Infections Flashcards
Bacterial bugs
- C.diff
- Campylobacter
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- E.coli
Viral infections
- Norovirus
- Rotavirus
Protozoal infections
- Giardia
- Cryptosporidium
C. diff features
Anaerobic spore-forming Gram +ve rod
- Toxin mediated disease
- Spread from faecal oral route
Elderly at greatest risk of disease
Clinical manifestation of C.diff
- WCC
- Renal function
- Temperature
- Evidence of colitis
Campylobacter features
Curve, motile, flagellate Gram-ve rods
Symptoms last 2-7 days
PRIMARILY affects small bowel
Sequelae and treatment for campylobacter
Reactive arthritis, Guilliam- Barre Syndrome
Usually self-limiting
- Erythromycin may shorten duration of disease
Salmonella features
Originate from poorly cooked meat, contaminated meat
Affects SI
GI symptoms
Treatment if severe diarrhoea, fever- Quinolones, macrolides, cephalosproins
Salmonella typhoid/paratyphoid features
Potentially fatal febrile illness
Cough and constipation common
Antibiotic therapy- fluorquinolones (ceftriaxone, azithromycin)
E. coli features
Gram -ve rod
Commonest gut pathogen
Commonest in infants and the elderly
Cholera features
Curved motile G-ve rods, toxin mediated disease
Faecally contaminated water, food
Painless watery stool
Shigella features
Non-motive G-ve rods- toxin mediated
Faecal-oral spread in areas of poor hygiene
Norovirus features
Short Ip- 24-48 hrs
Fever
Variable GI symptoms +/- diarrhoea
Detection- PCR
Rotavirus
Group A+B account for human disease- affects small bowel
D+V
Giardia features
Often asymptomatic, diarrhoea primary symptoms
Bulky, pale and offensive smelling
Abdo bloating
Tx: Metronidazole and Tinidazole
