Infection and Immunity Flashcards
definition of pneumonia
lung infection with NEW consolidation seen on X-ray
causes of pneumonia
streptococcus pneumoniae (80% of cases) haemophilus influenzae (common in COPD patients) klebsiella pneumoniae (seen in alcoholics) pneumocystis jiroveci (seen in HIV patients)
CURB-65
used to assess severity of a patient with pneumonia
Confusion (new) AMT <8/10
Urea >7mmol/l
Respiratory rate > 30/min
Blood pressure <90 systolic or <60 diastolic
65 or older
if patient scores 2 or higher then admit to hospital
what antibiotics based on CURB score?
CURB 1 - amoxicillin
CURB 2 - amoxicillin and doxycycline
CURB 3 = co-amoxiclav and doxycycline
mumps
RBA paramyxovirus
MMR vaccine has an efficacy of ~80%
spread by droplets (infective seven days before and 9 days after parotid swelling starts) incubation period is 14-21days
symptoms: fever, malaise, muscular pain, parotitis (becomes bilateral in 70% of cases)
Rx: rest, paracetamol. is a notifiable disease
Gell and Coombs classification for hypersensitivity reactions
Type I - ANAPHYLACTIC - IgE, anaphylaxis and atopy (eczema and asthma)
Type II - CELL BOUND - IgG/IgM - AI haemolytic anaemia, Goodpasture’, rheumatic fever, acute haemolytic transfusion reaction
Type III - IMMUNE COMPLEX - IgG/IgA - SLE, post-strep glomerulonephritis
Type IV - DELAYED T CELL MEDIATED - GvHD, allergic contact dermatitis, MS
Type V - ANTIBODIES - Grave’s disease, Myasthenia Gravis
post-op pyrexia causes
early (0-5 days): blood transfusion, cellulitis, UTI, physiological systemic inflammatory infection, pulmonary atelectasis, hyperthermia post GA
late (5+ days): VTE, pneumonia, wound infection, anastomotic leak
chance of contracting hepatitis and HIV from a needlestick injury
Hep B > Hep C > HIV
1:3 > 1:30 > 1:300
hepatitis screen
HBsAg (shows if actively infected) positive in acute and chronic infections
anti-HBsAg (shows immunity) positive in resolved infections or if vaccinated
IgG anti-HBsAg (shows own immune response, takes time to develop) positive in chronic or resolved infections
the immune system
INNATE: 1st and 2nd line of defence
1st line: physical (skin, mucous membranes, cilia), physiological (coughs, sneezing, vomiting), chemical (low pH, Ig__) and biological (normal flora)
2nd line: phagocytes and chemicals (complement, cytokines and chemokines)
ADAPTIVE: antigen presenting cells
- dendritic cells (LN, mucous membranes and blood, presents to T and B cells)
- langerhan cells (skin, presents to T cells)
- macrophages (various tissues, presents to T cells)
- B cells (lymphoid tissue - produce own IgM - presents to T cells)
features of human leukocyte antigen
HLA’s are:
- co-dominantly expressed so offspring has more versions than parents
- are polymorphic so aren’t specific
- have a variable protein binding cleft so have a broad specificity
major histocompatibility complex classes
Class I - found on all nucleated cells, endogenous pathway (presents peptides from intracellular microbes) CD8 and CD4 cells
Class II - only found on APCs, exogenous pathway (presents extracellular microbes by phagocytosis) CD4 cells
problems with MHC include cross-reactivity when the antigen is similar to the endogenous cell = AI disease e.g. T1DM, strep (pyrogenes) throat leading to rheumatic fever and heart disease
CD4 vs CD8 cells
CD4 cells (aka T helper cells) activate CD8 cells and plasma cells (which produce antibodies) and creates T memory cell CD8 (cytotoxic T cells) punch holes in the microbe to destroy it
which immunoglobin contributes to neonatal immunity?
IgG
which immunoglobulin is passed to baby in breast milk?
IgA
which is the first immunoglobulin to be secreted in response to infection?
IgM
which immunoglobulin is responsible for mediating type 1 hypersensitivity reactions and mast cell degranulation?
IgE
severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
X-linked
infections are severe, persistence, in unusual sites, recurrent
defect prevents the formation of T cells. failure to thrive, increased fungal infections, pneumocystis pneumonia and EBV
cannot give live vaccines and blood products must be eradicated before giving
stem cell transplantation may be successful
DiGeorge syndrome
22p11.2 deletion, failure to develop 3rd and 4th pharyngeal pouches
common features include congenital heart defects (e.g. tetralogy of fallot), learning difficulties, hypocalcaemia, recurrent viral and fungal infections and cleft palate.
HIV
virus penetrated CD4 cells and releases it’s RNA which is converted to DNA by reverse transcriptase and inserted into the host cell DNA, the host cell DNA is translated and transcribed producing more HIV cells.
features: typically 3-12 weeks post-infection, with a glandular fever type illness
diagnosis: HIV PCR and p24 antigen test
ELISA test and confirmatory Western Blot Assay
HIV treatment
HAART = 2 x NRTI and 1 x NNRTI or PI
NRTI (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, except tenofovir which is a nucleotide RTI) e.g. emtricitabine or abacavir. ADR: peripheral neuropathy
PI (protease inhibitors - inhibit viral protease required for viral assembly) e.g. ritonavir and indinavir. ADR: rashes, central obesity
NNRTI (non-competitive reverse transcriptase inhibitor) e.g. nevirapine (used in pregnancy to prevent transmission)
integrase inhibitors (prevent integration of transcribed viral DNA into host genome) e.g. raltegravir CCR5 receptor antagonists (prevent HIV-1 from entering and infecting immune cells by blocking CCR5 cell surface receptors) e.g. maraviroc
Malaria
commonest and most dangerous is plasmodium falciparum (Rx: artemether)
plasmodium vivax is second most common (Rx for all non-falciform: chloroquine)
Hepatitis A
RNA picornavirus
incubation period 2-4 weeks
faecal-oral spread (associated with infected shellfish)
usually self limiting
is a vaccine available for those living in endemic areas, are immunocompromised or at a particular risk (MSM< IVDU, occupational hazard)
Hepatitis B
dsDNA hepadnaviral
incubation period is 6-20 weeks
transmitted via bodily fluids (but not through breast milk)
vaccine in the UK for children and at risk groups (IVDU, healthcare staff, prisioners) anti-HBs used to determine if vaccine dose is adequate
treatment: PEGylated interferon alpha (reduced viral replication) and tenofovir + entecavir (suppresses viral replication)
Hepatitis C
ssRNA enveloped virus (flavivirus)
incubation period 6-9 weeks
transmitted via bodily fluids (but not through breast milk)
55-85% will develop chronic Hep C
at risk groups are IVDU and pts who had a blood transfusion before 1991
Rx: protease inhibitors (daclatasvir/simeprevir and sofosbuvir) +/- ribavirin (teratogenic so must wait 6 months before conceiving)
Hepatitis D
ssRNA
requires hepatitis B surface antigen so is either a co-infection or a superinfection
is transmitted via exchange of bodily fluids
Rx: interferon
Hepatitis E
ssRNA
faecal-oral route of infection (associated with contaminated water)
incubation period id 3-8 weeks
usually self limiting but carries a 20% mortality rate if pregnant
Tetanus
caused by the tetanospasmin exotoxin released from clostridium tetani. spores are present in the soil and may be introduced via a wound. prevents GABA release.
features: prodrome fever, lethargy, headache, spasms, lockjaw, dysphagia
Rx: supportive (including ventilation), IM tetanus immunoglobin, metronidazole ABx
vaccine is given to UK children routinely, provides 5 doses which is considered adequate for long term cover, the vaccine contains cell-free purified toxin.
define sepsis
the life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to an infection
sepsis six
(BUFALO)
blood culture
urine output
fluids - fluid challenge unless CI
antibiotics - broad spectrum (e.g. meropenem) initially
lactate
oxygen - high flow, aim for >94% unless COPD
neutropenic sepsis
a common complication of chemotherapy, typically occurs 7-14 days after
neutrophil count of <0.05^10*9 in a patient having cancer treatment and has a temperature >38 or other signs/symptoms consistent with sepsis
prophylaxis: fluoroquinolone
Rx: immediate ABx - tazocin, if still unwell after 48hrs try meropenem +/- vancomycin, if still unwell after 4-6 days look for a fungal infection