Enteric Bacteria + Viruses Flashcards
Describe how faeces samples are processed in MMUH
All our testing is molecular based
We don’t initially put up plates for anything
We use PCR based methods through either the GeneXpert or the Enteric Bio + Roche Light Cycler
Plates only put up after IDing certain organisms such as Salmonella, Shigella, Cholera etc
What would be the most probable organism in a liquid/bloody diarrhea sample?
Shigella or VTEC
What enteric organisms are notifiable diseases
All are notifiable
C. diff, Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter etc
For how long are samples kept
For 2 weeks
What must be done with any A&E samples?
Any liquid A&E samples must have a C.diff toxin test added on
Screen for C.diff
What should be done with a 3+ day old sample?
Sample should be rejected
When booking in any samples for C. diff testing what should you keep an eye out for?
Appearance of sample -> can reject sample if not liquid
Check to see if there has been a previous positive C. diff within 4 week -> can reject sample if there is
How do we describe the appearance of samples?
Liquid
Soft
Semiliquid
Formed
Solid
What are the different tests that can be requested for enterics in MMUH
(5)
Gastro Panel 2 (Gastric panel)
C. Diff
Norovirus
Occult blood
Ovum parasites
What organisms are included in the Enteric Bio Gastro Panel 2?
Salmonella
Shigella
Campylobacter
Verotoxin producing E. Coli
Giardia
Cryptosporidium
How do we test for C. diff and norovirus?
Using Gene Xpert
Describe C. diff (4)
Clostridiodes Difficile
Anaerobic spore forming GPB
Farmyard Smell
Part of normal gut flora
Describe C. diff spores
Even though C. diff is an anaerobe the spores can survive in aerobic conditions
Spores can survive harsh environments
Spores can contaminate surfaces
How does C. diff cause infection
C. diff is part of normal gut flora in low numbers
C. diff infection is caused by disruption in gut microbiome resulting in overgrowth of C. diff
Microbiome disruption can be caused by any antibiotic but very high risk is associated with Clindamycin
What antibiotic is most associated with C. diff infection
Clindamycin
How does Clindamycin cause C. diff infection?
Clindamycin inhibits protein synthesis by attacking the 50s ribosomal subunit in bacteria which stops growth
Clindamycin will kill all other gut bacteria other than C. diff
How is C, diff transmitted
Often a hospital acquired infection
Spread through hygiene routes in healthcare setting e.g. hands of healthcare workers
What are the symptoms of C, diff
Liquid diarrhoea
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Fever
If you were to culture C. diff how would you do so
C. diff will grow on blood agar anaerobically
Can put up a metronidazole disc to prove anaerobic
What are some of the complications of C. diff
Toxic megacolon whereby the colon swells and may even burst to cause systemic infection
Pseudomembranous colitis -> due to prolonged inflammation + toxins + cytokines -> only found through colonoscopy and staining
Can cause systemic infection in the immunocompromised resulting in fever and hypotensive tachycardia
What are the virulence pathways of C. diff, how exactly does it cause symptoms etc
Toxin A or Toxin B producing C. diff attacks and invades enteric cells
Toxin A = enterotoxin
Toxin B = cytotoxin
How can you confirm ID of C. diff
Antigen test for glutamate dehydrogenase
Culture on anaerobic blood agar + metronidazole
Describe the use of antigen tests for C. diff
Some hospitals use a glutamate dehydrogenase antigen test to screen any samples for C. diff
Only antigen + samples will then go for GeneXpert to identify if toxin A or toxin B producing
What are the genes of interest for C. diff and what do they encode
tcdA => toxin A => enterotoxin
tcdB => toxin B = cytotoxin
What do we do with positive C. diffs?
C. diff positives are frozen for ribocyclin -> whole genome sequencing -> this is to genetically type the C. diff for epidemiology trends and stats etc -> useful in tracing an outbreak etc
Any positive patients are isolated from other patients -> put in a shared ward together
The C. diff genes tcdA and tcdB are part of what gene locus
PaLoc
What resistance is seen in C. Diff
Fluoroquinolone-resistance
How is C, diff genes detected
Using real-time PCR on the GeneXpert
Talk about Campylobacter
Microaerophilic GNB
S-shaped/Gullwing bacilli
Motile
Prone to drying out
Talk about Campylobacter infection
Most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis
90% of Camp gastroenteritis caused by C. jejuni
Where is Campylobacter found?
Prefers having a host organism
Found in birds and stray dogs
How is Campylobacter spread?
Spread via contaminated food or water
What are the symptoms of Campylobacter?
Diarrhoea
Abdominal pain
Fever within 2-5days after ingestion
Illness which lasts between 2-5 days or up to 10 days
How does Campylobacter cause infection?
Motile + S shape allows for penetration of gastrointestinal mucus
Once adhered to enterocytes it destroys the lining of the gut by use of enterotoxins and cytotoxins
What are the affects of Campylobacter infection?
In 1/1000 infections it can cause Guillain-Barre syndrome through molecular mimicry of antigens present on the myelin sheath of the brain -> results in muscle weakness and even paralysis
How do we detect Campylobacter
Entericbio Multiplex PCR amplification and hybridisation using Gastro Panel 2 and Light Cycler 480
Detection of the HipO gene?
How can we confirm a Campylobacter?
CCDA put up with CampyGen sachet to provide ideal anaerobic conditions
What is CCDA and how does Campylobacter grow on it
Charcoal Cefoperozone Deoxycholate agar specific for Campylobacter
Contains a cocktail of antibiotics which prevent the growth of other gut flora
Camp grows as very small pinpoint grey colonies