Introduction to Infections 1 Flashcards
What is the difference between active & passive immunity?
Active: antibodies are formed when an antigen is present, & can occur via infection or a vaccine.
Passive: transfer of antibodies from one individual to another, e.g. across the placenta during pregnancy, or via a blood transfusion.
What are the stain colours of a gram positive & gram negative bacteria?
GRAM POSITIVE: BLUE STAIN
GRAM NEGATIVE: PINK STAIN
What are some possible shapes of bacteria?
Cocci, bacillus, or spiral.
What is the difference between anaerobes & aerobes?
Anaerobes: organisms that live in the absence of oxygen.
Aerobes: organisms that live in the presence of oxygen, & can be from certain bacteria, fungi, yeast & algae.
What infection is caused by a gram positive bacteria in some foods, and should be avoided in pregnancy?
Listeria
What type of bacteria causes MRSA?
Staphylococcus.
Which type of bacteria is normally harmless, but can also be opportunistic?
Streptococcus.
What type of infections can gram negative bacteria be responsible for?
- E. coli (food poisoning)
- H. Pylori
- Salmonella
- UTIs
What does a virion’s cell structure look like?
A envelope containing envelope proteins, then a matrix layer underneath. Inside, the DNA or RNA is encapsulated in a capsid (protein-like shell)
How does a virion infect a host cell?
The virion infects its genome into the DNA of the host cell & disrupts its regulatory genes.
What are opportunistic fungal infections?
They are fungal infections which can be seen in patients with overwhelmed immune systems, e.g. HIV, AIDS, cancer, immunosuppressive patients.
Limited anti-fungal agents are available.
What is acute sepsis?
It is an extreme response to an infection.
What is the most common parasitic infection?
Malaria.
What is the goal of the antibiotic stewardship?
Its goal of strategy is to slow the development & spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
What 3 things does the antibiotic stewardship focus on?
- Improving knowledge & understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
- Conserving existing treatment
- Stimulate development of new antibiotics
What are some examples of objective signs during an infection?
They are biochemical/measurable markers.
- WBC
- RBC
- Neutrophils
- Platelets
- CURB-65
- HR/RR
- Renal/liver function
What are some examples of subjective observations during an infection?
They are physical signs present.
- Confusion
- Fever/pain/aches
- Localised site of infection
- Temperature
What are some patient factors you can consider before giving a patient an antibiotic?
- If the correct antibiotic is given to them
- Drug safety - allergies, renal/liver function
- Consider patient group - elderly, child, pregnant
- Consider absorption/bioavailability issues
- When they should take the antibiotic
- Consider patient adherence & preference
What is Start Smart?
It is a strategy to improve antimicrobial prescribing & reduce anti-microbial resistance (AMR) as much as possible.
What points are involved in the Start Smart strategy?
- Start antibiotic within 1h of diagnosis in urgent patients without prescribing guidelines
- Obtain cultures before treatments
- Document process - dose/route/duration/indication
- Do not start antibiotic therapy unless there is a clear sign of infection
What are some possible options to consider after diagnosing a patient who has undergone the Start Smart strategy?
- Stop the antibiotic
- Switch the formula
- Change the drug
- Continue the drug
- Document the next review date
