Infectious Disorders

Question 1

Nosocomial infections

Answer 1

Develop within 48h of hospitalisation, <3 days after discharge or within 30 days of a surgical procedure without evidence of prior infection

Question 2

Nosocomial infection sources

Answer 2

Endogenous - chemotherapy, glucocorticoids, antimicrobials
Exogenous - poor hygiene, contaminated area

Question 3

Risk factors for nosocomial infection

Answer 3

Prolonged hospital stay
Understaffing and overcrowding
Poor hygiene/disinfection practices
Indwelling devices
Mechanical ventilation
Comorbidities
Severity of underlying disease
Poor immune function

Question 4

Prevention of nosocomial infections

Answer 4

Frequent hand washing
Good disinfection protocols
Keep patients in hospital only whilst completely necessary
Training
Avoid inappropriate antimicrobials

Question 5

Mycoplasma

Answer 5

Smallest free-living and self-replicating microorganisms that lack a protective cell wall so are easily damaged outside of the host. They get their nutrients from the mucosal surfaces that they colonise and manifest generally as respiratory infections in cats but also ocular, nervous and urogenital systems.

Question 6

Feline signs of respiratory mycoplasma infection

Answer 6

Coughing
Nasal discharge
Dyspnoea/tachypnoea
Blepharospasm
Conjunctivitis
Chemosis
Ocular discharge

Question 7

Diagnosis of mycoplasma

Answer 7

Lack cell wall so gram staining ineffective (-ve stain electron microscopy instead)
Neutrophilic inflammation
TTW
Swab and PCR
Culture - gold standard

Question 8

Treatment of mycoplasma

Answer 8

Tetracyclines, macrolides, lincosamide, fluoro’s, chloramphenicol
** B-lactam resistance **
Supportive care

Question 9

Actinomycosis

Answer 9

Anaerobic and G+ and normally found on MM of GIT and urogenital tract and effect the mucosa they colonise. Large outdoor dogs mostly affected. Abscesses with draining tracts, peritonitis, cellulitis etc

Question 10

Nocardiosis

Answer 10

Aerobic and gram positive that ARE NOT part of normal flora but found in soil. Have seen in conjunction with distemper and similar presenting signs as actinomycosis.

Question 11

Protective

Question 12

Protective mechanisms of the G+ cell

Answer 12

Outer capsule/biofilm
B-Lactamases that prevent PBP binding
Petidoglycan cell wall
Lipoteichoic acid that induces pro inflammatory mediator and NO release

Question 13

Types of G+ bacteria

Answer 13

Streptococcus
Staphylococcus
Enterococcus

Question 14

Enrofloxacin in cats

Answer 14

Not to exceed 5mg/kg/day as may induce temporary or permanent blindness