Micro Flashcards
Main pathogens that cause SSIs
Surgical site infections:
Staphlococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA)
Escherichia coli
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pathology and types of SSIs
Wound contamination
- superficial incisional (skin and subcut. tissue)
- deep incisional (fascial and muscle)
- organ/space infection (any part of anatomy other than incision)
Mx of SSIs
Ix
- clinical + wound swabs
Tx
- abx; flucloxacillin for Staph
Main pathogens that cause septic arthritis
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococci
- pyogenes, pneumonia, agalactiae
Gram-negative
- Escherichia coli
Bacterial proliferation occurs in synovial fluid -> inflammatory response
Mx of septic arthritis
Ix
- joint aspirate, MC&S
- synovial count >50,000 WBC/ml
- blood culture
Tx
- IV abx
- drain joint
Risk factors for septic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis Osteoarthritis Joint prosthesis IVDU Diabetes, CKD, CLD Immunosuppression Trauma
Main pathogen that causes osteomyelitis
Staphylococcus aureus
Mx of osteomyelitis
Ix
- MRI (90% sensitive)
- blood cultures
- bone biopsy for culture/histology
Tx
- IV abx, at least 6 weeks
- 2nd line; debridement
What results in osteomyelitis?
Acute haematogenous spread of bacteria or exogenous spread (implantation during surgery)
Mainly localises into lumbar spine, can also localise in cervical spine causing back pain, fever, and neurological impairment
Main pathogen that causes prosthetic joint infection
Coagulase-negative staphylococci
Staphylococcus aureus
Escherichia coli
Mx of prosthetic joint infection
Ix
- XR/CT/MRI shows ‘loosening’
- joint aspirate; CAUTION can cause infection if not already
Tx
- IV abx
- remove prosthesis and revise replacement
How may chronic osteomyelitis present?
Pain
Brodie’s abscess (within long bones)
Sinus tract of recurring infection in soft tissue over bone
Which abx drug class inhibit cell wall synthesis?
Beta-lactams
- penicillins
- cephalosporins (1-3 gens)
- carbapenems
Glycopeptides
Which abx drug class inhibit protein synthesis?
Aminoglycosides
Macrolides
Chloramphenicol
Oxazolidinones
Which abx drug class inhibits DNA synthesis?
Fluoroquinolones
Nitroimidazoles
Which abx drug class produces cell membrane toxins?
Polymyxin
Cyclic lipopetide
Which abx drug class inhibits RNA synthesis?
Rifamycin
Which abx drug class inhibits folate metabolism?
Sulfonamides
Diaminopyrimidines
Which abx are indicated for MRSA?
Glycopeptides
- vancomycin
- teicoplanin
Oxazolidinones
- linezolid
Cyclic lipopeptide
- daptomycin
Which abx are indicated against gram positive bacteria?
Beta-lactams
- amoxicillin
Macrolides
- erythromycin (penicillin allergy)
Oxazolidinones
- linezolid
Cyclic lipopeptide
- daptomycin
Which abx are indicated against gram negative bacteria?
3rd gen cephalosporin
- ceftriaxone
Carbapenems
- meropenem
Aminoglycosides (for sepsis)
- gentamicin
Fluoroquinolones
- ciprofloxacin
Polymyxin
- colistin
Which abx are indicated for the following conditions:
a) C. diff
b) Chlamydia
c) Atypical pneumonia
d) Bacterial conjunctivitis
e) Anaerobes/protozoa
f) PCP
g) UTI
a) Glycopeptides; vancomycin, teicoplanin
b) Tetracycline; doxycycline
c) Macrolide; erythromycin
d) Chloramphenicol eye drops
e) Nitroimidazoles; metronidazole
f) Sulfonamide; sulphamethoxazole
g) Diaminopyrimidine; trimethoprim
Which abx are indicated for VRE?
Vancomycin resistant enterococci
Oxazolidinones
- linezolid
Cyclic lipopeptide
- daptomycin
Name broad spectrum abx
Co-amoxiclav (amox + clavulanic acid)
Tazocin (piperacillin + tazobactam)
Ciprofloxacin
Meropenem
Name narrow spectrum abx
Flucloxacillin
Metronidazole
Gentamicin
Name the four mechanisms of abx resistance, including an example for each
- Bypasses abx-sensitive step in pathway, i.e. MRSA
- Enzyme-mediated drug inactivation, i.e. beta-lactams
- Impairment of accumulation of drug, i.e. tetracycline resistance
- Modification of drug’s target in microbe, i.e. quinolone resistance
Which abx is likely prescribed for a skin infection?
Flucloxacillin (unless allergic) against Staph. aureus
Which abx is likely prescribed for pharyngitis?
Benzylpenicillin against beta-haemolytic strep
Which abx is likely prescribed for community-acquired pneumonia?
Amoxicillin if mild
co-amox + clarithromycin if severe
Which abx is likely prescribed for hospital-acquired pneumonia?
Co-amox + gent/tazocin
Which abx is likely prescribed for bacterial meningitis?
Ceftriazone against meningococcus/streptococcus
Amox if listeria suspected (baby/old)
Which abx is likely prescribed for a UTI?
Community
- Trimethoprim
- Nitrofurantoin
Nosocomial
- Co-amox
- Cephalexin
Which abx is likely prescribed for sepsis?
Severe
- tazocin/cetriazone
+ metronidazole
+/- gentamicin
Neutropenic
- tazocin
+ gentamicin
Which abx is likely prescribed for colitis?
Metronidazole against C. diff
Vancomycin 2nd line
Presentation of TB
Fever, night swears, wt loss, malaise
Cough, haemoptysis
More likely in immunosuppressed pts
Ix for TB
CXR - upper lobe cavitation
Sputum samples x3 - microscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage
Tuberculin skin tests (Mantoux/Heaf) - show exposure
IGRA (Elispot/Quantiferon) - show exposure NOT BCG
What is the gold-standard ix for TB?
Ziehl-Neelson stain for culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium for 6 weeks -> acid fast bacilli seen
How may TB present in pts with immunosuppresion?
Subacute meningitis
- headache, personality change, meningism, confusion, LP diagnosis
Spinal (Pott’s disease)
- back pain, discitis, vertebral destruction, iliopsoas abscess
Miliary TB
- disseminated haematogenous spread
Pericarditis, peritonitis, renal, testicular, liver TB the list goes on…
TB risk factors
Travel (South Asian/Eastern Europe) Recent migration HIV+ Homeless IVDU Close contacts
1st line TB tx
Rifampicin (6 months)
Isoniazid (6 months)
Pyrazinamide (2 months)
Ethambutol (2 months)
- take three/four for 2 months
- continue R and I for further 4 months
2nd line TB tx
Injectables (amikacin, kanamycin)
Quinolones
Linezolid
TB prophylaxis tx
Isoniazid monotherapy
What type of vaccine is BCG?
Bacille-Calmette-Guerin
- attenuated strain of M. bocis
- contraindicated in immunosuppression (live vaccine)
Side effects of TB tx
Rifampicin = orange secretions, CYP450 inducer, raised transaminases Isoniazid = peripheral neuropathy, hepatotoxicity Pyrazinamide = hepatotoxic Ethambutol = optic neuritis
Name four mycobacterial diseases
Leprosy (M. Leprae)
- skin pigmentation, nerve thickening, disability
Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare complex
- immunocompromised pts, disseminated infection
Mycobacterium Marinarum (fish tank granuloma) - aquarium owners, papules/plaques
Mycobacterium ulcerans (Buruli ulcer) - tropics/Australia, painless nodules progress to ulcers, scarring and contractures
Risk factors for reactivation of TB
Immunosuppression
Chronic alcohol excess
Malnutrition
Ageing
What classic lesions are seen in pulmonary TB?
Caseating granulomata found in lung parenchyma and mediastinal lymph nodes
Commonly in upper lobes
What does the tuberculin skin test do?
Mantoux test
- looks for previous exposure thus looks for latent TB
- delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction
- cross-reacts with BCG so can confuse interpretation
What do IGRAs do?
Interferon gamma release assays
- detection of antigen specific IFN gamma production to measure how many activated T cells against specific TB antigens
- no cross-reaction with BCG
- does NOT distinguish between latent and active TB
Risk factors for infective endocarditis
Long-term lines (i.e. ITU) IVDU Poor dentition/dental abscess Prosthetic valve Rheumatic heart disease Immunosuppression
Which pathogens are seen in acute infective endocarditis?
Acute -> high-virulence bacteria:
- Strep pyogenes (Group A Strep)
- Staph aureus (most common in IVDU)
- Coagulase-negative staphylococci (most common in prosthetic valve)
Which pathogens are seen in subacute infective endocarditis?
Subacute -> low-virulence bacteria:
- Staph epidermidis
- Strep viridans
- HACEK (uncommon and don’t grow on culture so consider if culture -ve)
- Haemophilus, Acinetobacter, Cardiobacterium, Eikinella, Kingella
How can infective endocarditis be classified?
Acute = fulminant illness, pt very unwell Subacute = over weeks/months, pt less unwell, more signs O/E
How can infective endocarditis be diagnosed?
Duke’s Criteria:
You need 2 major OR 1 major + 3 minor OR 5 minor criteria
Major
- +ve blood culture growing typical organisms (>2x cultures >12hrs apart)
- new regurgitant murmur or evidence of vegetation on ECHO
Minor
- Risk factor
- Fever > 38oC
- Embolic phenomena
- Immune phenomena
- +ve blood culture not meeting major criteria
What embolic phenomena may you see in infective endocarditis?
Janeway lesions Splinter haemorrhages Splenomegaly Septic abscesses in lungs/brains/spleen/kidney Microemboli
What immune phenomena may you see in infective endocarditis?
Roth spots
Osler’s nodes
Haematuria due to glomerulonephritis
Signs and sx of infective endocarditis
Fever
Anorexia, wt loss, malaise, fatigue, night sweats, SOB
New heart murmur, changes day to day, often regurgitant
Subacute will see embolic and immune phenomena
Which valves are involved in infective endocarditits?
Usually involves mitral and aortic valves
R sided (tricuspid) is most common in IVDU
Tx for infective endocarditis
IV abx for ~6 weeks (local guidelines)
- Acute = flucloxacillin
- Subacute = benzylpenicillin + gentamycin
- Prosthetic valve = vancomycin + gentamycin + rifampicin
Surgical debridement sometimes considered
How can UTIs be classified?
Uncomplicated vs complicated
- complicated = abnormal structure, men, catheters, pregnancy
Lower vs upper/pyelonephritis
Common pathogens causing UTIs
E. coli (can adhere to fimbriae)
Staph saphrophyticus (young women)
Proteus, Klebsiella (abnormal urinary tracts)
S aureus (haematogenous spread)
Presentation of UTI
Frequency, dysuria, abdo pain
- elderly = non-specific, delirium falls
- pyelonephritis = systemically unwell, fever + rigors, loin pain
- urosepsis = sepsis due to UTI
Ix of UTI
Clinical dx if typical sx
Urine dip = +ve nitrites (specific) & leukocytes (non-specific)
Urine MCS = culture of >10^4 units/ml is diagnostic
Rx of UTI
Check local guidelines
- lower UTI = nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim, cephalexin PO, 3d if uncomplicated, 7d if complicated/male
- pyelonephritis = admit, IV co-amox + gent
What UTI would be -ve nitrite and +ve leucocyte on dipstick?
Non-coliform bacterium
*nitrites produced by E. coli, suggestive of coliforms present in urine
Causes of sterile pyuria
Prior tx with abx Calculi Catheterisation Bladder neoplasm TB STI
Why can fungal infections be difficult to diagnose?
Slow growing
Can be masked by bacteria
Yeast vs Mould
Yeasts
- single celled, reproduce by budding
Mould
- multicellular hyphae, grow by branching and extension
What are fungi?
Eukaryotic organisms with chitinous cell walls and ergosterol plasma membranes
They take the form of yeasts or moulds
Which fungal infections are diagnosed by Wood’s Lamp examination?
Superficial
How are deep seated fungal infections diagnosed?
Clinical details
Lab results
Imaging
Who is at risk of fatal fungal infections?
Immunocompromised, i.e. malignancy, HIV, burns patients
Name two yeast fungal infections
Candida
Cryptococcus
Name two mould fungal infections
Dermatophytes
Aspergillus
Tx of candida
Fluconazole for C. albicans
Amphotericin-B for invasive disease
Aspergillus presentation
Pneumonia (especially in immunocompromised)
Tx of aspergillus
Voriconazole/intraconazole
+ ambisome
Cryptococcus presentation
Meningitis with insidious onset in HIV
Associated with birds, particularly pigeons ew
Tx of cryptococcus
3/52 amphotericin B
+/- flucytosine
What might India Ink staining of CSF show?
Cryptococcus fungal infection
What is PCP?
Pneumocystic jirovecii
- pneumonia
- cough, SOB, desaturates when walking
- associated with immunodeficiency, immunosuppressive drugs, severe protein malnutrition
What is the name for the following dermatophyte fungal infections affecting the following parts of the body?
a) Foot
b) Scalp
c) Groin
d) Abdomen
a) Tinea pedis
b) Tinea capitis
c) Tinea cruris
d) Tinea corporis
Which dermatophytes cause the following fungal infections?
a) Tinea pedis
b) Tinea capitis
c) Tinea cruris
d) Pityriasis versicolor
a) Trichophyton rubrum
b) Trichophyton rubrum, Tonsurans
c) Trichophyton rubrum, E. floccosum
d) Malassezia globosa/furfur
What do dermatophytes invade?
Dead keratin of skin, hair and nails
Name the antifungal drug classes available
Polyene Azole Terbinafine Flucytosine (pyrimidine analogue) Echinocandin
Which antifungals act against the cell membrane?
Polyene (integrity)
Azole (synthesis)
Terbinafine
Which antifungals act against DNA synthesis?
Flucytosine
Which antifungals act against the cell wall?
Echinocandin
Which antifungals are indicated for yeasts?
Polyene
Azole
Echinocandin
Which antifungals are indicated for moulds?
Terbinafine
When is amphotericin B used?
Cryptococcal meningitis
Invasive fungal infection
Presentation of STIs in men
Asx Urethral discharge Dysuria Scrotal pain/swelling Rash/sores Systemic sx
Presentation of STIs in women
Asx Vaginal discharge (+/- urethral, rectal) Ulceration painful/painless Itching/soreness 'lumps/growths' Abnormal bleeding (IMB, PCB) Abdo pain Dyspareunia Dysuria Systemic sx
Which STIs cause abnormal discharge?
Gonorrhoea Chlamydia Trichomonas Candida Bacterial Vaginosis
Which STIs cause ulceration?
Syphilis - painful HSV - painless LGV Chancroid Donovanosis
Which STIs cause rashes and lumps/growths?
Genital warts (HPV)
Molluscum contagiosum
Scabies
Pubic lice
Diagnosis and tx of gonorrhoea
Urethral (95% sensitive)/ rectal (20% sensitive) smear
Ceftriaxone IM - 250mg single dose
Complication of gonorrhoea during pregnancy
During vaginal delivery, baby develops opthalmia neonatorum (neonatal conjunctivitis) if left untreated
What may you see in complicated infections of gonorrhoea?
Men
- prostatitis
Women
- PID (salpingitis)
- ascending infection
Pts with complement deficiencies
- disseminated infection: sepsis, rash, arthritis
What would you see in an uncomplicated infection of gonorrhoea in a man?
Gonococcal urethritis
- mucoid/mucopurulent discharge
Post-gonococcal urethritis
- occurs after
- requires extra tetracycline to treat
Rectal proctitis
- seen in MSM
What would you see in an uncomplicated infection of gonorrhoea in a woman?
Mucopurulent cervicitis
- erythema and oedema
- urethra (vaginal leakage)
Obligate intracellular gram -ve diplococcus taken on urethral swab of man with mucopurulent discharge
Which pathogen is this?
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Obligate intracellular gram -ve pathogen that cannot be cultured on agar found on genital swabs
Which pathogen is this?
Chlamydia trachomatis
How is chlamydia classified?
Serovars A, B, C: trachoma (infection of eyes causing blindness)
Serovars D-K: genital chlamydia, opthalamia neonatorum
Diagnosis and tx of chlamydia
NAAT from genital swabs
Azithromycin 1g stat
OR
Doxycycline 100mg BD for 7 days
Complications of chlamydia
PID: tubal factor infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain
Epididymitis
Reactive arthritis
Adult conjunctivitis, ophthalmia neonatorum
Which STI is commonly asx?
Chlamydia trachomatis
- 50% men
- 80% women
What is LGV?
Lympho-granuloma venereum
- lymphatic infection with chlamydia trachomatis
- endemic in developing world and MSM in developed world
1st stage sx of LGV
3-12 days Painless genital ulcer Proctitis Balanitis Cervicitis
2nd stage sx of LGV
2wks-6months
Painful inguinal buboes
Fever
Malaise
Late stage sx of LGV
Inguinal lymphadenopathy
Genital elephantiasis
Genital and perianal ulcers/abscesses
Frozen pelvis
Diagnosis and tx of LGV
NAAT, genotypic identification of L1/2/3 serovar
Doxycycline 100mg BD for 3 weeks
Haemophilus ducreyi, chocolate agar on culture
What is this and main sx of pt?
Chancroid (gram -ve coccobacillus)
Multiple painful ulcers