Infective Gastroenteritis

Question 1

What are the three things that allow for infection?

Answer 1

1. Mucosal Adherence
2. Mucosal Invasion
3. Toxin Production

Question 2

What bacteria produce toxins? (3)

Answer 2

Staph Aureus, Bacillus Cereus, E.coli

Question 3

What causes bloody diarrhoea?

Answer 3

Invasins disrupt host cell cytoskeletons

Question 4

What organisms cause bloody diarrhoea?

Answer 4

Shigella and Campylobacter

Question 5

Is it common?

Answer 5

the most common type of acute GI infection, 2 million die worldwide from diarrhoea each year

Question 6

What causes gastroenteritis in children?

Answer 6

Often caused by viral infections such as Norovirus or Rotavirus (quick transmission and lasts for 48 hours)

Question 7

Risk Factors (3)

Answer 7

Contaminated food and water, water sports, immunosuppressed

Question 8

Symptoms (7)

Answer 8

Watery/bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating, dehydration, weight loss, anorexia

Question 9

Signs (2)

Answer 9

Pyrexia, Abdominal Distension

Question 10

Differentials (4)

Answer 10

Bacterial or Viral cause, Parasitic infection, IBD, IBS

Question 11

What bloods would you do?

Answer 11

FBC, U&E, LFT, ESR, CRP, Blood cultures

Question 12

Other investigations:

Answer 12

Stool microscopy & culture

Question 13

What is the First line treatment?

Answer 13

Oral rehydration solutions

Question 14

Other treatments: (4)

Answer 14

Anti-emetics, Loperamide (not to be given in dysentry)

Antibiotics if systemically unwell, elderly or immunosuppressed, IV fluids

Question 15

Complications: (4)

Answer 15

Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (esp E.Coli), Toxic megacolon, Perforation, Hypovolaemia