MICR_041213 Gramneg Flashcards
When does an opportunistic infection present itself?
immunocompromised patients
What is characteristic of the pathogens that cause opportunistic infections? (2)
1) many carry antibiotic resistance genes, 2) many form biofilm
What is a nosocomial infection?
hospital-acquired infection
What is biofilm?
dense microbial communities surrounded by an extracellular matrix
T/F biofilm bacteria have increased resistance to anti-microbial agents compared to others.
True.
What is quorum sensing?
mechanism by which bacteria coordinate certain behaviors (ie induction of virulence factors) based on the local density of the bacterial population; occurs via signaling molecules
What type of infections/diseases can E. coli cause? (4) Which of these are caused by commensal e. coli? Specialized e. coli?
SPECIALIZED STRAINS: GI infections, COMMENSAL STRAINS: UTI, bacteremia, meningitis
What is UPEC?
uropathogenic e. coli
What does UPEC cause?
95% of all non-hospital acquired UTIs
What two infections does UPEC cause?
cystitis and pyelonephritis
What is cystitis?
inflammation of the bladder; caused by UPEC
What are some symptoms of cystitis?
dysuria (burning during urination), frequency, urgency, suprapubic tenderness
What is pylenophritis?
UTI that has spread to the kidneys; caused by UPEC
What are some symptoms of pylenonephritis?
dysuria (burning during urination), frequency, urgency, flank pain/tenderness, fever
What is the virulence factors of UPEC? (6)
1) adhesins (pili/fimbral vs non-fimbrial), 2) biofilm, 3) LPS, 4) capsule, 5) exotoxins (hemolysins), 6) motility
What type of virulence factors of UPEC cause cystitis?
FIMBRIAL/PILI: P, Prs, Type I, S. NONFIMBRIAL ADHESIN: Dr.
What type of virulence factors of UPEC cause pylenonephritis?
P pili and F adhesin
How can you determine if an organism expresses a mannose sensitive pili?
Use a hemagglutination test
What does it mean to be a mannose sensitive UPEC?
adhesion of UPEC is BLOCKED by mannosides on uroepithelial cells.
What does it mean to be a mannose resistant UPEC?
adhesion of UPEC is NOT BLOCKED by mannosides on uroepithelial cells.
What are the normal routes of entry that enable e. coli to cause bacteremia?
UTI (when urinary flow is obstructed), catheters, intestinal infections (less frequent)
What are the virulence factors involved in e. coli-induced bacteremia?
K1 capsule, endotoxin (LPS)
How does the K1 capsule confer pathogenicity in e. coli?
it convers anti-phagocytic properties and serum resistance (allows it to evade phagocytosis)