Hemophilus, Bordatella, Legionella (Ch3) Flashcards
What are the characteristics of Haemophilus Influenzae?
- Small gram-negative pleomorphic coccobacilli
- Facultative anaerobe
- No flagella
- Non-motile
- Non-spore forming
- Can be divided into 17 subspecies depending on nutritional requirements like Factor X (hemin) and factor V (NAD)
- Must be grown on chocolate agar (Fastidious organism)
- Can be encapsulated (Type a—> Type f) or non-encapsulated (Most cases)
What are the species of Haemophilus?
• H. influenzae
• H. ducreyi (soft chancre)
• H. aegypticus (purulent conjunctivitis)
What is the reservoir for Haemophilus influenzae type b?
Human reservoir. Some can be asymptomatic carriers.
How is Haemophilus influenzae transmitted?
Via respiratory droplets
What is the temporal pattern for the emergence for H. influenzae type b?
Sept-Dec and March-May
What are the risk factors for H. influenzae type b?
- Crowded houses
- Childcare (hygiene)
- Low socioeconomic status (hygiene/crowding)
- Low parental education
- School-age siblings
What are the virulence factors of Haemophilus influenzae type b?
- Capsule: composed of Polyribitol phosphate (PRP)
- Lipid A (endotoxin released into bloodstream)
- IgA proteases: inhibits opsonization by IgA which is present in paranasal mucosal secretions
What are the two strains of Haemophilus influenzae that particularly cause infections? Compare their features.
-
Nontypeable strains
• More common (in infants)
• Unencapsulated
• Cause local mucosal infections (Otitis media, sinusitis, exacerbation of COPD)
• No vaccine available -
Type b strains
• Uncommon
• PRP capsule
• Cause invasive infections (Meningitis, epiglottis) in children
• Has highly effective PRP conjugate vaccines
What is the pathogenesis of Hib?
- Haemophilus influenzae enters via respiratory secretions
- The LOS and glycoprotein of the bacteria impair the ciliary function of the oropharynx (usually pushes bacteria out of respiratory tract)
- Bacteria passes across the endothelial and epithelial cells and enters the blood
- If the person is immunocompromised, bacteremia causes meningitis
What clinical manifestation is a major indicator of Hib?
Epiglottitis (since it is rarely seen in other infections)
What are the manifestations of Hib associated cellulitis?
- Fever
- Warm, raised, tender reddish areas most often located on one check or in periorbetal region (around eyes)
What skin complications could occur to unvaccinated pediatric populations due to Hib?
- Severe vasculitis with DIC and gangrene
- Swollen skin
What are the diseases associated with Hib? What are their associated symptoms?
- Epiglottitis: sore throat, fever, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), difficulty breathing, drooling, difficulty talking
- Bacteremia: fever, anorexia, lethargy
- Meningitis: headache, altered mental status, difficulty waking up, fever, drowsiness, photophobia, neck stiffness, seizures and coma
- Cellulitis: raised tender areas of violaceous kind
- Osteomyelitis: pain and swelling in affected area, fever
- Septic Arthritis: pain in joints, swelling, decreased mobility
What are the diseases associated with nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae?
• Otitis Media
• Conjunctivitis
• Sinusitis
• Exacerbation of chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease
• Community Acquired Pneumonia
• Acute respiratory tract infections in children
• Neonatal and Maternal sepsis (50% mortality)
• Bacteremia and invasive infections
Symptoms: headache, altered mental status, difficulty waking up, fever, drowsiness, photophobia, neck
stiffness, seizures and coma
Meningitis (Hib)
Symptoms: sore throat, fever, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), difficulty breathing, drooling,
difficulty talking
Epiglottis (Hib)
Symptoms: runny nose, cough at night, swelling around the eyes, headache, fever.
Sinusitis (Nontypeable H. influenzae)
Symptoms: runny nose, cough at night, swelling around the eyes, headache, fever.
Sinusitis (Nontypeable H. influenzae)
Which Hib manifestation was the most common in cases prevaccine?
Haemophilus influenzae type b Meningitis accounted for approximately 50%-65% of cases in the prevaccine era
What of the treatment of Hib?
After hospitalization, treatment with an effective 3rd generation cephalosporin
What is the purpose of active immunization with purified capsular polysaccharide (PRP)?
The purpose is to provide protection against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease using active immunization with purified capsular PRP
What is the recommended schedule for administering the vaccine against Hib disease?
The recommended schedule is three doses before the age of 6 months, followed by booster doses at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12-15 months of age.
What are the benefits of the PRP conjugate vaccine?
- Stimulates T-dependent immunity
- Enhanced antibody production, especially in young children
- Repeat doses elicit booster response
What is the causative agent of chancroid?
Haemophilus ducreyi is the causative agent of chancroid.
What is the hallmark symptom of chancroid?
The hallmark symptom of chancroid is genital ulceration.
How does chancroid typically present?
Around 5 to 7 days after exposure, a tender papule with an erythematous base develops on the genitalia or perianal area. Within 2 days, the lesion ulcerates, becomes painful, and may be accompanied by inguinal lymphadenopathy.
How is chancroid diagnosed?
The diagnosis of chancroid is generally made based on the clinical presentation. A soft, very painful chancre (ulcer) in the genital area is characteristic of chancroid.
What are some Haemophilus species and the conditions they are associated with?
H. aegyptius is associated with conjunctivitis, H. ducreyi is associated with chancroid, H. parainfluenzae is associated with bacteremia, endocarditis, and opportunistic infections, H. haemolyticus is associated with opportunistic infections, and H. parahaemolyticus is also associated with opportunistic infections.