Infective disease Flashcards
Gram Positive cocc
staPhylococci + strePtococci (including enterococci)
Gram Negative cocci
Neisseria meningitidis + Neisseria gonorrhoeae, also Moraxella
Gram positive rods (bacilli)
- Actinomyces
- Bacillus antracis (anthrax)
- Clostridium
- Diphtheria: Corynebacterium diphtheriae
- Listeria monocytogenes
Antibiotics with anti-anaerobic activity
Penicillins
* Cephalosporins (except ceftazidime)
* Erythromycin
* Metronidazole
* Tetracycline
Antibiotics with NO anti-anaerobic activity
- Gentamicin
- Ciprofloxacin
- Ceftazidime
Incubation Periods - Less than 1 week
Scarlet fever
* Influenza
* Diphtheria
* Meningococcus
Incubation Periods 1 - 2 weeks
Malaria
* Measles
* Dengue fever
* T yphoid
Incubation Periods 3 weeks
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Chickenpox
Incubation Periods Longer than 3 weeks
Infectious mononucleosis
* Cytomegalovirus
* Viral hepatitis
* HIV
Live attenuated vaccines
- BCG
- measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- oral polio
- oral typhoid*
- yellow fever
Whole killed organism/inactivated (injectable killed typhoid is no longer used in the UK)
rabies
* influenza
Detoxified exotoxins vaccines
- tetanus
Fragment/Extracts of the organism or virus (may also be produced using recombinant DNA technology)vaccines
diphtheria
* pertussis (‘acellular’ vaccine)
* heptitis B
* meningococcus, pneumococcus, hemophilus
cholera vaccine
contains inactivated Inaba and Ogawa strains of Vibrio cholerae together with recombinant B-subunit of the cholera toxin
hep vaccine
contains HBsAg adsorbed onto aluminium hydroxide adjuvant and is prepared from yeast cells using recombinant DNA technology
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Hepatitis A
- Human Normal Immunoglobulin (HNIG) or hepatitis A vaccine may be used depending on the clinical situation
ppost-Exposure Prophylaxis Hepatitis b
HBsAg positive source: if the person exposed is a known responder to HBV vaccine then a booster dose should be given. If they are in the process of being vaccinated or are a non- responder they need to have hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and the vaccine
* Unknown source: for known responders the green book advises considering a booster dose of HBV vaccine. For known non-responders HBIG + vaccine should be given whilst those in the process of being vaccinated you have an accelerated course of HBV vaccine
post-Exposure Prophylaxis Hepatitis c
- Monthly PCR - if seroconversion then interferon +/- ribavirin
HIV post-Exposure Prophylaxis
- A combination of oral antiretrovirals (e.g. Tenofovir, emtricitabine, lopinavir and ritonavir) as soon as possible (i.e. Within 1-2 hours, but may be started up to 72 hours following exposure) for 4 weeks
- Serological testing at 12 weeks following completion of post-exposure prophylaxis
- ↓ risk of transmission by 80%
Varicella zoster post-Exposure Prophylaxis
VZIG for IgG negative pregnant women/immunosuppressed
Tetanus vaccine
cell-free purified toxin that is given as part of a combined vaccine (e.g. combined with diphtheria and inactivated polio vaccine)
Tetanus vaccine is currently given in the UK as part of the routine immunisation schedule at:
* 2 months
* 3 months
* 4 months
* 3-5 years
* 13-18 years
Intramuscular human tetanus immunoglobuli
should be given to patients with high-risk wounds (e.g. compound fractures, delayed surgical intervention, significant degree of devitalised tissue) irrespective of whether 5 doses of tetanus vaccine have previously been given
If vaccination history is incomplete or unknown then a dose of tetanus vaccine should be given combined with intramuscular human tetanus immunoglobulin for high-risk wounds
Tetanus is caused by
tetanospasmin exotoxin released from Clostridium tetani. Tetanus spores are present in soil and may be introduced into the body from a wound, which is often unnoticed. Tetanospasmin prevents release of GABA
Tetanus features
- Prodrome fever, lethargy, headache
- Trismus (lockjaw)
- Risus sardonicus
- Opisthotonus (arched back, hyperextended neck)
- Spasms (e.g. Dysphagia)
Management Tetanus
Supportive therapy including ventilatory support and muscle relaxants
* Intramuscular human tetanus immunoglobulin for high-risk wounds (e.g. Compound fractures,
delayed surgical intervention, significant degree of devitalised tissue)
* Metronidazole is now preferred to benzylpenicillin as the antibiotic of choice
HIV seroconversio
symptomatic in 60-80% of patients and typically presents as a glandular fever type illness. ↑ symptomatic severity is associated with poorer long term prognosis. It typically occurs
3-12 weeks after infection
Man returns from trip abroad with maculopapular rash and flu-like illness
- think HIV seroconversion
HIV features
Features
* Sore throat
* Lymphadenopathy
* Malaise, myalgia, arthralgia
* Diarrhoea
* Maculopapular rash
* Mouth ulcers
* Rarely meningoencephalitis
HIV diagnosis
Diagnosis
* Antibodies to HIV may not be present
* HIV PCR and p24 antigen tests can confirm
diagnosis
HIV immunology: The following immunological changes are seen in progressive HIV:
Reduction in CD4 count
* Increase B2-Microglobulin (IBM)
* Decrease IL-2 production (DIL=DELL)
* Polyclonal B-cell activation
* ↓ NK cell function
* ↓ delayed hypersensitivity responses
Vaccines that can be used if CD4 > 200
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) ● V aricella●
Yellow Fever●
Contraindicated in HIV- infected adults
Cholera* CVD103-HgR● Influenza-intranasal● Poliomyelitis-oral (OPV) ● Tuberculosis (BCG) ●
Vaccines that can be used in all HIV-infected adults
Hepatitis A ▲
Hepatitis B ■
Hemophilua ■ influenzae B,HiB Influenza-parenteral▲
Japanese encephalitis▲ Meningococcus■-MenC Meningococcus■-ACWY I Pneumococcus■-PPV23 Poliomyelitis-parenteral (IPV)▲ Rabies ▲
Tetanus-Diphtheria (TD)
Diarrhea is common in patients with HIV. This may be due to the effects of the virus itself (HIV enteritis) or opportunistic infections causes
ossible causes
* Cryptosporidium + other protozoa (most
common)
* Cytomegalovirus
* Mycobacterium avium intracellulare * Giardia
common infective cause of diarrhoea in HIV patients.
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium organism
ntracellular protozoon and has an incubation period of 7 days.
Cryptosporidium diagnosis
modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain (acid-fast stain) of the stool may reveal the characteristic red cysts of Cryptosporidium. Molecular methods are currently used mainly as a research tool. Treatment is difficult, with the mainstay of management being supportive therapy. (nitazoxanide is licensed in the US for immunocompetent patients)
Mycobacterium avium intracellulare HIV
atypical mycobacteria seen with the CD4 count is below 50. Typical features include fever, sweats, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
hepatomegaly and deranged LFTs. Diagnosis is made by blood cultures and bone marrow examination. Management is with rifampicin, ethambutol and clarithromycin
Pregnancy: HIV Factors which ↓ vertical transmission (from 25-30% to 2%)
- Maternal antiretroviral therapy
- Mode of delivery (caesarean section)
- Neonatal antiretroviral therapy
- Infant feeding (bottle feeding)
Antiretroviral therapy HIV pregnancy
All pregnant women should be offered antiretroviral therapy regardless of whether they were
taking it previously
* If women are not currently taking antiretroviral therapy it is usually commenced between 28
and 32 weeks of gestation and should be continued intrapartum
Mode of delivery HIV delivery
- Elective caesarean section*
- A zidovudine infusion should be started four hours before beginning the caesarean section
Neonatal antiretroviral therapy HIV pregnancy
Neonatal antiretroviral therapy
* Zidovudine is usually administered orally to the neonate for four to six weeks
baby feeding HIV
fant feeding
* In the UK all women should be advised not to breast feed
*the 2008 BHIVA guidelines suggest vaginal delivery may be an option for women on HAART who have an undetectable viral load but whether this will translate into clinical practice remains to be seen
Kaposi’s sarcoma
- Caused by HHV-8 (Human Herpes Virus 8)
- Presents as purple papules or plaques on the skin or mucosa (e.g. Gastrointestinal and
respiratory tract) - Skin lesions may later ulcerate
- Respiratory involvement may cause massive
hemoptysis and pleural effusion - Radiotherapy + resection
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
hilst the organism Pneumocystis carinii is now referred to as Pneumocystis jiroveci, the term Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is still in common use
* Pneumocystis jiroveci is an unicellular eukaryote, generally classified as a fungus but some authorities consider it a protozoa
* PCP is the most common opportunistic infection in AIDS
* All patients with a CD4 count < 200/mm3 should receive PCP prophylaxis
PCP features
Features
* Dyspnea
* Dry cough
* Fever
* Very few chest signs
Extrapulmonary manifestations are rare (1-2% of cases), may cause
* Hepatosplenomegaly
* Lymphadenopathy
Immune Reconstitution Uveitis
: occurs in AIDS in response to immune system recovery, there is granulamtous uveitis that leads to reduced vision and eye discoloration
PCP - Investigation
CXR: typically shows bilateral interstitial pulmonary infiltrates but can present with other x-ray
findings e.g. lobar consolidation. May be normal
* Exercise-induced desaturation
* Sputum often fails to show PCP, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) often needed to demonstrate
PCP (silver stain)
PCP Management
Management
* Co-trimoxazole
* IV pentamidine in severe cases
* Steroids if hypoxic (if pO2 < 9.3kpa then steroids ↓ risk of respiratory failure by 50% and death
by a third)
The most common cause of biliary disease in patients with HIV
sclerosing cholangitis due to
infections such as CMV, Cryptosporidium and Microsporidia
Pancreatitis in the context of HIV infection
may be secondary to anti-retroviral treatment
(especially didanosine) or by opportunistic infections e.g. CMV
Meningitis Meningococcus
Management
Meningococcus
* If penicillin allergic then give chloramphenicol
* If there is NO A HISTORY OF ANAPHYLAXIS then cefotaxime may be considered for
penicillin allergic patients
MeningitisManagement of contacts
- Prophylaxis needs to be offered to household and close contacts of patients affected with meningococcal meningitis
- Rifampicin or ciprofloxacin may be used
- The risk is highest in the first 7 days but persists for at least 4 weeks
- Meningococcal vaccination should be offered when serotype results are available, for close
contacts who have not previously been vaccinated*
Meningococcal septicemia:
nvestigations
* Blood cultures
* Blood PCR, if antibiotic was already started.
* Lumbar puncture is usually contraindicated
* Full blood count and clotting to assess for disseminated intravascular coagulation
α hemolytic streptococci
The most important α hemolytic Streptococcus is Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). Pneumococcus is a common cause of pneumonia, meningitis and otitis media. Another clinical example is Streptococcus viridans
β hemolytic streptococci - group a
Most important organism is Streptococcus pyogenes
* Responsible for erysipelas, impetigo, cellulitis, type 2 necrotizing fasciitis & pharyngitis/tonsillitis * Immunological reactions can cause rheumatic fever or post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
* Erythrogenic toxins cause scarlet fever
* Penicillin is the antibiotic of choice for group A streptococcal infections
β hemolytic streptococci - group b
Streptococcus agalactiae may lead to neonatal meningitis and septicemia
Cellulitis: the BNF recommends
penicillin + flucloxacillin as first-line treatment for cellulitis.
Erythromycin is recommended in patients allergic to penicillin. Treatment failure is now commonly
treated with oral clindamycin.
Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome
describes a severe systemic reaction to staphylococcal exotoxins. It came to prominence in the early 1980’s following a series of cases related to infected tampons
Complications chicken pox
- Encephalitis: typically occurs 1-2 weeks after the onset of the illness.
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: very rare, may present 5-10 years
following the illness - Febrile convulsions
- Pneumonia, tracheitis
- Keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulceration
- Diarrhoea
- ↑ incidence of appendicitis
- Myocarditis
Kaposi’s sarcoma
- Caused by HHV-8 (Human Herpes Virus 8)
- Presents as purple papules or plaques on the skin or mucosa (e.g. Gastrointestinal and
respiratory tract) - Skin lesions may later ulcerate
- Respiratory involvement may cause massive
hemoptysis and pleural effusion - Radiotherapy + resection
Immune Reconstitution Uveitis:
occurs in AIDS in response to immune system recovery, there is granulamtous uveitis that leads to reduced vision and eye discoloration
PCP management
Management
* Co-trimoxazole
* IV pentamidine in severe cases
* Steroids if hypoxic (if pO2 < 9.3kpa then steroids ↓ risk of respiratory failure by 50% and death
by a third)
most common cause of biliary disease in patients with HIV
sclerosing cholangitis due to
infections such as CMV, Cryptosporidium and Microsporidia
Pancreatitis in the context of HIV infection
secondary to anti-retroviral treatment
(especially didanosine) or by opportunistic infections e.g. CMV
Listeria monocytogenes
Gram positive bacillus which has the unusual ability to multiply at low temperatures. It is typically spread via contaminated food, typically unpasteurised dairy products. Infection is particularly dangerous to the unborn child where it can lead to miscarriage
Features - can present in a variety of ways
* Diarrhoea, flu-like illness
* Pneumonia , meningoencephalitis
* Ataxia and seizures
Suspected Listeria infection should be investigated by taking blood cultures. CSF may reveal a
pleocytosis, with ‘tumbling motility’ on wet mounts
Management Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria is sensitive to amoxicillin/ampicillin (cephalosporins usually inadequate)
* Listeria meningitis should be treated with IV amoxicillin/ampicillin and gentamicin
Anthrax is caused by
Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram positive rod. It is spread by infected carcasses
Anthrax features
Features
* Causes painless black eschar (cutaneous ‘malignant pustule’, but no pus)
* Typically painless and non-tender
* May cause marked edema
* Anthrax can cause gastrointestinal bleeding
Anthrax management
Management
* The current Health Protection Agency advice for the initial management of cutaneous anthrax is ciprofloxacin
* Further treatment is based on microbiological investigations and expert advice
Who should be screened for MRSA?
- All patients awaiting elective admissions (exceptions include day patients having terminations
of pregnancy and ophthalmic surgery. Patients admitted to mental health trusts are also
excluded) - From 2011 all emergency admissions will be screened
The following antibiotics are commonly used in the treatment of MRSA infections:
- Vancomycin
- Teicoplanin
MRSA resistance
ome strains may be sensitive to the antibiotics listed below but they should not generally be used alone because resistance may develop:
* Rifampicin
* Macrolides
* Tetracyclines
* Aminoglycosides * Clindamycin
Legionnaire’s disease
intracellular bacterium Legionella pneumophilia. It is typically colonizes water tanks and hence questions may hint at air-conditioning systems or foreign holidays. Person-to-person transmission is not seen
Legionnaire’s disease features
- Flu-like symptoms * Dry cough
- Lymphopenia
- Hyponatremia
- Deranged LFTs
Legionnaire’s
Urinary antigen
* Treat with erythromycin
Leptospirosis (Weil’s disease)
leptospirosis is commonly seen in questions referring to sewage workers, farmers, vets or people who work in abattoir. It is caused by the spirochaete Leptospira interrogans (serogroup L icterohemorrhagiae), classically being spread by contact with infected rat urine. Weil’s disease should always be considered in high-risk patients with hepatorenal failure. The term Weil’s disease referrs for the most severe 10% of cases of leptospirosis associated with jaundice
Leptospirosis (Weil’s disease) features
eatures
* Fever
* Flu-like symptoms → WITHOU PRODUCTIVE COUGH
* Renal failure (seen in 50% of patients)
* Jaundice
* Subconjunctival hemorrhage
* Headache, may herald the onset of meningitis
Management
* A lumbar puncture should ideally be done first to confirm meningeal involvement, if there are meningeal symptoms.
* High-dose benzylpenicillin or doxycycline
Acute epiglottitis
is rare but serious infection caused by Hemophilus influenzae type B. Prompt recognition and treatment is essential as airway obstruction may develop. Epiglottitis generally occurs in children between the ages of 2 and 6 years. The incidence of epiglottitis has ↓ since the introduction of the Hib vaccine
Features
* Rapid onset
* Unwell, toxic child
* Stridor
* Drooling of saliva
Lyme Disease cause
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto is the main cause of Lyme disease in the United States, whereas Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii cause most European cases.
Lyme Disease features
Early features
* Erythema chronicum migrans (small papule often at site of the tick bite which develops into a larger annular lesion with central clearing, occurs in 70% of patients)
* Systemic symptoms: malaise, fever, arthralgia
Later features
* CVS: heart block, myocarditis
* Neurological: cranial nerve palsies, meningitis
TB & Anti-TB theMantoux test
- Immune mediated type IV hypersensitivity reaction
- Ml of 1:1,000 purified protein derivative (PPD) injected intradermally
- Result read 2-3 days later
- Erythema & induration > 10mm = positive result - this implies previous exposure including
BCG
TB Heaf test
classically involves injection of PPD equivalent to 100,000 units per ml to the skin over the flexor surface of the left forearm. It is then read 3-10 days later
Grades 1 and 2 may be the result of previous BCG or avian tuberculosis whilst grades 3 or 4 require a CXR and follow-up
Head test - false negative
- Miliary TB
- Sarcoidosis
- HIV
- Lymphoma
- Very young age (e.g. < 6 months)
The standard therapy for treating active tuberculosis is:
- Rifampicin
- Isoniazid
- Pyrazinamide
- Ethambutol (in 2006 NICE recommend giving a ‘fourth drug’ such as ethambutol routinely -
previously this was only added if drug-resistant tuberculosis was suspected)
Continuation phase - next 4 months - Rifampicin
- Isoniazid
Latent tuberculosis: treatment
isoniazid alone for 6 months
SE Rifampicin
- Potent liver enzyme inducer
- Hepatitis
Orange secretions * Flu-like symptoms
used in resistant TB
Streptomycin
Directly observed therapy 3 per week dosing regimen may be indicated in certain groups, including:
- Homeless people with active tuberculosis
- Patients who are likely to have poor concordance
- All prisoners with active or latent tuberculosis