Bloodborne Pathogens (old) Flashcards
What are the routes of transmission for bloodborne viruses?
Direct contact with infected blood fluids, contaminated needles/syringes/unsterile instruments or direct infection via arthropod vectors
What are the three transmission routes for the human immunodeficiency virus? (HIV)
Via blood/blood products, contaminated needles, sexually or perinatally.
Describe the progression of HIV to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Exposure to HIV, seroconversion, asymptomatic, persistent generalised lymphadenopathy, AIDS related clinical features then AID
What are some treatments of HIV
- Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs)
- Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs).
- Protease Inhibitors (PIs)
- And anti-retroviral therapy which can be combinations of the treatments above.
How can you diagnose HIV?
- HIV-specific antibodies via ELISA or western Blotting.
- NAAT used to detect viral RNA serum and viral load.
How can you prevent HIV?
Screening of blood products, needle exchange programmes, anti-retroviral prophylaxis for needlestick injuries.
What are the hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens
- HBsAg (surface antigen).
- HBcAg (core antigen)
- HBeAg (pre-core antigen)
What are the ways HBV is transmitted?
- Blood or blood products, contaminated needles, tattoos, piercings or acupuncture.
What are the clinical features of HBV
Pre-icteric stage (malaise, anorexia, nausea and tender liver). Icteric Stage (jaundice and dark urine) Can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
Describe what jaudice is
Yellowish pigmentation in the skin, sclerae and other mucous membranes caused by hyperbilirubemia
What is the treatment for HBV
Pegylated Interfeuron Alpha
Describe some HBV prevention
HBsAg vaccine, HBV immunoglobin, blood screening, needle exchange programmes and sex ed.
Describe the transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Blood and blood products, tattooing, body piercings and acupuncture, haemodialysis (sexual and vertical transmission uncommon)
What are the clinical features of HCV?
Usually asymptomatic but can have; fatigue, nausea, weight loss, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (last two more rare)
Treatment for HCV?
What is the cause of malaria?
5 species of plasmodium, the most common is plasmodium falciparum. Female mosquitos inject it into bloodstream so it is a zoonotic disease
What are the clinical features of malaria?
Flu-like symptoms but p. falciparum can lead to complications such as cerebral malaria, circulatory shock and hepatitis.
Diagnosis of malaria?
At least 3 blood films (thick and thin) and NAAT for detecting drug resistance.
Malaria treatment?
Chemotherapy to kill blood stages and combination therapy. Example of an antimalarial is chloroquine
Malaria prevention?
Sleep under bed nets, cover exposed skin, use mosquito repellent, prophylaxis and vaccines currently being developed.
Key facts about Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B Virus
diagram
What is the highest burden of HBV
Features of HBV chronicity
