Infectious Diseases Flashcards
Post-exposure prophylaxis for Hep C?
none
> do monthly PCR - if seroconversion then IFN +/- ribavarin
what test remains positive after treatment in syphilis?
TPHA - treponemal specific antibody tests
most common isolated organism following dog / animal bite?
Pasteurella multocida
mx of animal bite?
cleanse wound + Co-amoxiclav
most common causes of viral meningitis?
enteroviruses e.g. coxsackie B, echovirus
Ix of Aspergilloma?
CXR: rounded opacity, may seen Crescent sign
High titres Aspergillus precipitins
features of Leptospirosis?
early phase: fever, flu-like symptoms
- subconjunctival suffusion (redness)/haemorrhage
- bilateral calf myalgia
second immune phase may lead to more severe disease (Weil’s disease):
- AKI (seen in 50%)
- hepatitis: jaundice, hepatomegaly
- aseptic meningitis
Ix of leptospirosis?
serology: antibodies to leptospirosis develop after ~7d,
PCR, culture (takes several weeks)
Mx of leptospirosis?
high dose benzylpenicillin or doxycycline
Features of Q fever?
fever, malaise, PUO.
- transaminitis
- atypical pneumonia
- culture-negative endocarditis
- exposure to farm animals
organism implicated in Q fever?
coxiella burnetii, a rickettsia
- source; typically an abattoir, cattle/sheep, infected dust
mx of Q fever?
doxycycline
IV dexamethasone should be given to reduce the risk of neurological sequelae, but BNF advise to withhold if:
septic shock, meningococcal septicaemia, immunocompromised, meningitis following surgery
Mx of meningitis if patient has immediate hypersensitivity reaction to penicillin or to cephalosporins?
chloramphenicol
1st line mx of gonorrhoea?
Single dose IM ceftriaxone 1g
- if ceftriaxone refused: oral cefixime 400mg + oral azithromycin 2g single doses
Key features of disseminated gonococcal infection?
tenosynovitis, migratory polyarthritis, dermatitis
Features include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, papulovesicular lesions where the skin has been penetrated by infective larvae e.g. soles of feet and buttocks,
larva currens: pruritic, linear, urticarial rash, if the larvae migrate to the lungs a pneumonitis similar to Loeffler’s syndrome may be triggered
Strongyloides stercoralis
Mx of strongyloides stercoralis?
Ivermectin (1st line) and -bendazoles (2nd line- albendazole)
perianal itching, particularly at night; girls may have vulval symptoms
entorebius vermicularis (pinworm)
diagnosis of enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infection?
apply stick plastic tape to perianal area and send to lab for microscopy to see eggs
mx of enterobius vermicularis (pinworm)?
-bendazoles
Larvae penetrate skin of feet; gastrointestinal infection → anaemia
Thin-shelled ova
Ancylostoma duodenale, necator americanus (hookworms)
Mx: -bendazoles
Transmission by deer fly and mango fly
Causes red itchy swellings below the skin called ‘Calabar swellings’, may be observed when crossing conjunctivae
Loa Loa
Mx of Loa Loa infection?
diethylcarbamazine
Typically develops after eating raw pork
Features include fever, periorbital oedema and myositis (larvae encyst in muscle)
trichinella spiralis
mx: -bendazoles
Causes ‘river blindness’. Spread by female blackflies
Features include blindness, hyperpigmented skin and possible allergic reaction to microfilaria
Onchocerca volvulus
mx: ivermectin
rIVERblindness = IVERmectin
Transmission by female mosquito
Causes blockage of lymphatics → elephantiasis
Wucheria Bancrofti
- mx: diethylcarbamazine
Mx of wucheria Bancrofti?
diethylcarbamazine
Eggs are visible in faeces
May cause intestinal obstruction and occasional migrate to lung (Loffler’s syndrome)
ascaris lumbricoides (giant roundworm)
mx: -bendazoles
Transmission through ingestion of eggs in dog faeces. Definite host is dog, which ingests hydatid cysts from sheep, who act as an intermediate host. Often seen in farmers.
Features include liver cysts and anaphylaxis if cyst ruptures (e.g. during surgical removal)
Echinococcus granulosus (tapeworm)
mx: -bendazoles
Often transmitted after eating undercooked pork. Causes cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis, mass lesions in the brain ‘swiss cheese appearance’
Taenia solum (tapeworm)
mx: -bendazoles
mx of tapeworms?
-bendazoles
Hosted by snails, which release cercariae that penetrate skin.
Causes ‘swimmer’s itch’ - frequency, haematuria. Risk factor for squamous cell bladder cancer
Schistosoma haematobium
mx: praziquantel
mx of schistosomiasis?
praziquantel
features of strongyloidiasis?
- GI symptoms: bloating, discomfort, diarrhoea, larvae passed in stool
- larva currens: urticarial band that typically starts in the peri-anal area. (rash rapidly migrates) -> this is the larvae in the skin
Features of toxoplasmosis?
- accounts for 50% of cerebral lesions in patients with HIV
- constitutional symptoms, headache, confusion, drowsiness
- CT: usually single/ multiple ring enhancing lesion +/- mass effect
- in immunocompetent patients: symptomatic, or presents similar to infectious mono (Fever, LNpathy, malaise)
Mx of toxoplasmosis?
sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine
Features of primary CNS lymphoma?
- 30% of cerebral lesions in HIV
- assoc w EBV
- CT; single/ multiple homogenous enhancing lesions
tx of Primary CNS lymphoma?
steroids (may significantly reduce tumour size), chemotherapy (e.g. methotrexate) +/- whole brain irradiation. surgery may be considered
Ix to differentiate between toxoplasmosis and Primary CNS lymphoma?
Thallium SPECT
Toxoplasmosis: Thallium spect NEGATIVE
Lymphoma; thallium SPECT POSITIVE
Features of cryptococcal CNS infection in HIV?
meningitis, headache, fever, malaise, N+v, seizures, focal neurological deficit
- CSF: high opening pressure, India ink test positive
- CT: meningeal enhancement, cerebral oedema
Features of botulism
patient usually fully conscious with no sensory disturbance flaccid paralysis diplopia ataxia bulbar palsy
Mx of botulism?
botulism antitoxin and supportive care
mx of giardiasis?
metronidazole
Ix of suspected meningococcal septicaemia?
blood cultures - might be negative if taken after abx
blood PCR- sensitivity of over 90%
lumbar puncture is usually contraindicated
full blood count and clotting to assess for disseminated intravascular coagulation
pathophysiology of tetanus?
- clostridium tetani releases tetanospasmin exotoxin
- tetanospasmin prevents release of GABA
features of tetanus?
prodrome fever, lethargy, headache
trismus (lockjaw)
risus sardonicus (spasm of facial muscle - appears to be grinning)
opisthotonus (arched back, hyperextended neck)
spasms (e.g. dysphagia)
Mx of tetanus?
supportive: ventilatory support, muscle relaxants e.g. diazepam
IM human tetanus Ig for high risk wounds
metronidazole as antibiotic of choice
features of Cat scratch disease?
fever, history of a cat scratch, regional lymphadenopathy
headache, malaise
- Bartonella henselae (gram -ve rod)
1st line ix for suspected ascending cholangitis?
USS abdomen
most common organisms in ascending cholangitis?
- E coli most common
followed by klebsiella, enterococcus, streptococcus
Reynolds pentad of ascending cholangitis?
Charcot’s triad: fever, RUQ pain, jaundice
+ confusion and hypotension
Tx of ascending cholangitis?
ERCP- usually after 72h of abx
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram and biliary drain
features of congenital toxoplasmosis?
- neurological damage to unborn child: cerebral calcification, hydrocephalus, chorioretinitis
- ophthalmic damage: retinopathy, cataracts.
mx of toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients?
no treatment required unless patient has a severe infection or is immunosuppressed
Ix of choice to diagnose acute Hep C infection?
HCV RNA
`complications of chronic hep c?
- rheumatological problems: arthralgia, arthritis
- eye problems: Sjogren’s syndrome
- cirrhosis (5-20% of those with chronic disease)
- hepatocellular cancer
- cryoglobulinaemia: typically type II (mixed monoclonal and polyclonal)
- porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT)
- membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
Mx of chronic HCV infection?
treatment depends on viral genotype- this should be tested prior to treatment
- combination of protease inhibitors (e.g. daclatasvir + sofosbuvir or sofosbuvir + simeprevir) +/- ribavarin
mx of listeria meningitis?
IV amoxicillin + gentamicin
Mx of listeriosis in pregnancy?
amoxicillin
complications of malaria?
cerebral malaria: seizures, coma
- acute renal failure: secondary to intravascular haemolysis
- ARDS
- hypoglycaemia
- DIC
Mx of severe falciparum malaria?
- if parasite count >2%, IV artesunate
- if Parasite count >10%, + exchange transfusion
Most common organism found in central line infections
Staphylococcus epidermidis
vaccines which should not be given to immunocompromised?
live attenuated
- BCG
- Yellow fever
- Oral polio
- Intranasal influenza
- Varicella
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- oral rotavirus/ typhoid
1st line mx of UTI in pregnant woman in first trimester?
nitrofurantoin
mx of acute pyelonephritis?
broad spec cephalosporin or quinolone for 10-14 days
Viral meningitis: but LP shows particularly low glucose?
- normally CSF glucose in viral meningitis should be 60-80% plasma glucose
- mumps assoc low glucose
- also herpes encephalitis
Features of leprosy?
- patches of hypopigmented skin typically affecting the buttocks, face, and extensor surfaces of limbs
- sensory loss
Mx of multibacillary (>6 lesions) leprosy?
triple therapy: rifampicin, dapsone, clofazimine
- for 12 months
mx of shigella diarrhoea?
usually self limiting and does not require antibiotic treatment
- safety net - if severe disease, immunocompromised, bloody diarrhoea -> give ciprofloxacin
Ix of Lyme disease?
- clinical diagnosis if erythema migrans present -> indication to start abx
- ELISA antibodies to Borrelia burgdoferi is 1st line
- if negative but high suspicion, repeat ELISA 4-6 wks after first
- if equivocal: immunoblot test for Lyme disease
Mx of disseminated Lyme disease?
Ceftriaxone
Mx of Lyme disease?
doxycycline
amoxicillin in pregnancy
most common cause of non-falciparum malaria
Plasmodium vivax
1st line mx for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale?
Chloroquine or Artemisin-based combination therapy (e.g. Artemether-lumefantrine)
What should be given to patients with ovale or vivax malaria following acute treatment to prevent relapse?
primaquine
- to destroy liver hypnozoites and prevent relapse
Features of yellow fever?
sudden onset high fever, rigors, N+V, bradycardia. Jaundice, haematemesis, oliguria.
- councilman bodies (inclusion bodies) may be seen in the hepatocytes
Pathophysiology of Dengue fever?
- can progress to viral haemorrhagic fever
- transmitted by Aedes mosquito
- form of DIC can develop
- low Platelets, raised transaminase levels
mx of dengue fever?
entirely symptomatic
Ix of legionella pneumonia?
Urinary antigen
causative agent of hairy leukoplakia?
EBV
Causative agent of primary CNS lymphoma?
EBV
Diagnosis of Infectious mononucleosis?
Monospot test (heterophil antibody test) in 2nd week of illness + FBC
Mx of infectious mono?
Supportive
post-exposure prophylaxis for Hep B?
- known responder to vaccine: booster dose
- non responder/ in the process of vaccination: Hep B IG + vaccine
features of Chancroid?
- haemophilus ducreyi
- PAINFUL genital ulcers
- unilateral, painful inguinal LN enlargement
- ulcers typically have a sharply defined, ragged, undermined border
Features of Lymphogranuloma venereum?
- chlamydia trachomatis
- stage 1: small painless pustule -> ulcer
- stage 2: painful inguinal Lymphadenopathy
- stage 3: proctocolitis
treatment of lymphogranuloma venereum?
doxycycline
Secondary features of Syphilis?
- occurs 6-10 weeks after primary infection
systemic symptoms: fevers, lymphadenopathy
rash on trunk, palms and soles
buccal ‘snail track’ ulcers (30%)
condylomata lata (painless, warty lesions on the genitalia )
Tertiary features of Syphilis?
- gummas (granulomatous lesions of the skin and bones)
- ascending aortic aneurysms
- general paralysis of the insane
- tabes dorsalis
- Argyll-Robertson pupil
features of congenital syphilis?
- blunted upper incisor teeth (Hutchinson’s teeth), “mulberry” molars
- rhagades (linear scars at the angle of the mouth),
- keratitis
- saber shins
- saddle nose
- deafness
Mx of HSV gingovostomatitis?
oral acyclovir, chlorhedixine mouthwash
Mx of HSV cold sores?
topical acyclovir
Mx of genital herpes?
oral aciclovir
rash, headache + single/ multiple eschars + history of recent foreign travel?
rickettsial infections
Features of listeria monocytogenes infection?
diarrhoea, flu-like illness
pneumonia , meningoencephalitis
ataxia and seizures
Ix of suspected listeria infection?
blood cultures
Complications of listeria infection in pregnancy?
miscarriage, premature labour, stillbirth and chorioamnionitis
Mx of preventing tetanus if vaccination hx incomplete or unknown? OR full course of tetanus vaccines, with last dose >10 years ago
reinforcing dose of vaccine, regardless of wound severity
- high risk wounds: + Tetanus Ig
Mx of preventing tetanus if full course of tetanus vaccines, with last dose <10 yr ago?
Nothing regardless of wound severity
most commonly affected site of necrotising fasciitis?
perineum (Fournier’s gangrene)
Management of necrotising fasciitis?
urgent surgical debridement + IV abx
Classification of necrotising fasciitis?
type 1: most common. mixed anaerobes and aerobes. often post surgery in diabetics
type 2: streptococcus pyogenes
which type of malaria is associated with nephrotic syndrome?
plasmodium malariae
Most frequent and severe manifestation of Chagas disease?
cardiomyopathy
Features of Sleeping sickness aka African trypanosomiasis?
- trypanosome chancre- painless subcut nodule at site of infection
- intermittent fever
- enlargement of posterior cervical LNs
- later: CNS involvement e.g. somnolence, headaches, mood changes, meningoencephalitis
Types of African trypanosomiasis/ Sleeping Sickness?
Trypanosoma rhodisiense: East Africa, acute course (Rapid)
Trypanosoma gambiense: West Africa, gradual course
Mx of African trypanosomiasis/ Sleeping Sickness?
early disease: IV pentamidine/ Suramin
later disease/ CNS involvement: IV melarsoprol
Features of Chagas disease (aka American trypanosomiasis)?
95% are asymptomatic in the acute phase, sometimes will see a chagoma (erythematous nodule at site of infection) and periorbital oedema.
- parasites in HEART: myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy (w apical atrophy) and arrhythmias
- and GI TRACT: megaoesophagus and megacolon -> dysphagia/ constipation
Mx of Chagas disease?
acute: benznidazole/ nifurtimox
chronic: treat the complications e.g. heart failure
Features of Rabies
prodrome: headache, fever, agitation
hydrophobia: water-provoking muscle spasms
hypersalivation
Negri bodies: cytoplasmic inclusion bodies found in infected neurons
Mx of preventing rabies Following an animal bite in at-risk countries?
- wash wound
- if already immunised: 2 further doses of vaccine
- not immunised: Full course vaccination + Human Rabies IG
Most common opportunistic infection in AIDS?
pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
Complications of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia?
common: pneumothorax Rare: - hepatosplenomegaly - lymphadenopathy - choroid lesions
Mx of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia?
- Co-trimoxazole
- Severe: IV pentamidine
- aerosolised pentamidine is an alternative, but less effective
- Steroids if hypoxic!!
Ix of chronic Hepatitis C?
anti-HCV antibody test
Management of Cysticercosis (type of tape worm)?
Niclosamide
Mx of Hydatid disease?
albendazole
Features of Hydatid disease?
- caused by dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus
- Dogs ingesting hydatid cysts from sheep liver
- often seen in farmers
- can cause liver cysts
Mx of meningeal tuberculosis?
RIPE + steroids for 12 months
Side effects of ethambutol?
optic neuritis: check visual acuity before and during treatment
Side effects of pyrazinamide?
hyperuricaemia causing gout
arthralgia, myalgia
hepatitis
Side effects of isoniazid?
peripheral neuropathy: prevent with pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
hepatitis, agranulocytosis
liver enzyme inhibitor
Side effects of rifampicin?
potent liver enzyme inducer
hepatitis, orange secretions
flu-like symptoms