GI infections

Question 1

What are the main causative organisms in bacterial diarrhoea

Answer 1

• Campylobacter
• Salmonella
• Shigella
• E. Coli
• Vibrio cholerae

Question 2

What are the main organisms involved in diarrhoea due to toxin ingestion

Answer 2

• Clonstridium perfringens
• Bacillus cereus
• Staph aureus
• Clonstridium botulinum (neurotoxin - not in the gut)

Question 3

What is the main causative organism in antibiotic diarrhoea

Answer 3

-Clonstridium difficile

Question 4

What are the main viruses associated with GI infection

Answer 4

• Norovirus

- Rotavirus - children and developed world

Question 5

What are the two main parasites involved in GI infections

Answer 5

• Giardia

- Cryptosporidium

Question 6

What are the common features of GI infection

Answer 6

• Vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, weight loss
• Food, water, person to person
• Site- colon/ ileum
• Short incubation period if toxin is preformed or a virus
• Longer incubation period for bacteria (have to reproduce)

Question 7

Describe the features of C. Diff

Answer 7

• Gram positive , sporing , anaerobic rod
• Major cause of antibiotic associated colitis
• Giving abs alters gut flora - C Diff proliferates and excretes toxins A and B
• Most severe form= pseudomembranous C Diff

Management

• Examined faecal samples - it is slow to grow so usually treated with VANCOMYCIN before tests are back
• Nursed with BARRIER PROTECTION- spores survive alcohol exposure
• Oral metronidazole or oral vancomycin