24 Bacterial Pathogens III - Genitourinary Tract Infections Flashcards
How do pathogens of the genitourinary tract get transmitted?
Direct contact
Most significant genitourinary pathogen route?
Sexual intercourse
T or F: Humans are the only reservoir and host of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
T
Bacterial number of N. gonorrhoeae needed to cause gonorrhea?
< 1000
Pt of entry for N. gonorrhoeae?
Vagina (females) urethral canal (men)
Pathogenesis of gonorrhoea?
N. gonorrhoeae enter vagina/urethral canal > attaches to genital tract’s epithelial cells via pili > invades epithelial cells and enters sub-epithelial tissues > phagocytes enter area > inflammation > bacteria release endotoxin
How does N. gonorrhoeae get transmitted?
They are released as a result of tissue damage from inflammation and phagocytic attack into genital secretions
Gonorrhoea symptoms in females?
- Vaginal inflammation
2. Burning sensation upon urination
Gonorrhoea symptoms in men?
- Urethral canal inflammation
- Painful rination
- Pus discharge
Why are females more likely than males to be carriers of N. gonorrhoea?
Females experience far less symptoms (if any), so they’re less likely to be treated
What is “disseminated gonorrhea”?
When N. gon infections result in bacteria entering the BLOOD, which then spread to other organs (~1% of cases)
Possible gonorrhea complications in men?
- Urethral scarring
2. Infertility
Possible gonorrhea complications in women?
Pelvic inflammatory disease > infertility
T or F: N. gon infections cannot be passed on to babies.
F
Eye infections can occur, leading to blindness > use antibiotic eye drops
How is gonorrhea diagnosed?
Nucleic acid amplification test (PCR) on URINE specimens
N. gonorrhea is resistant to these anibiotics
- Penicillin
- Erythromycin
- Tetracycline
T or F: Once you get gonorrhea, you become immune to it.
F
Why does one not become immune to gonorrhea bacteria?
The immune system attacks the bacteria’s PILI > N. gonorrhea changes pili to avoid immunity in host
This bacterium causes syphilis
Treponema pallidum
Gram stain and shape of Treponema pallidum
Gram neg; Spirochete
Length of time Treponema pallidum can survive outside of human host
< 15 minutes
Routes of transmission for T. pallidum
Transmitted via direct contact (oral, anal, vaginal sexual contact, mother-to-fetus, compromised skin)
NOT transmitted via inanimate objects
Point of entry of T. pallidum
Sub-epithelial tissue of genital tract
4 stages of syphilis
- Primary syphilis
- Secondary syphilis
- Latent syphilis
- Tertiary syphilis
Stage of syphilis associated w/ chancre formation at site of T. pallidum entry.
Primary syphilis
Length of time it usually takes for chancres (of syphilis) to heal
4-6 weeks
Stage of syphilis associated w/ healed chancres, and the spread of T. pallidum to other organs via blood.
Secondary syphilis
A rash is characteristic of this stage of syphilis.
Secondary syphilis
Syphilis becomes dormant in this stage.
Latent syphilis
About ___% of patients progress to tertiary syphilis after the latent stage.
30%
Latent T. pallidum gets reactivated in this stage of syphilis.
Tertiary syphilis
You are infectious in these stages of syphilis
Primary and secondary syphilis
This stage of syphilis is characterized by a delayed hypersensitivity rxn due to the presence of T. pallidum.
Tertiary syphilis
“Gummas”, cardiovascular damage, and nervous sys damage occur in this stage of syphilis.
Tertiary syphilis
Flu-like symptoms characterize this stage of syphilis.
Secondary syphilis
Microscopic examination of swabs is only possible in these stages of syphilis.
Why?
Primary and secondary stages
These stages are characterized by lots of T. pallidum bacteria
Serological tests are possible for these stages of syphilis.
All stages
Syphilis bacteria can only be cultured during these stages.
None.
T. pallidum can’t be cultured on lab media
How syphilis was treated before antibiotics were a thing.
Raise body temp of pt
First chemical therapy for syphilis
Salvarsan (Ehrlich invented it)
Current chemical therapy for syphlis
Benzathine penicillin G
Reason for there not being a vaccine for syphilis
Can’t grow T. pallidum in the lab (on nutrient plates)
What’s the “Columbian Theory”?
The theory that Columbus imported syphilis into Europe from the Americas
