Haemophilus

Question 1

what is the biology of heamophilus?

Answer 1

Pleomorphic GNB *

Question 2

what are the Medically imp. species of haemophilus?

Answer 2

• Haemophilus influenzae *
• H. ducreyi
• H. aegypticus

Question 3

apart from pleomorphic, haemophilus can as well be identified other times in what shape?

Answer 3

coccobacilli

Question 4

fastidious haemophilus influenzae has 2 important factors?

Answer 4

Hemin (factor X) and NAD (factor V) *

Question 5

what agar is used to identify haemophilus influenzae?

Answer 5

chocolate blood agar

Question 6

where is haemophilus influenzae found normally in the body?

Answer 6

nasopharynx

Question 7

what strains of haemphilus are more virulent?

Answer 7

encapsulated strains

Question 8

how does haemophilus influenzae spread?

Answer 8

respiratory droplets

Question 9

what is the 2nd encapsulated strain of haemophilus influenzae?

Answer 9

Type b

Question 10

what is the type B capsule made of?

Answer 10

polyribitol phosphate (PRP) *

Question 11

what test used to diagnose type B haemophilus influenzae?

Answer 11

CSF antigen screens *

Question 12

haemophilus influenza capsule is used for what purpose medically?

Answer 12

vaccination

Question 13

does H. influenzae have IgA protease *? what does it do?

Answer 13

yes; Degrades secretory IgA facilitating colonization of upper respiratory mucosa

Question 14

Colonization of upper respiratory mucosa may lead to continous spread causing what?

Answer 14

• Sinusitis, otitis media
• Epiglottitis
• Bronchopneumonia

Question 15

if h. influenzae becomes bacterimic, it will lead to what?

Answer 15

• Meningitis
• Septic arthritis

Question 16

what diseases does Haemophilus influenzae cause?

Answer 16

• Otitis media , Sinusitis *
• Bronchitis, Pneumonia * (NTHi)
• Meningitis *
• Epiglottitis * - Life-threatening emergency
• Cellulitis
• Septic arthritis

Question 17

who is susceptible to meningitis due to h. influenzae?

Answer 17

unvaccinated children (3 months to 2 years)

Question 18

what is a good way to confirm a meningitis diagnosis due to h. influenzae?

Answer 18

CSF gram stain * – showing gram negative coccobacilli

Question 20

what is the treatment for meningitis due to h. influenzae?

Answer 20

Ceftriaxone

Question 21

what is the treatment for sinusitis due to h. influenzae?

Answer 21

ampicillin

Question 22

what is the treatment for otitis media due to h. influenzae?

Answer 22

ampicillin

Question 23

what two other haemophilus species are there?

Answer 23

H. aegyptius *

H. ducreyi *

Question 24

what does H. aegyptius * cause?

Answer 24

purulent conjunctivitis, “pink eye”

Question 25

what does H. ducreyi * cause?

Answer 25

Genital ulcers – “Chancroid”, an STD *

• Soft, painful ulcer
• Open lesions increase transmission of HIV

Question 26

H. ducreyi caused genital ulcers are treated with what?

Answer 26

erythromycin

Question 27

how does H. ducreyi spread?

Answer 27

sexually transmitted