Brain Storm Flashcards

1
Q

What makes Diphtheria dangerous?

A

It can be transmitted by both symptomatic & ASYMPTOMATIC people

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2
Q

What is the reason behind air gasping symptom after a coughing episode for Pertussis?

A

Mucus accumulation in the airway cause airway NARROWING

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3
Q

How does B. pertussis cause fever?

A

When the bacteria dies, it releases ENDOTOXIN - triggers immune system, leading to inflammation and fever

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4
Q

What are the 2 toxins of Pertussis that are responsible for whooping cough?

A
  1. Tracheal toxin - Destroys epithelial cells of trachea. Trachea loses sweeping function.
  2. Pertussis toxin - Increase mucus production & accumulation in airway, leading to airway (bronchial) obstruction.
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5
Q

What is the evasion strategy of B. Pertussis?

A

Secretion of ADENYLATE CYCLASE - Impairs phagocytes activity

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6
Q

What is the detection methods for Pertussis?

A
  1. PCR on nasopharyngeal swab (initial infection)
  2. Serological method (End infection)

Culture method is not feasible as organism is difficult to be cultured

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7
Q

What are the key signs & symptoms of pneumonia?

A
  1. Key sign - Consolidation of lungs (X-ray)
  2. Key symptom - Purulent cough (with sputum production)
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8
Q

What are the 3 virulence factors of Streptococcus pneumonia?

A
  1. Polysaccharide capsule (adherence, prevent complement opsonization)
  2. Pneumolysin (cell-to-cell spread)
  3. IgA protease (against IgA)
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9
Q

What is makes Influenza vaccine’s form unique?

A

Trivalent vaccine (Inactivated form)

(2 Influenza A strains + 1 Influenza B virus)

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10
Q

Why is annual vaccination important for Influenza vaccine?

A

Influenza virus can undergo antigenic drift/shift which can result in strain that reduces effectiveness or impair immunological memory.

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11
Q

Differentiate between the Chest Scan findings of Pneumonia, Covid-19 and TB.

A

Pneumonia - Consolidation

Covid-19 - Ground glass opacities

TB - Cavitation

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12
Q

What is the usage of VDRL/RPR test? What could lead to false negative and positive results?

A

VDRL/RPR - Detects non-specific treponemal Ab (Reagin antibody). Used to detect Syphilis infection

False negative results - Ab excess leading to absent of flocculation (Overcome by diluting Ab)

False positive results - due to non-treponemal disease. Infection that result in tissue damage can lead to reagin Ab production.

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13
Q

Armadillo serves as an organism to grow what microorganism?

A

Mycobacterium leprae

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14
Q

What is the cutoff value of T cell count that results in AIDS?

A

Below 200 cells/uL

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15
Q

What are some host predisposing factors for UTI besides short urethra and close proximity of urethra with anus? (ie common to both male and female)

A
  1. Urinary obstruction (eg: due to aging, renal stones, pregnancy)
  2. Sexual intercourse (moves microbe up urethra)
  3. Paraplegia (inability to move lower body parts voluntarily) - leading to incomplete bladder emptying
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16
Q

What are the more specific clinical features of cystitis and pyelonephritis respectively?

A

Cystitis - Pyuria (many leukocytes seen under microscope)

Pyelonephritis - Fever & haematuria (bloody urine) due to kidney tissue damage.

NOTE: Flank pain, kidney tenderness are NON-specific features of pyelonephritis

17
Q

What is the cutoff values that suggest UTI? Is relying on the cutoff value solely reliable?

A

WBC: >4 under high power field (hpf) microscopy (Cystitis & Pyelonephritis) OR >10^5 CFU/mL

RBC: >2 under hpf (Pyelonephritis)

Cannot rely SOLELY on these cutoff values. Should interpret together with clinical symptoms observed.

18
Q

What is the purpose of using CLED agar in UTI diagnosis. Briefly explain its function based on its components.

A

Purpose: Isolation & Enumeration of urinary bacteria

Components:
1. Bromothymol blue : As pH indicator to differentiate lactose-fermenter (Yellow colony) from non-lactose fermenter (Blue colony)
- Can function as Differential media

  1. Electrolyte-deficient: Minimize swarming of Proteus species
19
Q

What are the complementary treatments for UTI to antibiotics?

A
  1. High fluid intake - to FLUSH out the microorganisms
  2. Urine alkalinisers - Slows bacterial growth
20
Q

How is leprosy transmitted? How is its transmissibility?

A

Through nasal droplet. Transmissibility is low due to requirement for CLOSE & PROLONGED contact

21
Q

How does M. leprae cause nerve damage?

A

It invades Schwann cells in peripheral nerves & reduce myelin production, causing nerve damage