Ch. 8 ID Flashcards
List characteristics of Clostridium botulinum bacteria
Gram +
Anaerobic rod
spore-forming
prevalent in soil an marine sediment
heat and acid resistent
What is the mechanism of action of botulinum toxin?
blockage of presynaptic release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction –>
flaccid descending paralysis
mydriasis, ptosis, respiratory paralysis
what is the primary cause of death in botulism?
respiratory paralysis
What is the treatment of botulism?
Botulinum Antitoxin
Adults –» trivalent antibodies to toxin (derived from horse serum)
Infants –» human-derived botulinum Ig IV (BIG-IV)
What toxin causes tetanus?
exotoxin tetanospasmin
List characteristics of Clostridium tetani bacteria
gram + Rod
anaerobe
spore-forming –> “drumstick appearance”
found in soil and animal feces
What is the mechanism of action of exotoxin tetanospasmin?
Blocks release of inhibitory neurotransmitters (glycine and GABA) at motor endplates of skeletal muscle, spinal cord, brain and sympathetic nervous system –> spastic paralysis and tetany
What type of poisoning can have a similar presentation to tetanus?
Strychnine poisoning
(found in pesticides, homeopathic meds, street drugs)
- waxing and waning intense muscle contractions, back arching, grimacing
Tx with benzos
How is tetanus diagnosed?
Clinical diagnosis
SPATULA TEST - a tongue depressor is used to touch the posterior oropharynx, will cause a patient with tetanus to uncontrollably bite down on the depressor
(reported sensitivity and specificity of > 90% for tetanus infection.)
What is the treatment for tetanus?
- aggressive supportive care
- Human Tetanus Ig (TIG) 3000-5000 units IM
- Tetanus immunization (opposite side)
- +/- Abx (Metronidazole) (questionable utility)
- other meds:
- Benzos to relax muscles
- Magnesium and labetalol for sympathetic hyperactivity
penicillin and isolated beta blockade are contraindicated
If you have a wound that requires debridement should you do it before or after administration of tetanus immune globulin?
After. Debridement can release additional toxins
How is gonorrhea diagnosed?
Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) of urethral/first-catch
urine, cervical, pharyngeal, or rectal specimen; sensitivity approximately
95%
What is the treatment for disseminated gonorrhea?
Ceftriaxone 1 g IV daily
What organism causes syphilis?
Treponema pallidum
Describe the characteristics of the organism treponema pallidum?
Gram negative
obligate intracellular
spirochete (corkscrew shaped)
visible with darkfield microscopy
What is the incubation period of syphilis?
2-4 weeks
Describe primary syphilis
painless genital ulcer with indurated border (chancre) that heals spontaneously over 2-6 weeks
What do you call a wartlike genital lesion?
condyloma lata (secondary syphilis)
What are the 4 components of tertiary syphilis?
- tabes dorsalis - myelopathy involving dorsal columns of spinal cord
- dementia
- gummatous lesions of mucous membranes
- Thoracic aortic aneurysms
What stage of syphilis does neurosyphilis occur?
can occur in ANY stage!
How is syphilis diagnosed?
screening test = serum rapid plasma reagin (RPR) or VDRL
confirmatory test = serum florescent treponemal antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS)
What is the treatment of primary or secondary syphilis?
Benzathine penicillin 2.4 million U IM (alternative = doxycycline × 14 days)
What is the treatment of latent or tertiary syphilis?
Benzathine penicillin 2.4 million U IM weekly × 3 (alternative = doxycycline PO × 28 days)
What is the treatment of neurosyphilis?
Aqueous penicillin G 3-4 million units IV q4h × 10-14 days
or
benzathine penicillin 2.4 million units IM qd plus probenecid PO qid × 10-14 days
Describe a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction and when does it typically occur?
Acute fevers, headaches, myalgias, sweating within 24 hours of initial treatment of spirochete infections;
What is the treatment of Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction?
self-limited
supportive treatment
Describe the microbiology of the influenza virus.
single-stranded RNA
Orthomyxoviridae virus
How is EBV typically transmitted?
bodily secretions
What lab finding is common in those with mono?
transaminitis
How is Mono diagnosed?
Heterophil antibody tests, eg, Monospot (viral capsid immunoglobulin M [IgM])
What organism causes rabies?
Lyssavirus (specifically genotype 1)
What are the symptoms of encephilitic form of rabies?
- periodic episodes of hyperactivity
- hypersalivation
- periodic spasms, including inspiratory (aerophobia) and (pharyngeal) hydrophobia
What organism causes sporotrichosis?
fungus – Sporothrix schenckii
How is sporotrichosis diagnosed?
biopsy/fungal cultures
however, treat based on clinical suspicion
What is the treatment for sporotrichosis?
Intraconazole for 3-6 MONTH
What should you consider in travelers, immigrants or patients with unexplained fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or eosinophilia?
parasitic helminths
What is the most common helminth infection in the US?
Pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis)
which is a type of nematode aka roundworm
How is pinworms diagnosed?
via scotch-tape swab of anal verge and direct visualization of worms
How is Pinworms/Enterobius vermicularis treated?
Albendazole or mebendazole
Which parasite hatches eggs in the small intestine, mature in the lungs and ascend the bronchial tree to be swallowed?
Common Roundworm
(Ascaris Lumbricoides)
Hookworm and strongyloides also ascends bronchial tree but eggs hatch into larvae in soil and travels via blood to lungs (rather than eggs hatching in intestine)
What do you call the dry cough, chest pain, and low grade fever due to eosinophilic pneumonitis during migration through lungs associated with ascaris lumbricoides?
Loeffler Syndrome
How is Common Roundworm (Ascaris Lumbricoides) diagnosed?
stool microscopy (Ova and parasites)
How is Common Roundworm (Ascaris Lumbricoides) treated?
albendazole or mebendazole
How does Hookworm cause anemia?
- chronic blood loss from attaching to intestinal mucosa
- iron deficiency anemia and nutritional deficiencies
Which parasite is known to occasionally cause rectal prolapse?
whipworm (trichuris triciura)
How is Strongyloides (Strongyloides stercoralis) treated?
Ivermectin or albendazole
Which parasite commonly causes muscle pain and tenderness, fever, and periorbital swelling?
Trichinella (Trichinella spiralis)
Which nematode uses mosquitos as its vector?
Lymphatic Filariasis/Elephantiasis (Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi )
How is Lymphatic Filariasis/Elephantiasis (Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi) treated?
diethylcarbamazine (DEC) or ivermectin
What vector does Onchocerciasis/River Blindness (Onchocerca volvulus) use?
Blackfly (simulium) - found near fast-flowing rivers and streams
How do you treat Onchocerciasis/River Blindness (Onchocerca volvulus)?
Ivermectin
What vector does Loa loa use?
deerfly
How does loa loa present and how do you treat Loa Loa?
worm can be visible on conjunctival exam of eye
tx: DEC
Which tapeworm can cause a megaloblastic anemia due to B12 deficiency?
Diphyllobothrium latum
How is Diphyllobothrium latum ingested?
undercooked fish
How is Echinococcus species ingested?
Feces of sheepdogs, cattle,
wolves, foxes
Which parasite causes larval cysticerci in brain, striated muscle, and liver (aka cysticercosis)?
T. solium
How is T. Solium treated?
Praziquantel
How long does HIV seroconversion take?
3-12 weeks after exposure
What is the treatment for AIDS patient with Histoplasmosis?
Severe –> IV amphotericin
mild –> itraconazole
What is the treatment of coccidiomycosis in AIDS patient?
Same as Histoplasmosis
Severe –> IV amphotericin
mild –> itraconazole
What organism causes PCP (pneumocystis) pneumonia?
P. jirovecii – a yeast-like FUNGUS
What lab finding is common in PCP pneumonia?
elevated LDH
(also elevated A-a gradient)
What is the treatment for PCP pneumonia?
TMP-SMX
(in sulfa allergy, treat with clindamycin + primaquine)
■ Prednisone if A-a gradient > 35 or Pao2 < 70 mm Hg
■ Prophylaxis with TMP-SMX, 1 DS tab daily is indicated for CD4 < 200 cells/
mm3 and greatly decreases the incidence of PCP.
Cryptococcal meningitis is most commonly in patients with CD4 <_____ cells/mm3
100
How is cryptococcal meningitis diagnosed?
LP – fungal cultures is definitive
CSF cryptococcal antigen – is highly sensitive and specific
(India ink stain of CSF is only positive 75% of time)
What is the treatment for cryptococcal meningitis?
Admit for IV amphotericin and PO flucytosine, then requires lifelong tx with fluconazole
Describe microbiology of toxoplasma gondii
Protozoan parasite
Obligates intracellular
Found worldwide
Felines are host
What is the treatment for toxoplasmosis?
Pyrimethamine + sulfadiazine (+ folinic acid)
■ Steroids are indicated for significant edema/mass effect.
Primary CNS lymphoma occurs most commonly with CD4 < ___ cells/mm3
50
What is the CT appearance of Primary CNS lymphoma?
Focal lesion (usually solitary) that enhances with contrast. Hyperdense/ isodense periventricular enhancement is often seen.