Infectious diseases Flashcards
What is the most commonly reported zoonotic disease in Australia
Q fever (Coxiella Burnetii)
Microbiology of Q fever
Coxiella burnetii
- gram negative
- intracellular bacterium
- low infectious dose in humans (10-15 organisms)
- incubation period 2-3 weeks depending on infectious dose
Transmission of Q fever
Inhalation of aerosols or dust contaminated with secretions from infected animals (birth products, faeces, urine)
Main source for human infectious are cattle, sheep and goats
Opportunity for infection in farming, veterinary procedures, slaughtering, butchering, zoo keeping, wildlife carers, dog/cat breeders etc.
Distribution of Q fever
Present globally EXCEPT in NZ
Highest rates in Australia are in QLD, NSW and SA
More common in males
Clinical features of Q fever
Variable
50% asymptomatic
Acute disease usually resolves spontaneously within 2-6 weeks
Possible symptoms:
- fever, headache, myalgia/arthralgia, cough, flu-like illness, weight loss, pneumonia, nausea, jaundice (rare), meningeal signs (rare), maculopapular truncal rash (rare), hepatitis, osteomyelitis
Diagnosis of Q fever
Initial investigations: CBE, LFT, CRP, Urinalysis, NPA for viral PCR, CXR if indicated
DO NOT PERFORM A BLOOD CULTURE IF SUSPECT Q FEVER (safety risk in laboratories)
If other diseases excluded, commence treatment while awaiting C burnetii PCR, and serology to C burnetii, leptospira and brucella species
- *PCR ideally should be performed within 7 days of symptom onset
- ** Repeat all serologies 7 days later (Acute Q fever will see 4fold increase)
Chronic Q fever presentation
Can occur months - years after initial illness (even if initial illness asymptomatic)
Occurs in 1-5% of infected
Most commonly presents as endocarditis or hepatitis
- much higher risk to those with underlying valvular disease
Presentation of post-Q fever fatigue syndrome
Affects 10-15% of patients following acute Q fever
Initial infection may be mild
Chronic fatigue-like picture
Alcohol intolerance commonly reported
Management of Q fever
Doxycycline 100mg BD for 14 days
(in pregnancy Bactrim BD + folic acid 5mg orally until 32 weeks - discuss with ID physician)
No value in treating non-pregnant patients following spontaneous recovery
Follow up after acute Q fever
Consider echo for ?valvular disease
IF patient at risk of chronic infection (e.g. valvular disease, aneurysm, prosthesis, immunosuppression etc.) repeat serology at 3,6, and 12 months
If NOT at risk, repeat serology at 6 and 12 months
Pre-vaccination assessment for Q-fever vaccine
Skin test + C. burnetii serology + medical history aimed at identifying possible previous infection
(all 3 must show no evidence of prior infection before vaccination can be performed)
Distribution of leptospirosis
Highest incidence in tropical and subtropical areas, especially Oceania
In Australia, most cases in QLD (particularly Cairns/Hinterland regions) and NT
Risk factors for leptospirosis
Demographics:
- male gender
- young adults
Behaviour:
- occupational exposure (most significant source in Australia)
- Dairy/cane/banana farmers
- Abattoir workers
- recreational exposure (swimming or rafting in freshwater)
- International travel and ecotourism in tropics
Environmental drivers:
- tropical and subtropical climate
- high rainfall and flooding
- poor sanitation
How is leptospirosis spread
Colonise kidneys of infected mammals - spread into environment via urine where can survive for weeks -> humans infected through direct contact with contaminated soil/water or infected animals
Incubation period of leptospirosis
5-14 days (range 2-30 days)
Clinical presentation of leptospirosis
BIPHASIC:
Acute/bacteraemic phase
- Sudden onset fever, myalgia, headache
- calf tenderness and conjunctival suffusion [redness without exudate] are characteristic (but not always present)
- nonspecific symptoms (anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdo pain, dizziness, lethargy, arthralgia, eye pain, photophobia, rash)
Late/Immune phase:
- > 7 days from symptom onset
- immunologically mediated organ damage occurs (renal failure, pulmonary haemorrhage, myocarditis, arrhythmias, shock, liver failure, coagulopathy, neurological complications)
What is Weil’s disease
Classic triad of severe leptospirosis consisting of:
- jaundice
- renal failure
- haemorrhage
Case definition of confirmed leptospirosis
EITHER:
- isolation of pathogenic leptospira species on culture
- fourfold or greater rise in MAT titre obtained at least 2 weeks apart (ideally at same lab)
OR
- a single leptospira MAT titre >400 supported by positive ELISA IgM result
A positive PCR or ELISA IgM are suggestive but not confirmed diagnosis
Lab tests for suspected leptospirosis
ALWAYS include travel history on request form so correct serovars will be tested
ACUTE PHASE: Collect blood for PCR and IgM ELISA before commencing antibiotics
LATE PHASE: order both IgM ELISA and MAT tests with repeat sample 14 days later
Management of leptospirosis
Commence treatment if suspected disease based on risk factors and recent exposure
All for 7 days or as otherwise indicated if longer therapy needed:
Mild disease: PO doxycycline 100mg BD for 7 days
Severe disease:
- IV Benzylpenicillin 1.2g 6 hourly for 7 days
OR
- IV ceftriaxone 1g daily for 7 days
*Jarish-herxheimer reaction can occur within 48 hours of commencing treatment
Plus/minus supportive therapy as indicated
Antibiotics not required if diagnosed AFTER clinical recovery in self-limiting illness
Where in Australia is a diagnosis of Brucellosis most common?
Queensland. (80% of Australian cases are diagnosed in QLD)
only approx 30 cases per year in Aus
Risk factors for Brucellosis in Australians
Most significant:
- Feral pig hunting
- travel to/from and/or consumption of unpasteurised dairy products manufactured in countries with endemic brucella (mediterranean, Middle East, central Asia, India, Central and South America, Mexico)
Less commonly:
- farmers, abbatoir workers, animal handlers who have worked in above countries
- lab workers handling brucella cultures
- people involved in transport/processing of feral pig carcasses
- vets, dog breeders, household contact of feral pig hunters
Fatality rate of brucellosis
2%
Countries where brucella is present in livestock
Mediterranean countries (Portugal, Spain, southern France, Italy, Greece, Turkey) Middle East Central Asia India Central and South America Mexico
How is brucellosis infection contracted
B. suis (Australia) direct contact with feral pig tissue/body fluids via skin abrasions and mucous membranes (can also be transmitted from infected farm/pig dogs)
B. melitensis/B. abortus: ingestion of unpasteurised dairy products (especially cheese) or direct contact with animal tissues/body fluids
Aerosol transmission possible in lab environments handling brucella cultures
Phases of brucellosis
Incubation phase: usually 2-4 weeks (range 5 days - 5 months)
Acute phase: symptoms commence
Chronic phase
Common symptoms of brucellosis
usually a GRADUAL onset
Fever (relapsing, mild or protracted) Sweats Anorexia +/- weight loss Fatigue Malaise Arthralgia, myalgia, back pain Headache Depression (often severe relative to other symptoms) Epididymo-orchitis ?spontaneous 1st or 2nd trimester miscarriage
Complications of brucellosis
- Osteoarticular disease (particularly sacroiliitis)
- Hepatosplenic brucellomas (chronic suppurative granulomatous process)
- neurobrucellosis (presents as acute or chornic lymphocytic meningitis)
- Cardiovascular manifestations (main cause of death) including endocarditis, aneurysms, myocarditis, pericarditis
- Respiratory complications (bronchopneumonia, pleural adhesions)
- endophthalmitis
Diagnosing brucellosis
In acute infection:
- Serum IgM often detectable but can be a cross reaction with other infections
- confirmed with brucella IgG or 4fold increase in titres
OR
with blood culture (make sure to notify lab if suspected as is a biohazard)
Relapsing infection:
- blood culture
- typical granulomatous histopath of involved tissue
- PCR of involved tissue
Management of brucellosis
Dual therapy with:
Oral doxycycline 100mg BD for 6 weeks
PLUS
7 days of IV gentamicin (5mg/kg)
(rifampicin 600mg daily for 6 weeks if gentamicin contraindicated)
Transmission route of toxoplasmosis
Faecal-oral route
- ingestion of undercooked contaminated meat (pork, lamb, venison) or shellfish
- accidental ingestion through contact with contaminated cat faeces (cleaning litter box, contaminated soil etc. )
Vertical transmission
Organ transplant/blood transfusion (rare)
Pathogen responsible for toxoplasmosis
Parasite toxoplasma gondii
Risks of negative outcomes of toxoplasmosis in pregnacy
1st trimester:
- low risk of vertical transmission (approx 10%)
- high risk of abnormalities (up to 80%)
2nd trimester:
- moderate risk of vertical transmission (approx 30%)
- Low risk of abnormalities (approx 20%)
3rd trimester:
- high risk of vertical transmission (up to 80%, higher risk at higher gestation)
- low risk of abnormalities (<10%)
Congenital abnormalities in congenital toxoplasmosis (9)
- Chorioretinitis/retinal scarring
- hydrocephalus
- intracranial calcification
- hepatosplenomegaly
- pneumonia
- thrombocytopaenia
- lymphadenopathy
- myocarditis
Clinical features of toxoplasmosis
Most patients will be completely asymptomatic Mild illness may have: - flu-like illness - malaise - myalgia s - swollen lymph glands
Severe disease (most likely in immunocompromised)
- ocular toxoplasmosis (blurred vision, photophobia, ocular pain, red eye or tearing
- “brain damage”
Diagnosing toxoplasmosis
Consider testing in pregnant women with symptoms of acute toxoplasmosis
IgG and IgM initially - if both positive POSSIBLE recent infection (IgM can be positive for years)
Repeat serology for IgM, IgA and/or IgG titre and avidity
- IgA, rising IgG and/or low IgG avidity are more specific for recent infection
Management of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy
USS to detect abnormalities
Amniocentesis for PCR and/or culture
(if both above are negative consider pharmacological treatment with spiramycin, (or atovaquone or azithromycin if >12 weeks))
Counsel re: termination if amniocentesis PCR positive/abnormal ultrasound
Congenital toxoplasmosis management in neonate
Paediatrician at birth Ophthalmological assessment Cerebral ultrasound Whole blood at birth for PCR, serology for specific IgM and/or IgA, persistent IgG CSF for PCR
Spiramycin oral syrup for first 12 months with regular paeds or ID review
Pathogen responsible for tuberculosis
Most commonly Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Can also be caused by closely related species such as M. africanum and M. bovis
Global epidemiology of tuberculosis
> 1/3 of world population is infected with TB
Absolute number has been falling since 2006