Clinical Symposium 9: Abscess Flashcards
What is an abscess?
An abscess is a collection of pus; it is a complication of acute inflammation
What is acute inflammation?
the initial tissue reaction to injury
What are causes of inflammation?
physical, chemical, infectious, infarction, immune mediated
What are 4 signs of inflammation?
Rubor (redness)
Calor (heat)
Tumor (swelling)
Dolor (pain)
Functio laesa (loss of function)
Name the 3 stages of acute inflammation?
- Vascular Changes
- Extravasation of white blood cells
- Phagocytosis
What is suppuration?
the formation of pus
When does pus form in acute inflammation?
when there is too much exudate
Give two chemicals that phagocytes use to kill engulfed microorganisms:
1) reactive oxygen species
2) myeloperoxidase
What proteins are used to opsonise microorganisms for phagocytosis? (3)
1) IgG
2) C3
3) C5
Give 2 components of pus:
1) living and dead neutrophils
2) cell/ tissue debris and bacteria
What is the most common stimulant of suppuration?
a pyogenic (pus forming) bacteria such as Staphylococcus
True or false: abscesses are not accessible to antibiotics
True
Why aren’t abscesses accessible to antibiotics?
there are no blood vessels reaching abscesses
What could result from an untreated abscess?
septicaemia
What is septicaemia?
uncontrolled infection around the body (blood poisoning)
