Bacterial Infections in Childhood Flashcards
What’s the definition of a fever?
Temperature greater than 37.8 degrees
Why are children more susceptible to infection?
Lack of immune memory and maturity, thinner skin, shorter airways, and hygiene is poorer
What are the symptoms of meningococcal septicaemia?
High temperature, flushed, NO RASH, NO NECK STIFFNESS OR PHOTOPHOBIA, tachycardia, high fever, tachypnoea
Give an example of a prokaryocyte
Bacteria
Give an example of a eukaryocyte
Fungi and protozoa
Describe the structure of prokaryotes
Have a single circular chromosome, no nucleus or organelles and divide by binary fission
Describe the structure of eukaryotes
Have multiple chromosomes and a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles, and divide by mitosis
Name two groups of gram positive bacteria
Cocci and bacilli
Name three types of cocci bacteria
Staphylococcus, streptococcus and enterococcus
What type of bacteria are staphylococcus, streptococcus and enterococcus?
Gram positive cocci bacteria
Name examples of bacilli (gram positive) bacteria
Corynebacterium, listeria, clostridium (tetani and botulinum) and bacillus
What are the two types of bacterial toxin?
Exotoxin and endotoxin
What are bacterial exotoxins?
Proteins that are secreted by the pathogen
Give an example of a bacterial exotoxin
Cholera toxin or diphtheria toxin (from Corynebacterium diphtheria) which works to inhibit protein synthesis
What are bacterial endotoxins?
These are part of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria and they are released during the lysis of the organism and this leads to macrophage activation
What type of bacteria present endotoxins?
Gram-negative as it presents on the outer membrane
What is meningitis?
The inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.due to infection of the meninges
What factors put a child at higher risk of streptococcus pneumoniae infection?
Absent/non-functional spleen, hypoglobulinanaemia and HIV infection
How may a streptococcus pneumoniae infection present in a child?
Non-invasive = acute otitis media and sinusitis Invasive = septicaemia, meningitis, arthritis etc.
What two vaccinations are available against streptococcus pneumoniae?
Pneumovax and prevent (a conjugate vaccine)
What are the most common bacterial causes of sepsis and meningitis in babies under 3 months?
Group B streptococcus, E. Coli and Listeria
What are the most common bacterial causes of sepsis and meningitis in children older than 3 months?
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitideis and haemophilus influenza B (HiB)
What is neonatal sepsis?
Where sepsis occurs within the first 28 days of life
What bacteria is responsible for tetanus?
Clostridium tetani (a gram positive bacilli)
What are the common causes of tetanus infection in children?
Lack of maternal vaccination in pregnancy, use of unclean blade to cut the umbilical cord or the application of mud dung to the cord
Name two types of superficial fungal infection in children
Candidiasis (nappy rash) and ringworm (tine corporis)
What is candidiasis?
This is nappy rash, it’s a form of fungal infection that is treated with topical antifungals e.g. nystatin
What is ringworm?
An infection due to tinea corporis fungus
Name two types of invasive fungal infections
Candidaemia and pulmonary aspergillosis
What is candidaemia?
Where nappy rash can cause a severe reaction in extremely preterm infants and can affect the kidneys and brain
What is pulmonary aspergillosis?
Where aspergillum fungus can cause chronic granulomatous disease which affects neutrophil function
What are the four main species of malaria?
- P.falciparum – most severe, cerebral malaria
- P. vivax
- P. ovale
- P. malariae
What is congenital toxoplasmosis?
Passing on of the toxoplasma gondii protozoa
Name two types of sporozoa protozoa
Plasmodium (malaria) and toxoplasma gondii (toxoplasmosis)
