Common Infectious Disease Recommendations

Question 1

Whooping Cough

Answer 1

Causative Agent: Bordetella Pertusis (Gram negative aerobic bacilli)

1st-line: Azithromycin
Alt: Co-Trimoxazole

Question 2

Anthrax

Answer 2

Causative Agent: Bacillus Anthracis (Gram Positive Aerobic Spore-forming Bacilli)

1st-line: Ciprofloxacin (children/pregnancy)
Alt: Levofloxacin

Question 3

Brucellosis

Answer 3

Causative Agent: Brucella spp. (Gram negative aerobic fastidious bacilli)

1st-line: Doxycycline + Rifampin or Gentamicin
Alt: Doxycycline + Streptomycin

Question 4

UTIs

Answer 4

Causative Agents: E. Coli, Staphylococcus Saprophyticus and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.

Catheter-related UTIs: Fluoroquinolones.

Pregnancy: pregnant women should be screened for bacteriuria and treated even if asymptomatic.

7-day treatment regiment:
Amoxicillin or Cephalexin
Nitrodurantoin (Avoid after 38 weeks)

Avoid fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides and co-Triamoxazole.

Question 5

Meningitis

Answer 5

Causative Agents: Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Neisseria Meningitidis, Haemophilus Influenzae

Signs: Brudzinski’s sign “neck flexion elicits hip and knee flexion as well,” Kernig sign “extension of knee is limited or painful in extension.”

Recommendations:

• Ampicillin
• Third-generation cephalosporin plus Vancomycin
• Third-generation cephalosporin or Fluoroquinolone
• Chloramphenicol

Question 6

Infective Endocarditis

Answer 6

Causative Agent: Staphylococcus Aureus, Viridans Group Streptococci and Enterococci.

Recommendation:

• Penicillin G or Ceftriaxone or Vancomycin
• Vancomycin + Gentamicin