Gastro intestinal infections Flashcards
What bacteria causes cholera
Vibrio Cholera (diarrhoeal infection)
What is the name for the winter vomiting disease
Norovirus
What disease do aflatoxins cause
Acute hepatitis/liver cancer
What bodily feature does BSE affect
Gastro intestinal tract
What are the pathogens involed in
-Vibro cholera
-Norovirus
-Mycotoxins
-Cryptosporidium
-Prions
Bacterial
Viral
Fungal
Parasites
Prions
What is the chain of infection for C.difficile
Bacteria: C. difficile
Pathogen: Bacteria and bacterial spores
Reservoir: GIT, food
Portal of exit: faeces
Means of transmission: Faecal-oral (spores)
Portal of entry: oral
Susceptible hosts: Prior antibiotic therapy, elderly, hospitalized, prior C. diff, immunocompromised
What is the most common bacterial cause of GI infects in adults
C. difficile
What type of bacteria is C.difficile
Gram-positive anaerobic bacillus
What are the antibiotics most frequently associated with C. difficile infection
Clindamycin
Co-amoxiclav
Ciprofloxacin
Cephalosporins
What is the main site of action of C.difficile
The colon
What factors lead to CDI
The bowel flora must be altered
The bowel must be colonized with a toxigenic strain
The organism must grow and produce toxins
What is the reservoir for C. difficile
GIT and food
What are some characteristics of spores
Resistant to various detergents and disinfectants - including alcohol based hand rubs
Able to survive for extended periods
in the environment (several months)
Symptomatic CDI pts shed spores via faeces into the environment at high rate
When can syptoms occur for C .diff when taking antibiotics
For up to 8 weeks AFTER discontinuation of antibiotic
How can the chain of infection be broken for C. diff
Recognise symptoms early/identify microorganisms correctly (infectious agent)
Review antibiotics (reservoir - Gut)
Use PPE/hand hygeine (Portal of entry)
Isolation/decontamination of surfaces and equipment (Mode of transmission
Handle and dispose of secretions properly/hand hygeine/ decontamination (portal of exit)
What patients are high risk for C. diff
Antibiotic exposure
Older patients
Weakened immune systems
Previous history of disease
Recent stay at hospital or nursing home
What is the infection period of norovirus
12-48 hours
What are the occupational health guidelines for Norovirus
Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are not effective against norovirus.
Stay at home.
Do not return to work until 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped.
