Infection (textbook)

Question 1

How is infection spread?

Answer 1

1. Direct inoculation
2. Direct spread from a contiguous focus
3. Haematogenous

Question 2

Name the classic signs of inflammation

Answer 2

Redness
Swelling
Heat
Pain 
Loss of function

Question 3

Why is bone more susceptible to complications of infection than soft tissue?

Answer 3

Bone consists of a collection of rigid compartments and pressure in acute inflammation leads to vascular damage and cell death

Question 4

Name local factors that predispose to infection

Answer 4

Trauma
Scar tissue
Poor circulation
Diminished sensibility
Chronic bone/joint disease
Foreign bodies

Question 5

Name systemic factors that predispose to infection

Answer 5

Malnutrition
Immunosuppression
Diabetes
Rheumatoid arthritis

Question 6

Name causative organisms of acute haematogenous osteomyelitis

Answer 6

Most common - Staphylococcus aureus
Less common - gram positive cocci
- strep pyogenes
- strep agalactiae 
- strep pneumoniae 
- haemophilus influenza (now reduced due to vaccine)
Least common - gram negative 
- e.coli
- pseudomonas
- proteus mirabilis 
- bacteroides fragilis

Question 7

Patients with sickle cell disease are prone to osteomyelitis infection by which organism?

Answer 7

Salmonella typhi