Clinical Microbiology 2 Flashcards
Describe the treatment regimen used for TB
6 month course of combination antituberculent therapy;
- Rifampicin - Bacteriocidal to slow replicating organisms in necrotic foci
- Isoniazid - Bacteriocidal to fast growing mycobacteria
- Pyrazinasmide - Bacteriocidal even against slow growing mycobactria intracellularly
- Ethambutol - Bacteriocidal against slow growing mycobacteria
NB: P+E removed after 4 months
Describe the structure of a granuloma
Central caseous necrosis surrounded by epithelioid macrophages, which are in turn surrounded by lymphocytes
What is the common cold?
Most colds are caused by the Rhinovirus (RNA virus) but can also be caused by corona viruses (RNA viruses)
What is pharyngitis?
An inflammatory condition of the pharynx and/or tonsils. It is common in children and teenagers but tends to resolve in 3-7. The most common cause is the adenovirus (DNA virus)
What is croup?
A distinctive cough that occurs in children which is caused most often by the parainfluenza virus which causes inflammation of the larynx
What is bronchiolitis?
A common viral LRTI in children that causes a runny nose, dry wheezy cough and difficulty breathing. It is caused by the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) which causes the bronchioles to become inflamed and plugged with mucus
Describe the classification of the influenza virus
A - Can cause epidemics and pandemics
B - Will not cause a pandemic
C - Causes a mild infection
Further categorised by Haemagglutinin and Neuraminidase e.g. H1N1
What is antigenic drift?
In antigenic drift of the influenza virus there are continuous point mutations in the haemagglutinin receptor that is used to bind to human cells
Describe the vaccination used for influenza
2 types;
- Inactivated;
- 2 A types
- 1 B type
- Live; nasal spray for children
What is antigenic shift?
The process by which influenza pandemics occur;
1) Animal containing the virus can infect an intermediate host which passes on to humans
2) A mixture of genetic material of viruses in multiple species is passed on to humans
3) A strain from an animal that is passed directly on to a human
Describe the CURB65 tool used in pneumonia
C - Confusion U - Urea >7 R - Respiratory rate >30 B - BP; diastolic <90 65 - Age 65+
If the patient has 2 or more points then they are likely to have severe pneumonia
Describe the SIRS criteria used to assess a patient for sepsis
- Temperature 38°C
- Heart Rate >90bpm
- Respiratory Rate >20/min
- White Blood Cells 12
If the patient has two or more points then they have sepsis
What are the most common congenital infections?
T - Toxoplasma O - Other (syphillis, HIV, chickenpox etc.) R - Rubella C - Cytomegalovirus H - Herpes Simplex
Describe passive immunisation
Transmission of immunoglobulins .g. hepatits immunoglobulins. However this is a short term immunisation so lifelong immunity does not occur
Describe active immunity
Transmission of the antigen to allow the body to develop its own life long immunity
What are live attenuated vaccines?
e.g. Polio
Contains a version of the living microbe which has been weakened so that it cannot cause disease. Weakened by growing inside a chicken embryo so that the microbe is adapted to dividing in chicken cells
What are the advantages and disadvantages of live vaccines?
Advantages;
- Closest to natural infection so strongest immune response
- Life long immunity after 1 or 2 doses
Disadvantages;
- Could become virulent
- Cannot be given to the immunosuppressed
What are inactivated vaccines?
e.g. Influenza
Contains a microbe which has been inactivated by chemicals (e.g. formaldehyde), heat or radiation. This destroys the genetic material therefore preventing it from being able to replicate