Lower Respiratory Tract Infections Flashcards
What is the definition of pneumonia?
Infection of lung parenchyma (alveoli) most commonly due to a bacterial cause, associated with clinical and / or radiological evidence of consolidation
What is the pathophysiology of pneumonia?
Pathogens must reach the alveoli.
- host defenses overwhelmed by pathogen virulence or inoculum
- alveolar macrophages produce cytokines to recruit neutrophils
What is the initial step in pneumonia infection?
Colonization of upper airways is initial step in infection
What factors predispose to the development of pneumonia?
- alterations in levels of consciousness can compromise epiglottic closure and result in aspiration of oropharyngeal of microbiota
- pathogens can interfere with normal ciliary function
- the defenses of the lung when working normally maintain low microbial concentrations in the lower airways
- HIV compromises many of the components of the pulmonary defenses
- pulmonary oedema or malnutrition can also impair host defenses
What is community acquired pneumonia?
Acute infection of the lower respiratory tract acquired in the community
In general, what are the causes of community acquired pneumonia?
Many possible causes, but only a few pathogens account for most of the cases
- Mixed bacterial and viral infections COMMON (especially in paeds)
What are the common bacterial causes of community acquired pneumonia?
- Streptococcus Pneumoniae
- Haemophilus Influenzae
- Staphylococcus Aureus
- Atypical gram-negative bacilli (e.g. Klebsiella pneumoniae)
What are some of the atypical pathogens that cause community acquired pneumonia?
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Chlamydophilia pneumoniae
- Legionella species
- Bordetella pertussis
What is the most common viral pneumonia in adults?
Influenza A or B (very common in kids too)
What are the common viral causes of community acquired pneumonia?
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- Influenzae A or B
- Human Metapneumovirus
What are the two main opportunistic pathogens that cause community acquired pneumonia?
- Pneumocystis Jirovecii (PJP)
2. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
What is the most common bacterial cause of community acquired pneumonia?
S. Pneumoniae
What is the most common cause of viral community acquired pneumonia in children?
RSV
especially in <3 year olds
What is the most common viral cause of community acquired pneumonia in adults?
Influenza Virus
How common are atypical pathogens as a cause of community acquired pneumonia?
Relatively uncommon in SA
Where is PJP commonly seen as a cause of community acquired pneumonia?
In HIV-infected patients with a CD4 count <200
What is important when considering causes of community acquired pneumonia in the HIV positive population?
In HIV the causes of community acquired pneumonia are the same…
BUT
Must consider opportunistic infections
AND
NB to look for TB! Infection with mycobacterium tuberculosis may present as an acute infection
S. Pneumoniae: what is the classification?
Gram-positive diplococci, alpha-haemolysis
- mucoid, draughtsman colonies - flat in the middle
S. Pneumoniae: how is immunological protection mediated?
Immunological protection is mediated through antibodies directed against capsular polysaccharides
S. Pneumoniae: What has been the effect of the vaccine?
Conjugate pneumococcal vaccine implemented in the SA EPI: the vaccine protects against 14 of the >92 serotypes.
- since the introduction of the vaccine there has been a significant decline in the 14 serotypes of the vaccine
- but this has created a niche for the other serotypes to grow, the others are therefore increasing
S. Pneumoniae: What does the vaccine protect against?
Effective in preventing pneumococcal pneumonia, invasive pneumococcal disease and otitis media
+ Herd immunity
Atypical Pneumonia presentation
Atypical pneumonia is slower in onset and milder and not associated with lobar consolidation versus lobar pneumonia
What is the peak incidence of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae?
5-15 year olds