Diarrhoea Flashcards
Describe campylobacter
Curved gram negative bacillus
Name the commonest cause of bacterial GI infection
Campylobacter
What is the incubation period of campylobacter
3-10 days
Describe the mechanism of campylobacter
Inflammation of the colon and rectum causing bloody diarrhoea.
Can campylobacter infect the blood stream
Yes (occasionally)
What is the vehicle of campylobacter?
Farm animals especially undercooked poultry
What is the management of campylobacter?
Usually self limiting- if systemic effects occur offer citrofloxacin or erythromycin for 5 days
What is the mechanism of Salmonella Enterica?
Causes inflammation of the ileum and colon. The bacteria multiply in the gut causing mucosal damage. This means there is decreased absorption and increased fluid secretion
Can salmonella enterica invade the blood steam?
Yes (occasionally)
Symptoms of campylobacter
Abdominal pain, diarrhoea (could be with or without blood)
What is the incubation period of salmonella enterica?
12-48 hours
What is the vehicle for salmonella infection?
Farm animals especially undercooked poultry
Symptoms of salmonella enterica
Abdominal pain, diarrhoea (occasionally bloody), vomiting
Management of salmonella enterica
Generally self limiting
Systemic- use ciprafloxacin for 5 days
What is the only species of Shigella spp seen in the UK?
Shigella sonnei
Mechanism of shigella
Invades intestinal mucosa causing severe inflammation but does not invade further.
What would be seen in stools of a person with shigella?
Blood and pus cells
What is the incubation period of shigella?
1-9 days
How is shigella spread?
Human contact- common amongst young children at school.
Management of shigella
Self limiting
Why is Escherichia Coli O157 called ‘O157’?
O antigen on the surface
What does E.coli do to the body?
They produce a toxin (verotoxin or VTEC) that damages red blood cells and the kidney. There is an increase in blood urea, red cell haemolysis and thrombocytopenia.
Who are most effected by E coli?
The elderly and young children.
Symptoms of E.coli?
Abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea
Vehicle of E.coli
Part of the normal gut flora of cattle.
There is an increased risk when eating meat or visiting farms