Infectious Diseases Flashcards
Urinary tract infections: which bugs are associated? what type of empiric antibiotic should be used?
- E. coli
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin, quinolones
Bronchitis: which bugs are associated? what type of empiric antibiotic should be used?
- Virus, H. influenzae, Moraxella spp.
- Usually no benefit from antibiotics, may consider macrolides or doxycycline
Classic pneumonia: which bugs are associated? what type of empiric antibiotic should be used?
- Strep. pneumoniae, H. influenzae
- 3rd generation cephalosporin, azithromycin
Atypical pneumonia: which bugs are associated? what type of empiric antibiotic should be used?
- Mycoplasma, Chlamydia spp.
- Macrolide, doxycycline
Osteomyelitis: which bugs are associated? what type of empiric antibiotic should be used?
- Staph. aureus, Salmonella spp.
- Oxacillin, cefazolin, vancomycin
Cellulitis: which bugs are associated? what type of empiric antibiotic should be used?
- Streptococci, staphylococci
- Cephalexin, dicloxacillin, clindamycin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole if MRSA is suspected
Meningitis (neonate): which bugs are associated? what type of empiric antibiotic should be used?
- Streptococci, E. coli, Listeria spp.
- Ampicillin + aminoglycoside, expanded spectrum 3rd generation cephalosporin (cefotaxime)
Meningitis (child/adult): which bugs are associated? what type of empiric antibiotic should be used?
- Strep. pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis (in child with no immunization history, H. influenzae is most likely)
- Cefotaxime or ceftriaxone + vancomycin
Endocarditis: which bugs are associated? what type of empiric antibiotic should be used?
- Staphylococci, streptococci
- Antistaphylococcal penicillin (e.g. dicloxacillin, methicillin) or vancomycin + aminoglycoside
Sepsis: which bugs are associated? what type of empiric antibiotic should be used?
- Gram-negative organisms, streptococci, staphylococci
- 3rd generation penicillin/cephalosporin + aminoglycoside, or imipenem
Septic arthritis: which bugs are associated? what type of empiric antibiotic should be used?
- Staph. aureau = vancomycin
- Gram-negative bacilli = ceftazidime or ceftriaxone
- Gonococci = ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, or spectinomycin
What is the choice of antibiotic for Streptococcus A or B?
- Penicillin, cefazolin
- Erythromycin
What is the choice of antibiotic for Strep. pneumoniae?
- 3rd-generation cephalosporin + vancomycin
- Fluoroquinolone
What is the choice of antibiotic for Enterococcus?
- Penicillin or ampicillin + aminoglycoside
- Vancomycin + aminoglycoside
What is the choice of antibiotic for Staph. aureus?
- Anti-staphylococcus penicillin (e.g. methcillin)
- Vancomycin (MRSA)
What is the choice of antibiotic for Gonococcus?
- Ceftriaxone or cefixime
- Spectinomycin
What is the choice of antibiotic for Meningococcus?
- Cefotaxime or ceftriaxone
- Chloramphenicol or penicillin G if susceptible
What is the choice of antibiotic for Haemophilus?
- 2nd or 3rd generation cephalosporin
- Ampicillin
What is the choice of antibiotic for Pseudomonas?
- Antipseudomonal penicillin (ticarcillin, piperacillin) +/- beta lactamase inhibitor (clavulanate, tazobactam)
- Ceftazidime, cefepime, aztreonam, imipenem, ciprofloxacin
What is the choice of antibiotic for Bacteroides?
- Metronidazole
- Clindamycin
What is the choice of antibiotic for Mycoplasma?
- Erythromycin, azithromycin
- Doxycycline
What is the choice of antibiotic for Treponema pallidum?
- Penicillin
- Doxycycline
What is the choice of antibiotic for Chlamydia?
- Doxycycline, azithromycin
- Erythromycin, ofloxacin
What is the choice of antibiotic for Lyme disease (Borrelia spp.)?
- Cefuroxime, doxycycline, amoxicillin
- Erythromycin
What does a blue/purple Gram stain most likely represent?
Gram-positive organism
What does a red Gram stain most likely represent?
Gram-negative organism
What do Gram-positive cocci in chains on Gram stain most likely represent?
Streptococci
What do Gram-positive cocci in clusters on Gram stain most likely represent?
Staphylococci
What do Gram-positive cocci in pairs (diplococci) on Gram stain most likely represent?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
What do Gram-negative coccobacilli (small rods) on Gram stain most likely represent?
Haemophilus spp.
What do Gram-negative diplococci on Gram stain most likely represent?
Neisseria spp. or Moraxella spp.
What do plump Gram-negative rods with thick capsules (mucoid appearance) on Gram stain most likely represent?
Klebsiella spp.
What do Gram-positive rods that form spores on Gram stain most likely represent?
Clostridum spp., Bacillus spp.
What do pseudohyphae on Gram stain most likely represent?
Candida spp.
What do acid-fast organisms on Gram stain most likely represent?
Mycobacterium (usually M. tuberculosis), Nocardia spp.
What do Gram-positive organisms with sulfur granules on Gram stain most likely represent?
Actinomyces spp. (pelvic inflammatory disease in IUD users; rare cause of neck mass/cervical adenitis)
What do silver-staining organisms on Gram stain most likely represent?
Pneumocystis jirovecii, cat-scratch disease
What does a positive India ink preparation (thick capsule) on Gram stain most likely represent?
Cryptococcus neoformans
What do spirochetes on Gram stain most likely represent?
- Treponema spp., Leptospira spp. (both seen on dark-field microscopy)
- Borrelia spp. (seen on regular light microscopy)
What is the gold standard for diagnosis of pneumonia?
Sputum culture. Try to get it before starting antibiotics, though many treat empirically without culture. Get blood cultures, too, because bacteremia is common with pneumonia.
What is the most common cause of pneumonia? How does it classically present?
Streptococcus pneumoniae. Look for rapid onset of shaking chills after 1-2 days of URI symptoms, followed by fever, pleurisy, and productive cough (yellowish-green or rust-colored from blood), esp. in older adults.
CXR shows lobar consolidation and WBC is high with large % of neutrophils.
How do you treat pneumonia?
- Macrolide (e.g. azithromycin, clarithromycin)
- Doxycycline
- 3rd generation cephalosporin with macrolide or doxycycline
- Fluoroquinolone with atypical coverage (e.g. levofloxacin, moxifloxacin)
What is the best prevention against S. pneumoniae?
Vaccination. Give to all children and adults over 65, splenectomized patients, patients with sickle-cell disease (who have autosplenectomy) or splenic dysfunction, immunocompromised patients (HIV, malignancy, organ transplant), and all patients with chronic disease (DM, cardiac, pulmonary, renal, or liver disease)
How do you recognize and treat Haemophilus influenzae pneumonia?
Now uncommon in children due to vaccination, but still important cause of pneumonia in elderly and those with underlying lung disease (e.g. COPD). Often resembles pneumococcal pnuemonica clinically, but look for Gram-negative coccobacilli on sputum Gram stain.
Treat with amoxicillin or 3rd generation cephalosporin.
Describe the hallmarks of Staph. aureus pneumonia.
Tends to cause hospital-acquired pneumonia and pneumonia in patients with cystic fibrosis (along with Pseudomonas spp.), IV drug abusers, and patients with chronic granulomatous disease (look for recurrent lung abscesses). Empyema and lung abscesses are relatively common with S. aureus pneumonia.
In what clinical scenario do you tend to see gram-negative pneumonias?
Pseudomonas infection is classically associated with cystic fibrosis, Klebsiella with alcoholics and homeless people (classic description of currant jelly sputum), and enteric Gram-negative organisms (e.g. E. coli) with aspiration, neutropenia, and hospital-acquired pneumonia.
Treat empirically with antipseudomonal penicillin (e.g. ticarcillin, piperacillin) with or without beta lactamase inhibitors (e.g. clavulanate, tazobactam) OR ceftazidime or ciprofloxacin.
How do you recognize Mycoplasma pneumonia?
Most common in adolescents and young adults. Long prodrome with gradual worsening of malaise, headaches, dry, nonproductive cough, and sore throat; fevers tend to be low-grade.
CXR with patchy, diffuse bronchopneumonia and looks terrible, although patient often does not feel that bad. Look for positive cold-agglutinin Ab titers, which may cause hemolysis or anemia.
Treat with macrolide (e.g. azithromycin) or broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone (e.g. levofloxacin or moxifloxacin).
How do you recognize chlamydial pneumonia?
Presents similarly to Mycoplasma pneumonia but has negative cold-agglutinin Ab titers.
Treat with macrolide (e.g. azithromycin) or broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone (e.g. levofloxacin or moxifloxacin).
In what setting do you see Pneumocystis jirovecii (PCP) and CMV pneumonia?
HIV-positive patients with CD4 counts less than 200 and other severely immunosuppressed patients.
PCP may require bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnosis. Can be seen with silver stains and usually causes bilateral interstitial lung infiltrates. Treat with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or pentamidine.
CMV is characterized by intracellular inclusion bodies. Treat with ganciclovir or foscarnet.
What is the best time to treat PCP?
Before it happens! PCP is acquired when CD4 count is below 200. At that point you should institute prophylaxis in an HIV-positive patient with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Alternatives include atovaquone, dapsone, or pentamidine.
What is the most common organism associated with this scenario: Stuck with thorn or gardening?
Sporothrix schenckii
Treat with oral potassium iodide or ketoconazole
What is the most common organism associated with this scenario: Aplastic crisis in sickle cell disease?
Parvovirus B19
What is the most common organism associated with this scenario: Sepsis after splenectomy?
S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, N. meningitidis (encapsulated organisms)