GI Infection Flashcards
What happens to the aerobic conditions as you go further along the gut?
Conditions become more anaerobic (e.g. in colon basically completely anaerobic)
Why do lots of people on antibiotics get Clostridium difficile?
Antibiotics kill lots of healthy normal bacteria in the gut which normally outcompete invading bacteria
What are Peyer’s patches?
Patches of lymphatic tissue which take samples of bacteria and see if they’re normal or if an immune response should be launched against them
What are the symptoms of viral gastroenteritis? How is it spread and how long does it last?
. Explosive diarrhoea and vomiting
. Spread faeco-orally, incubation of 24-48 hours
How is gastroenteritis detected? How is it treated?
. Antigen testing or PCR
. Just have to wait for symptoms to pass= supportive care e.g. rehydration
Most people carry E.coli bacteria. When can it be harmful?
. If specific strain of E.coli has virulence factors –> diarrhoea
. If E.coli gets into bloodstream, it can cause sepsis
Where is campylobacter acquired and how does it present? How long does it last?
. Acquired from raw/poorly cooked food, especially chicken
. Present with diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, vomiting
.Incubation 2-5 days
How do you test for campylobacter?
Culture with selective agar (use specific growth conditions i.e. reduced oxygen for anaerobic conditions)
Give one symptom of shigella
Blood diarrhoea, HUS (haemolytic uremic syndrome)
Why can Clostridium difficile be so easy to spread?
People can be carriers of C. difficile without having the symptoms
What is the overall best way of diagnosing a GI infection?
History and stool sample!
