Infection: Introduction

Question 1

What investigations would you do if you suspected a pt had an infection?

Answer 1

• full blood count
• c reactive protein
• liver and kidney function tests
• imaging eg CXR, USS, MRI

Question 2

What are bacteriophages?

Answer 2

A virus that infects and replicates inside a bacterium - they can transfer DNA between bacteria and spread resistance

Question 3

Whats the difference between gram positive and gram negative bacteria in terms of structure?

Answer 3

Due to differences in the cell wall:
Gram positive have a thick peptidoglycan cell wall
Gram negative have a thin peptidoglycan layer then a liposaccharide outer membrane