activates the complement system?
The presence of the microbe/pathogen.
Cytokines and the complement system are both considered:
Immune response modulators.
Adaptive immunity requires you to have:
previous exposure to a pathogen/antigen.
The primary cells of the adaptive immune system are:
B and T lymphocytes.
Where are B lymphocytes made? Where are T lymphocytes made?
B - bone marrow.
T - thymus.
B cells are generally more effective against ____, while T cells are generally more effective against _____.
B - bacteria.
T - viruses.
B lymphocytes provide “______ immunity”.
T lymphocytes provide “_________ immunity”.
B - humoral immunity.
T - cell-mediated immunity.
Passive immunity is ____-term while active immunity is _____-term.
Passive - short.
Active - long.
List 2 ways that infection with a pathogen may cause tissue damage.
- Toxins/other secretions.
2. Pathogen replication (takes up space —> impairs host cell’s ability to function).
If inflammation lasts more than ___ days, it will be considered chronic inflammation.
10 days.
Chronic inflammation may cause: (2)
- Organ dysfunction (d/t ongoing pressure).
2. Necrosis.
The body’s response to infection will activate: (4)
- Endothelial cells to increase permeability of the vascular system.
- WBCs (ex: neutrophils).
- Connective tissue cells (ex: macrophages).
- Platelets.
Define septicemia.
Pathogen is present/replicating in the blood.
T/F: septicemia and sepsis are a package deal (ie: if there is septicemia, it will lead to sepsis; if we see sepsis, there is always septicemia).
False: septicemia will only lead to sepsis if it causes a systemic inflammatory response.
T/F: sepsis always indicates an overwhelming amount of pathogen is present in the body.
False: any amount of pathogen may cause sepsis (an extreme inflammatory response).
T/F: sepsis is always considered a medical emergency.
True: will progress to shock if untreated!
Sepsis causes vaso______.
Vasodilation.
_______ infections cause at least half of all sepsis cases.
Respiratory.
