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PATHOPHYSIOLOGY > Infection > Flashcards

Infection Flashcards

1
Q

Define a pathogen

A

A disease causing microorganism

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2
Q

Name three types of microorganism which can cause infectious disease

A

Bacteria, viruses and fungi

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3
Q

Describe the bodies ‘microbiome’

A

The microbiome refers to the parts of the body which are connected to the outside environment and become colinised by microbes soon after birth. These microbes are harmless.

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4
Q

Define ‘free living’

A

Something which can live successfully outside of the body

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5
Q

Do bacteria have a nucleus?

A

No they are prokaryotic. However they do carry DNA which is coiled.

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6
Q

Give three examples of common bacteria and the infections they cause:

A

E coli- diarrhoea, UTI’s, respiratory disease, sepsis
Staphyloccocus Aureus- skin infections, pheumonia, sepsis, endocarditis
Clostridium dificile: diarrhoea, colitus

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7
Q

Bacteria are free living - true or false

A

True

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8
Q

Viruses are free living- true or false

A

False

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9
Q

Viruses can also be known as…

A

Intracellular parasites

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10
Q

How do viruses multiply?

A

They invade body cells which allow for them to replicate

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11
Q

Funghi are free living - true or false

A

True

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12
Q

How do fungi cause damage?

A

By invading body tissues and releasing digestive enzymes

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13
Q

Protozoa are free living true or false?

A

Both- some are free living but others rely on body cells and are important parasites of humans

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14
Q

Name the 6 stages in the chain of infection and briefly describe each stage.

A
  1. Organism: the pathogenic microorganism
  2. Reservoir: the source of the infection e.g. dirty door handle
  3. Portal of exit: how the microorganism leaves the body of the host e.g. vomiting or sneezing
  4. Transmission: how the microorganism is passed on e.g. airborne transmission, direct contact
  5. Portal of entry: how the microorganism enters the body of the host e.g. wound, bite, catheter
  6. Vulnerable host: the individual who becomes susceptible to the microorganism
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15
Q

Give two ways in which invading microorganisms may cause injury:

A

By targeting the bodies own immune system leading to immunodeficiency
By releasing toxins

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16
Q

What are the 5 stages of illness?

A
  1. Incubation period: pathogen begins to replicate but symptoms are not yet visible
  2. Prodromal phase: initial appearance of vague symptoms e.g. tiredness
  3. Acute stage: maximum impact of infection. Symptoms are obvious and usually specific.
  4. Convalescent period: Infection is contained and progressively eliminated.
  5. Resolution: Pathogen is eliminated from the body.
17
Q

Define Sepsis

A

A life threatening organ dysfunction caused by an unregulated immune response to infection

18
Q

Give 5 risk factors for developing sepsis

A
  1. age >65 years
  2. alcoholism
  3. diabetes
  4. recent surgery
  5. IV drug user
  6. pregnancy or recent pregnancy
  7. haemodialysis
19
Q

Which three things are activated following initial infection within Septic patients?

A

The coagulation system, complement activation and the activation of neutrophils and monocytes.

20
Q

How does organ failure occur in septic patients?

A

The endothelium of body cells allows for increased vascular permiability and vasodilation leading to excessive fluid loss from the blood and therefore blood volume reduction. This causes a low blood pressure meaning that bodily organs are unlikely to be receiving the amount of oxygen they need to perform their specific functions.

21
Q

What is included in the sepsis 6 bundle?

A
  1. Give oxygen- to increase O2 saturations
  2. Take blood cultures- to determine infection present
  3. Give IV antibiotics- to target infection
  4. Give IV fluids- to increase blood pressure
  5. Measure lactate levels- to monitor O2 therapy and IV fluid
  6. Monitor urine output- to monitor response to treatment
22
Q

What is the definition of a commensal microorganism?

A

A microorganism which usually lives harmlessly on our bodies

23
Q

What does CRP stand for and what does it measure?

A

C-reactive protein. A blood test which measures levels of protein which are released upon inflammation or infection.

24
Q

What does ESR stand for and what does it measure?

A

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A blood test which measures how quickly red blood cells settle. They quicker the settling rate, the higher the inflammation within the body.

25
Q

Name two bacteria causing sepsis

A

Staphyloccocus Aureus and E coli

26
Q

Name two funghi causing sepsis

A

Candida and aspergillus

27
Q

Which strain of bacteria is most likely to cause sepsis within the post partum period for new born babies?

A

Streptococci bacteria

28
Q

Give three features of bacteria

A

Single celled organisms
Grow rapidly
Produce poisons and toxins which cause tissue damage
Can be defined as gram+ or gram-

29
Q

What is meant by bacteria which is gram+

A

It will take up a stain or dye which helps to determine what sort of bacteria it is

30
Q

Give three features of a virus

A

Require a host cell
Are coated in a protein containing DNA and RNA
Aim to reproduce using host cells
Find host cells by matching receptors

31
Q

Give three features of protozoa

A

Free living organisms
Single celled
Infect opportunistically

32
Q

Give three features of funghi

A

Grow as thread like filaments
Commonly seen in immunocompromised patients
Can cause other opportunistic infections
Multi cellular organisms

33
Q

Describe a parasite

A

A pathogen which lives directly off a host. May require a vector to travel to the host initially.

34
Q

Briefly describe a prion

A

Typically affecting the nervous system, prions cause proteins to become ‘folded’ and abnormal.

35
Q

Give four modes of transmission

A

Direct contact
Faecel oral
Airborne
Droplet

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (14 decks)

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