Haem, Immunology and ID Flashcards
Sx of Polycythaemia Vera?
Pruitis particularly after a hot bath, splenomegaly, HTN, hyperviscosity (due to the increase in RBCs) and haemorrhages (due to abnormal platelet function)
What is seen on investigation of polycythaemia vera?
Jak 2 mutation
Increased Hb and haematocrit, WCC and platelets may be high
Low ESR
Mx of polycythaemia?
Low dose aspirin daily
Venesection = 1st line
Mx of chlamydia?
1st line = 7 days PO Doxycycline
2nd line/if pregnant = Azithromycin PO single dose
What should you always do with any under 24 year old presenting with unexplained petechiae or hepatosplenomegaly?
Immediately refer for specialist assessment to rule out leukaemia
When should we test for HIV? What test do we use?
Test at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after the possible exposure with a combination of antibody and antigen testing.
If positive after 4 weeks start on antiretrovirals immediately but still do confirmation test at 12 weeks
How should you treat adults over 50 for meningitis? When should you consider using vancomycin?
All adults >50 should be managed with IV cefotaxime and amoxicillin
Consider Vanc in any patient who has been outside the UK in the previous 3/12 or has used other antibiotics in the last 3/12
What is a syphilis chancre?
A single painless, indurated ulcer in the anus, mouth, vagina or penis.
What causes syphilis? How do we treat?
Treponema Pallidum
Mx = IM benzathine benzylpenicillin
Which conditions are spherocytes seen in? How can you differentiate clinically between the 2?
Hereditary spherocytosis and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
Hereditary spherocytosis = mild chronic anaemia
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia = severe acute anaemia
Describe Hereditary Spherocytosis?
Most common inherited form of haemolytic anaemia. AD.
Sx = jaundice, gallstones, splenomegaly and aplastic crisis in the presence of Parovirus B19
Ix = raised MCHC on FBC, spherocytes seen, increased reticulocytes
Mx = folate supplementation and splenectomy
Describe G6PD deficiency?
X-linked recessive
Sx = jaundice, anaemia, splenomegaly and gall stones secondary to illness, broad (fava) beans and drugs e.g. anti-malarials
Ix = Heinz bodies seen on blood film
Describe Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia?
Autoimmune destruction of RBCs. Warm type is the most common and is idiopathic. Cold type is usually secondary to something e.g. HIV
Ix = Direct antiglobulin (Coombe’s) test positive, increased spherocytes and reticulocytes, isolated raised bilirubin (prehepatic)
Mx = Steroids, Rituximab, Blood transfusions an d splenectomy
Describe Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria?
A genetic mutation within the bone marrow
Sx = red urine in the morning containing haemoglobin and hemosiderin. Thrombosis and smooth muscle dystonia (e.g. oesophageal spasm or erectile dysfunction)
Mx = Eculizumab or bone marrow transplant
How does primary HSV infection often present (oral)?
Gingivostomatitis. Painful ulceration of the mouth and tongue
How do we manage HSV infections?
Primary oral HSV infection = oral acyclovir and chlorhexidine mouth wash
Cold sores = TOP acyclovir
Genital warts = oral acyclovir
What should you do if a primary HSV infection occurs >28 weeks of pregnancy?
Offer elective C-section and give oral acyclovir until delivery
Which Herpes virus causes oral and which causes genital herpes?
HSV 1 = oral
HSV 2 = genital
Under what circumstances should you NOT do an LP before giving antibiotics in bacterial meningitis?
If it can not be done in under 1 hours
If there are Sx of severe sepsis or a rapidly evolving rash
If there is a significant bleeding risk
If there is raised ICP
Sx of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Contiguous and asymmetrical lymphadenopathy which is painless except when drinking alcohol.
B symptoms
Ix of Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Ix = Normocytic anaemia and eosinophilia
Reed Sternberg cells aka large multinucleated cells with eosinophilic nuclei, mirror image nuclei, bilobed nuclei or owl eye appearance
Hyposplenism can be seen secondary to coeliac disease. What will be seen on blood film?
Howell-Jolly bodies and siderocytes seen on blood film
What is seen in primary, secondary and tertiary syphillis?
Primary = chancre and lymphadenopathy
Secondary = systemic illness, rash, buccal ulcers, condylomata lata
Tertiary = gummas, ascending aortic aneurysms, Argyll-Robertson pupil
What are the causes of a false negative on a Mantoux skin test?
FAILS
Fever, Anaemia, Immunosuppression, Lymphoma, Sarcoidosis
What should you give to patients receiving chemotherapy who are considered high risk of febrile neutropenia?
Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factors (G-CSF) e.g. Filgrastim
Ix and Mx of Lyme disease?
Ix = Borrelia Burgdorferi antibodies (ELISA test)
Mx = 10 days doxycycline and ceftriaxone if disseminated disease
Sx of Multiple Myeloma?
CRABBI
hyperCalcaemia, Renal failure, Anaemia, Bleeding, Bone pain, Infection
Ix of Multiple Myeloma?
Roleaux formation on a peripheral blood film
Increased plasma cells on BM aspiration
Whole body MRI
You should always send and MSU for women with a UTI when they have what?
Visible or non-visible haematuria OR are >65
But do not delay starting treatment to do this
Sx of typhoid and paratyphoid?
Sx = systemic upset, relative bradycardia, abdo pain and distension, constipation or diarrhoea and rose spots on the trunk (more seen in paratyphoid)
What further investigation should you do for all people diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia?
Ix for coeliac’s disease
What is an aplastic crisis?
Pancytopenia following Parovirus B19 infection in those with sickle cell or hereditary spherocytosis
Do you treat asymptomatic bacteriuria?
No unless they are pregnant
Should you give dexamethasone in bacterial meningitis?
Yes unless there is meningococcal septicaemia (indicated by the presence of a non-blanching rash) or patient is <3 months old
What condition should you suspect in patients with a fever on alternative days?
Malaria
Sx of Lyme Disease?
Painless bullseye rash (erythema migrans) and systemic upset. If disseminated disease = 3rd degree heart block, facial nerve palsy, myo/pericarditis and meningitis
What is the most common cause of viral meningitis?
Enteroviruses e.g. Coxsackie virus
Mx of Gonorrhoea?
1st line = IM ceftriaxone
2nd line = PO cefixime or PO ciprofloxacin
Sx of Staph aureus food poisoning?
Short incubation period and severe vomiting
Name 2 important side effects of trimethoprim? Is it safe in breastfeeding?
Hyperkalaemia and myelosuppression.
Yes it is safe when breastfeeding - nitro is not!
What is the commonest form of malaria?
Falciparum Malaria
Sx of Dengue Fever?
Fever, retro-orbital headaches, myalgia/bone pain/arthralgia, pleuritic chest pain, maculopapular rash and facial flushing
Ix and Mx of Dengue Fever?
Ix = Low WCC, low platelets and a raised ALT
Mx = supportive only
How can you differentiate between iron deficiency anaemia and anaemia of chronic disease?
Iron deficiency = low iron, high TIBC, low ferritin and low transferrin saturation
Anaemia of chronic disease = low iron, low TIBC, high ferritin and low transferrin saturation
Sx, Ix and Mx of Immune Thrombocytopenia?
Sx = Petechiae, purpura and bleeding
Ix = isolated thrombocytopenia
Mx = oral prednisolone, IVIG if active bleeding
When should you send MSU in a male with a UTI?
ALWAYS
Sx, Ix and Mx of Trichomonas Vaginalis?
Sx = offensive yellow/green frothy discharge, vulvovaginitis, strawberry cervix, pH >4.5 and urethritis in males
Ix = trophozoites on microscopy
Mx = 5-7 days oral metronidazole
Sx and Mx of Chlorea?
Sx = profuse watery diarrhoea, dehydration and hypoglycaemia
Mx = oral rehydration therapy and doxycycline/ciprofloxacin
Sx Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome?
Fever >38.9, hypotension, diffuse erythematous rash with desquamation in tampon users
Sx of Clostridium Botulinum infection?
Seen in IVDUs
Descending flaccid paralysis with bulbar palsy (slurred speech and difficulty swallowing), diplopia, ataxia and no sensory disturbance
How long should PEP be used after HIV exposure?
28 days
What can Polycythaemia Rubra Vera transform to? How can you differentiate?
AML = high WCC, low RBC and low platelets
Myelofibrosis = pancytopenia
What is the diagnosis if you have a macrocytic anaemia with an isolated raised GGT?
Alcohol XS
What is Factor V Leiden?
Most commonly inherited thrombophilia, leads to increased risk of clots.
Occurs due to activated protein C resistance
Name 5 drugs which can trigger haemolysis in G6PD deficiency?
Sulphonamides, Sulphonylureas and Sulphasalazine, Anti-Malarials and Aspirin
What is foetal hydrops?
Polyhydramnios, ascites and foetal skin oedema, often occurs secondary to Parovirus B19 infection
Describe Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia?
Anaemia, raised neutrophils and thrombocytosis (raised platelets) in the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome
Sx and Mx of Campylobacter?
Sx = headaches and malaise prodrome, bloody diarrhoea, abdo pain which may mimic appendicits
Mx = self limiting but give clarithromycin if severe of immunocompromised
Describe beta thalassaemia major?
Occurs due to mutation on Chromosome 11
Sx = microcytic anaemia with bone deformities, failure to thrive and hepatosplenomegaly in the 1st year of life
Mx = life long blood transfusions and desferoxamine iron chelation. Consider BM transplant and splenectomy
Which chromosome is affected in alpha thalassaemia? How can we treat it?
Chromosome 16.
BM transplant can be curative. Consider transfusions and splenectomy
What should you suspect if there is raised LDH in the context of anaemia?
Haemolytic anaemia
What is a sequestration crisis?
Seen in sickle cell
Blood pools in the organs (but does not occlude vessels), this leads to worsening anaemia with increased reticulocytes (in aplastic crisis reticulocytes are low)
How can EBV affect the white cells?
Increased WCC with increased lymphocytes and decreased neutrophils
When should you offer platelet transfusions?
If platelets are <30x10^9 and a clinically significant bleed or if <10x10^9 and no bleed.
What platelet level should you aim for before an invasive procedure?
> 50x10^9