Gram-negative cocci Flashcards
Where do you find N. meningitides?
Upper respiratory tract commensal in 10% of people (25% of adolescents) adhering to non-ciliated epithelial cells in nasopharynx and tonsils.
What are the features of N.meningitides?
Incubation 2–7d.
Peak ages: <2yr, ~18yr.
Risk factors: complement system defects, hyposplenism
What can N.meningitides present as?
meningitis
septicaemia
What does Moraxella catarrhalis do?
Colonizes upper respiratory tract in children (↓ in adults).
What is the presentaion of Moraxella?
Resembles Neisseria commensal so may be overlooked
Presentation: pneumonia, exacerbation of COPD, up to 20% of acute otitis media, sinusitis. Bacteraemia is rare.
How would you diagnose Moraxella?
Culture of sputum, ear effusion, sinus aspirate, blood.
‘Hockey puck sign’: colonies can be pushed along agar surface without disruption.
How do you treat Moraxella?
Macrolide, cephalosporin.
