Infectious Disease Flashcards
Mechanism of action of Maraviroc and Enfuvirtide
Maraviroc - CCR5 inhibitor. Prevents viral entry. However tropism assay is essential prior to therapy to confirm that HIV is R5 strain.
Enfuvirtide - inhibits gp41 and prevents fusion of virus and the cell. Must be injected.
What is the approximate sensitivity and specificity of IGRA testing?
Caveats to IGRA testing?
Specificity 98-100% for low TB population with no risk factors
Sensitivity 80-85% in patients with active TB
Therefore IGRA cannot be used as an test to exclude active TB.
Also cannot be used to differentiate between active/latent TB.
IGRA may stay positive after successful TB treatment therefore cannot be used to assess outcome of treatment.
Cross reactivity with other mycobacterium spp occurs, but not with BCG vaccination.
Action and side effects of linezolid
Entirely synthetic protein synthesis inhibitor therefore no known pre-existing resistance.
Good tissue penetration and bioavailability.
SE: GI, cytopenias, neuropathy, MAO inhibition (therefore avoid SSRI, tramadol, pethidine)
Name the diseases common with following CD4 counts:
CD4 cell count 200-500
50-200
<50
200-500 - herpes zoster, pneumococcal pneumonia, TB, oral candida
50-200 - PJP, CNS toxo, cryptococcosis, cancers (kaposis sarcoma, CNS lymphoma, NHL)
<50 - MAC, CMV retinitis, cryptosporidiasis
Treatment of choice for uncomplicated falciparum infection?
What about in severe malaria? (eg, jaundice, decreased LOC, oliguria, severe anaemia, hypoglycaemia)
- Artemether + lumefantrine
- Atovaquone + proguanil
- Quinine + doxycycline (or clindamycin)
IV artesunate or IV quinine
Mechanism of daptomycin?
A cyclic lipopeptide which binds to bacterial cell membrane and causes rapid depolarisation of membrane potential in both growing and stationary phase cells. This loss of membrane potential causes inhibition of DNA, RNA and proteins, resulting in bacterial cell death with negligible cell lysis.
Cannot be used in pneumonia due to inactivation by surfactant.
Mechanism of action of foscarnet?
Activity against?
Side effects?
Pyrophosphate analogue which does not require phosphorylation unlike aciclovir/ganciclovir.
Directly inhibits pyrophosphate binding site of DNA polymerase.
Active against CMV, HSV1/2, VZV, Hep B and HIV.
Renal dysfunction, metabolic disturbances.
Define the following HIV outcomes:
Incomplete virological response
Virological rebound
Incomplete virological response - HIV RNA >200 copies/mL after 24 weeks on ARV
Virological rebound - repeated detection of HIV RNA >200copies/mL after viral suppression
4 Indications for moxifloxacin in TB?
- MDR-TB
- Ethambutol required but contraindicated (eg due to eye disease)
- IV therapy required or hepatotoxicity
- CNS TB disease
Why are there different cut off points for different population groups in Mantoux test?
To maximize sensitivity in high risk groups, and to maximize specificity in low risk groups.
High risk groups = >5mm (HIV, immunosuppressed, close contact with infectious TB person, old TB scar on CXR)
Low risk groups = BCG vaccinated, all other persons
Treatment options in VRE infection and colonization?
If infected, Linezolid, Daptomycin, Tigecycline.
If colonized, avoid anti-anaerobic antibiotics (which can increase VRE burden in the colon), contact isolation if diarrhoea etc which may spread VRE around
What is caused by aflatoxins and mycotoxins produced by aspergillus fungi?
Associated with development of HCC and may be associated with high rates of p53 mutation
What must be excluded before primaquine use?
G6PD deficiency - can cause haemolysis
Compare and contrast CJD vs vCJD
CJD - spontaneous, iatrogenic or familial causes. Rapidly progressive dementia associated with myoclonus and extrapyramidal signs in 2/3.
EEG shows periodic synchronous sharp wave complexes. MRI showing involvement of putamen and head of caudate.
Elevated levels of 14-3-3 proteins found in CSF.
vCJD - almost certainly due to bovine to human transmission of BSE. Affects younger patients and less rapid progression. More sensory/psychiatric features.
14-3-3 and EEG much less useful. PrPsc found in tonsilar tissues.
What does MDR TB mean?
Resistance to Isoniazid, Rifampicin +/- others.
Around 5% of TB infections worldwide.
What should you use for recurrent genital herpes cause by HSV? Valaciclovir or aciclovir?
You can use both… no significant benefit of valaciclovir over aciclovir but compliance is the main issue (valaciclovir only needs to be taken twice a day, aciclovir 5 times a day)
Pathogenesis of HIV associated lipoatrophy.
Cause?
Due to inhibition of mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma resulting in ‘mitochondrial toxicity’
NRTI exposure is the major risk factor - stavudine and zidovudine in particular
Factors which reduce HIV acquisition?
- Circumcision - decreased HIV acquisition in heterosexual men but efficacy in MSM conflicting. (circumcized penis is more keratinized and resistant to acquisition. Also foreskin has lots of dendritic cells which circumcision removes)
- CCR5 D32 homozygotes resistant to HIV infection
1% Caucasians are homozygous for this. Rare in Africans and Asians.
20% Caucasians are heterozygous for CCR5D32 allele - 2 fold reduction in time to progression to AIDS in adults.
Presenting symptoms of typhoid fever?
Complications at 3-4 weeks?
Treatment?
Consequence of chronic carrier state?
Fevers, abdominal pain, CONSTIPATION, rose spots
Complications:
- Intestinal perforation
- Endocarditis
- Splenic/liver abscess
- Endovascular infection in grafts, aneurysms and atherosclerotic plaques especially >50 age
Treat with ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone
Increased risk of gallbladder Ca if chronic carrier state.
Higher frequency of chronic carrier state if concurrent schistosoma infection or biliary abnormalities.
Mechanism of action of protease inhibitors
Inhibits cleavage of Gag-Pol polyprotein which is necessary for maturation of viral particles.
Which drugs are implicated in TB therapy induced hepatitis?
Describe your management to this situation.
Pyrazinamide > Isoniazid > Rifampicin.
If 2-5x ULN and asymptomatic, monitor closely.
If >5x ULN or >3x with symptoms, cease medications or add liver safe medications (moxifloxacin, ethambutol, amikacin)
Once ALT <2x ULN, restart Isoniazid, then rifampicin. If tolerated, then do not start pyrazinamide as this was likely the implicating cause and just extend the treatment to 9 months with HRE.
Typical treatment regimen for TB?
Describe the three compartment model
2 months of HRZE followed by 4 months of HR
Isoniazid kills the rapidly multiplying TB
Pyrazinamide targets the slowly multiplying TB in the acidic environment (eg inside caseous necrosis, macrophages etc)
Rifampicin targets the sporadically multiplying TB.
What is the transmission risk of HCV with needle stick?
Between 2-3%, highest risk with PCR positive source.
PCR detects virus 10 days-6 weeks after infection.
Mechanism of action for cidofovir?
NucleoTIDE analogue of dCMP.
Also does not require phosphorylation by TK/UL97
Active against resistant viruses and wider range of viruses including HHV6/8, adenovirus, polyomavirus, HPV.
Causes renal dysfunction.
Brincidofovir is the prodrug of cidofovir.
4 causes of QTc prolongation in antibiotics
- Voriconazole
- Macrolides
- Moxifloxacin
- Pentamidine
Describe TB paradoxical reaction
Clinical/radiological deterioration of preexisting lesions whilst on therapy, occurring 20-150 days into treatment.
Does not mean treatment failure - usually if resistant TB, patients do NOT get better.
Therefore manage with continuation of existing TB treatment, corticosteroids, aspiration of pus, excision etc.
Seen in 2-23% of HIV negative TB patients.
3 Contraindications to use of mefloquine?
- Neuropsychiatric disorders
- Epilepsy
- Cardiac conduction defects
1 major benefit of abacavir and 2 major side effects to be aware of?
Major benefit in once a day dosing.
3-5% have allergic reaction with GIT symptoms, myalgia, rash, cough, leucopenia.
Strongly associated with HLAB5701. Most commonly occurs in firest 6 weeks. Dont rechallenge - switch to another drug
Also 2x AMI risk therefore avoid in CVD.
Pathogenesis in botulism?
Toxins A, B and E binds to pre-synaptic nerves and prevents release of ACh. Affects cranial nerves then symmetrical descent. No sympathetic or sensory involvement.
3 causes of peripheral neuropathy in antibiotic use
- Linezolid
- Metronidazole
- Isoniazid
What is involved in ART drug resistance testing?
Genotype testing - can test for mutations in the reverse transcriptase gene (resistance to NRTI/NNRTI), protease gene (resistance to PIs) and integrase gene (resistance to INSTIs) from individuals viral isolates.
Usually need HIV VL >1000 copies/mL for the test.
How do you make the diagnosis of HIV?
HIV ELISA +/- confirmatory western blot. Can be negative in acute setting (<2 weeks after acquisition)
HIV viral load testing is important in high risk groups with negative or indeterminate western blots, but false positives can occur in 4-26% therefore cannot be used as a screening tool.
Risk factors for vertical transmission of HIV from mother to infant
- High viral load
- Low maternal CD4 count
- Breast feeding doubles risk
ART reduces risk from 10% to <1%
Risk is also reduced with LSCS however ?usefulness after ART
Classical MRI pattern seen in TB meningitis?
Basal meningitis - can cause strokes affecting perforating vessels supplying the base of the brain
3 Major mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
- Inactivation - beta lactamases, erm methylation genes in pneumococcus for macrolides
- Alteration of binding target - pneumococcus and alteration of PBP, staph aureus and methicillin like antibiotics
- Decreased uptake - reduced penetration eg with porins for pseudomonas and carbapenems, and antibiotic efflux - eg with pneumococcus with mef gene for macrolides.
Mechanism of action of Raltegravir
‘tegra’ - integrase strand transfer inhibitor INSTI.
Blocks integration stage of HIV replication.
Another example is Elvitegravir.
5 functions of antibody
- B cell activation
- Neutralization of toxins eg tetanus
- Complement activation (complement binds to Fc portion of IgG or IgM)
- Opsonization for phagocytosis
- Ab dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity - cytotoxic cells with Fc receptors for Igs can bind lyse target cells.
Also direct leukocyte into areas of damage - eg NK cells guide neutrophils
Treatment of choice for meningicoccal prophylaxis?
Single dose IM ceftriaxone (97%). More effective than oral rifampicin for 2 days (75-81%)
Everyone should be vaccinated if exposed, and within 4 weeks of onset of disease in the case.
Describe the mechanism behind Mantoux test
Tests type 4 hypersensitivity reaction with T cells.
Tuberculin once injected into the skin is taken up by APC and presented to T cell, which then secretes INF gamma, TNF alpha, IL-8 over 72 hours, causing induration.
Compare R5 and X4 strains.
R5 strains infect macrophages and T cells. Usually in early infection and less aggressive and uses CCR5 to gain entry into CD4 cells. More frequently transmitted.
X4 strains infect only T cells and T cell lines. Gains entry via CXCR4 co receptors. More aggressive with high viral titres. More rapid decline in CD4 and increased rate of progression to AIDS.
Antibiotic regimen for:
Mild CAP
Moderate CAP
Severe CAP
Mild CAP - amoxycillin/doxycycline
Moderate CAP - penicillin plus doxycycline
Severe CAP - ceftriaxone plus azithromycin
Treatment of choice for vivax/malariae/ovale?
Chloroquine followed by 14 day course of primaquine for vivax/ovale
Describe HIV viral entry
All HIV strains recognize CD4 and binds to it via gp120 on the viral surface. Co receptor affinity varies depending on the gp120 structure.
Co receptors include CCR5, CXCR4.
Binding results in conformational change to gp41 resulting in membrane fusion and entry of viral particles into the cytoplasm. RNA reverse transcriptase transcribes the RNA to dsDNA which is then incorporated into the cell nucleus and transcribed.
Notes: dendritic cells are the first cells to become infected. They later transfer the virus to lymphocytes at the LN. DCs also express CD4, CCR5 but not CXCR4.
What is the treatment of choice for herpes zoster (shingles)?
Valaciclovir.
More effective than aciclovir in reducing zoster associated pain (acute pain and PHN), also PHN was less likely with VACV over ACV
Manifestation of cryptosporidiasis
Usually gastrointestinal manifestations - profuse watery diarrhoea, loss of weight, abdo pain.
Diagnose via stool culture, bowel biopsy.
Eradication is rare, and hard to cure.
What is hVISA?
Where is it seen?
What do you treat it with?
Heterogeneous combination of majority MRSA and minotrity of VISA. Hard to detect and is associated with thickened cell wall thereby more targets of D-Ala-D-Ala for vancomycin to bind onto.
Seen in dialysis patients or infected foreign bodies
Vancomycin failure is common, therefore need to use linezolid, tigecycline, ceftaroline, rafampicin/fusidate
What is the role of antibiotic ‘locks’ in long term CVC?
Locks such as heparin+vancomycin or vancomycin+ciprofloxacin did reduce rates of catheter related blood stream infection and longer time until CR-BSI, however there are concerns regarding VRE - therefore currently NOT routinely recommended.
What anti-TB meds can be used in pregnancy?
All 1st line drugs can be used in pregnancy. (ie, HRZE)
Define culture negative infective endocarditis.
Name 5 causes of culture negative IE.
IE with 3x negative PBC after 7 days
Causes: Q fever, Bartonella, mycoplasma hominis, clamydophila, fungi
When would you consider adding metronidazole in aspiration pneumonitis/pneumonia?
- Terrible gum disease/foul smelling sputum
- Severe alcohol abuse
- Lung abscess with fluid level
- Empyema/complete white out
3 factors causing false positive tests in Mantoux testing?
- BCG vaccinations
- Repeat Mantoux testing causing boosting
- Non-tuberculous mycobacteria infection
What is the malaria prophylaxis of choice for a traveller travelling to chloroquine/mefloquine resistant area?
Atovaquone + proguanil or doxycycline.
How does post transplant lymphoproliferative disease manifest?
Management?
- Mononucleosis-like syndrome - tonsilar and LN involvement
- Diffuse polymorphous B cell infiltration involving many viscera, presents with hepatitis
- Localized extranodal tumours in GIT, neck, thorax and CNS.
Highest risk in seronegative recipient, prolonged anti-T cell immunosuppressive therapy eg: OKT-3
Aciclovir is of no proven efficacy. Only way to manage is with reduce immunosuppression.
What is the risk of functional asplenia/hyposplenism?
Increased life time risk of serious infection at 5%
Pathogens - strep pneumoniae, neisseria meningitidis, H influenzae, capnocytophaga canimorsus
Manage with immunisations and sometimes antibiotic prophylaxis with amoxycillin/phenoxymethylpenicillin
What is the difference between valaciclovir/famciclovir and aciclovir?
They are prodrug of a ‘prodrug’ which is aciclovir.
Greater bioavailability.
Mechanism of action for ganciclovir?
Analogue of nucleoside guanosine.
Preferentially phosphorylated by CMV viral kinase UL97
Usually administered IV.
Causes chain termination. Effective against CMV.