Infections of the upper GI tract Flashcards
Normal oropharyngeal bacterial flora
‘viridans’ streptococci
streptococcus ‘milleri’
strep. pyogenes
diphtheroids
coagulase negative streptococci
staphylococcus aureus
moraxella/neisseria/haemophilus
anaerobes
What is an aphthous ulcer?
small, shallow lesions on the soft tissues
Define Ludwig’s angina
suppurative infection of hypoglossal tissue
life-threatening cellulitis of soft tissue involving floor of mouth and neck
oedema + exudate push tongue up and backwards
Ludwig’s angina causes
Group A strep
S aureus
Prevotella melaninogenicus
Most common origin of Ludwig’s angina
dental
Clinical features of acute pharyngitis
sudden onset sore throat
pain with swallowing
fever
headache
abdo pain
nausea
vomiting
(no cough, rhinorrhoea, hoarseness or conjunctivitis if cause is streptococcal)
Strep throat lab diagnosis
throat swab for culture
peripheral WBC raised
serology:
- ASO titre: anti-streptolysin O antibody
Strep throat complications
non-suppurative (cross-reactivity with M protein):
- rheumatic fever
- poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
suppurative:
- peritonsillar abscess (quinsy)
- cervical lymphadenitis
- bacteraemia
Oesophagitis causes
candida
CMV
HSV
VZV
Oesophagitis symptoms
dysphagia
odynophagia
retrosternal discomfort
anorexia
fever
Risk factors for oesophagitis
antibiotic use
HIV/AIDS
leukaemia
lymphoma
corticosteroids
How is oesophagitis diagnosed?
flexible endoscopy
barium swallow
How is H pylori transmitted?
direct contact with:
- saliva
- vomit
- stool
- contaminated food/water
H pylori symptoms
stomach ache
pain
nausea
loss of appetite
frequent burping
bloating
unintentional weight loss
H pylori diagnosis
stool sample
H pylori antigen test
H pylori DNA by PCR test
