Micro Flashcards
SUMMARY CARD:
What is a mycobacterium?
How does it stain?
Clue: AFB
Mycobacterium
= non-motile rods, obligate aerobes, acid-fast bacteria (AFB)
Gram +ve (but does not take up the gram stain well) therefore, use AFB staining:
- Auramine = SCREENING test: flourescent stain –> yellow (more sensitive but less specific than ZN)
-
Ziehl-Neelson stain
: carbol fuschin & methylene blue –> AFB gored
on a blue background
SUMMARY CARD:
What are the different types of mycobacterium?
TB, avium complex, abscessus, marinum, ulcer, leprae
-
Mycobacterium tuberculosis:
caeseating granulomas
(cottage-cheese central necrosis), Mx = RIPE -
Mycobacterium avium complex: slow-growing, associated with
pre-existing lung disease
(e.g.immunocompromised/structural lung problem), found in food / water/ soil; types = intracellulare, avium and chimaera -
Mycobacterium abscessus complex: rapid-growing and more common in
CF
, Mx =macrolide
(e.g. clarithyromycin); types = abscessus, massilense, boleletii -
Mycobacterium marinum: live in water; exposure to
fish
–> swimming pool granulomas (subcutaneous nodules) -
Mycobacterium ulcerans: more common in tropics / Australia –>
buruli ulcer
(chronic progressive painless ulcer) -
Mycobacterium leprae (
leprosy
): more common in Africa, Sx =nerve
damage (peripheral neuropathy),depigmentation
of the skin
SUMMARY CARD:
- Primary vs Latent TB
- Extra-pulmonary presentations of TB
- Ix?
- Mx?
- SEs of Mx?
- If infected with TB –> primary = symptomatic; latent = aymptomatic
-
Primary:
caseating
granulomas (‘cheese like’), fever, night sweats, weight loss, cough, haemoptysis -
Latent:
Gohn focus
= granuloma with necrosed centre created via macrohphages and phagocytosis
- Extra-pulmonary Sx:
-
Lymphadenitis
(most common), pericarditis, peritonitis, renal - Subacute meningitis: headaches, personality change, meningism
- Spinal: Pott’s disease = back pain, discitis
-
Miliary TB: disseminated haematogenous spread (CXR =
millet seeds
)
- Ix:
ACTIVE TB:
- CXR: R upper lobe cavitation
- Sputum smear =
Ziehl-Neelson (red)
- Sputum culture =
Lowenstein-Jensen
medium for 6wks = GOLD STANDARD –> shows acid fast bacili
LATENT TB:
- Tuberculin skin test (Mantoux) = shows exposure to TB (active/latent/
BCG
) -
IGRA (Interferon-Gamma Release Assays): shows exposure (active/latent -
NOT BCG
)
- Management:
ACTIVE TB: 4 for 2, 2 for 4
-
RIPE
:R
ifampacin +I
soniazid (w/ pyridoxine) +P
yrazinamide +E
thambutol = all 4 for 2 months -
R
ifampacin +I
soniazid (w/ pyridoxine) = these 2 for further 4 months
NOTE: meningeal TB = RIPE for 12 months + steroids
LATENT TB:
- Isoniazid (w/ pyridoxine) for 6 months
- OR Rifampacin + Isoniazid (w/ pyridoxine) for 3 months
NOTE: prophylaxis = isoniazid 8-12 weeks (in children < 5 y/o)
- SEs of RIPE:
Rifampicin
–> ‘pissing’ = orange secretions, hepatotoxicity
Isoniazid –> ‘I-so-NUMB-azid’ = peripheral neuropathy (that’s why given with B6), hepatotoxicity
Pyrazinamide –> hepatotoxicity, arthralgia, ↑ urea = goutE
thambutol –> ‘Eye’ = optic neuritis
SUMMARY CARD:
Mycobacterium leprae (leprosy)
1. Sx?
2. Mx?
Paucibacillary (tuberculoid): limited skin disease (hypoprigmentation), asymmetric nerve involvement, hair loss
Multibacillary (lepromatous): extensive skin involvement (hypoprigmentation) + symmetrical nerve involvement
Mx: rifampicin, dapsone + clofazimine (triple therapy)
DISEASE:
What is the granuloma in latent TB called?
Gohn focus
DISEASE:
What is spinal TB called?
Pott’s disease
DISEASE:
What is seen on CXR for miliary TB?
Millet seeds
DISEASE:
What are the investigations for active TB?
imaging; smears; medium
-
CXR
: R upper lobe cavitation - Sputum smear =
Ziehl-Neelson (red)
- Sputum culture =
Lowenstein-Jensen
medium for 6wks = GOLD STANDARD –> shows acid fast bacili
DISEASE:
What are the investigations for latent TB?
- Tuberculin skin test (Mantoux) = shows exposure to TB (active/latent/
BCG
) -
IGRA (Interferon-Gamma Release Assays): shows exposure (active/latent -
NOT BCG
)
DISEASE:
What is the Mx for active TB?
BONUS: what is the Mx for latent TB?
-
RIPE
:R
ifampacin +I
soniazid (w/ pyridoxine) +P
yrazinamide +E
thambutol = all 4 for 2 months -
R
ifampacin +I
soniazid (w/ pyridoxine) = these 2 for further 4 months
NOTE: meningeal TB = RIPE for 12 months + steroids
BONUS: LATENT TB:
* Isoniazid (w/ pyridoxine) for 6 months
* OR Rifampacin + Isoniazid (w/ pyridoxine) for 3 months
DISEASE:
Caseating granuloma, night sweats, haemoptysis, recently travelled to Asia
- What is the diagnosis?
- What are the SEs of the Mx?
- TB
- SEs:
- Rifam
picin
–> ‘pissing’ = orange secretions, hepatotoxicity - Isoniazid –> ‘I-so-NUMB-azid’ = peripheral neuropathy (that’s why given with B6), hepatotoxicity
- Pyrazinamide –> hepatotoxicity, arthralgia, ↑ urea = gout
-
E
thambutol –> ‘Eye’ = optic neuritis
DISEASE:
What is the BCG vaccine?
Bacille-Calmette-Guerin
Live-attentuated strain of M. bovis given to high-risk patients
CI = immunosuppressed patients (due to it being a live vaccine)
DISEASE:
Depigmentation of skin + nerve thickening & peripheral neuropathy; ZN stain shows AFB
What is the causative organism?
Mycobacterium leprae –> causes leprosy
DISEASE:
Disseminated infection in immunocompromised
Slow-growing
ZN stain shows AFB
What is the causative organism?
Mycobacterium avium complex
DISEASE:
PMHx = CF, rapid-growing, ZN stain shows AFB
What is the causative organism?
BONUS: Mx?
Mycobacterium abscessus
Mx = macrolide e.g. clarithromycin
DISEASE:
Australia / tropics, painless nodules progressing to ulceration, scarring, contractures
What is the causative organism?
BONUS: name of ulcers
Mycobacterium ulcerans
BONUS: Buruli ulcer
DISEASE:
Aquarium owner, subcutaneous nodules
What is the causative organism?
Mycobacterium marinum
SUMMARY CARD:
What are the different ways of classifying pneumonia?
1. CAP vs HAP:
- HAP =
>48hrs
after hospital admission - Common HAP = S. aureus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Haemophilus
2. Typical vs Atypical:
-
Typical =
classic
rapid development of signs and symptoms, classic CXR changes (e.g. consolidation),responsive to penicillin Abx
-
Atypical = no / atypical signs e.g. dry cough,
does not respond
to penicillin Abx (because no cell wall), more responsive to macrolides e.g. clarithromycin; extra-pulmonary Sx e.g. rashes, hepatitis, hyponatraemia
SUMMARY CARD:
Typical pneumonia organisms:
-
Strep. pneumoniae: most common,
rusty-coloured sputum
; CXR = lobar; microscopy =+ve diplococci
-
Haemophilus influenzae: associated w/ pre-existing lung disease (e.g. COPD, bronchiectasis); CXR = bronchoalveolar pattern (lower lobes), “
glossy colonies
”; microscopy = -ve cocco-bacilli - Moraxella catarrhalis: associated w/ smoking and underlying lung disease; microscopy = -ve cocci
-
Staphylococcus aureus: recent viral infection, CXR = cavitatation; microscopy =
+ve cocci
“grape bunchclusters
” &coagulase +ve
-
Klebsiella pneumoniae: alcoholics & diabetics, haemoptysis (
red-currant jelly sputum
), CXR = upper lobe cavitation; microscopy = -ve bacilli
SUMMARY CARD:
Atypical pneumonia organisms (including fungal):
Clues: legionella, mycoplasma, chlamydia, Q fever, pertussis, TB, burkholderia, pseudomonas, aspergillus, PCP
-
Legionella pneumophilia
:water
/air conditioning, confusion, hepatitis,hyponatreaemia
, urinary antigen +ve; charcoal yeast -
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
: uni students / boarding schools, dry cough, arthralgia, cold agglutination,erythema multiforme
and target shaped lesions on palm; Mx: macrolide -
Chlamydia pneumoniae
: children and adolescents -
Chlamydia psittaci
:birds
, haemolytic anaemia, splenomegaly, rose spots -
Coxiella burnetii: AKA
Q fever
, exposure to farm animals; microscopy = -ve coccobacilli -
Bordetella pertussis: AKA
whooping cough
, unvaccinated (immigrant); microscopy = -ve coccobacilli -
Mycobacterium tuberculosis: prolonged flu-like prodrome w/
TB symptoms
; CXR = upper lobe cavitation or “millet seed” (miliary TB); microscopy =+ve bacilli
-
Burkholderia cepecia: associated w/ CF, persistent infection and
poor prognosis
; microscopy = -ve bacilli - Pseudomonas aeruginosa: CF; Mx: Tazocin OR ciprofloxacin +/- gentamicin; microscopy = -ve coccobacilli
-
Aspergillus fumigatus (fungi): fungal ball in pre-existing (usually TB) cavity, CXR =
Halo sign
, neutropenia -
Pneumocystis jiroveci (fungi): associated with HIV, CXR = Bat’s wing, HRCT =
bilateral ground-glass shadowing
; silver stain +ve = cysts; histology = boat shapes; Mx: co-trimoxazole
SUMMARY CARD:
Which organisms do the following immunosuppressions predispose you to:
1. HIV
2. Splenectomy
3. CF
4. Neutropenia
-
HIV:
pneumocystitis jiroveci, TB
-
Splenectomy:
NHS
= neisseria meningitidis, haemophilus influenzae, strep. pneumoniae -
CF:
pseudomonas
aeruginosa, burkholderia cepacia -
Neutropenia:
aspergillus
DISEASE:
Mx for pneumoniae:
1. What scoring system is used?
2. Typical (+ legionella + staph)
3. Atypical: PCP, pseudomonas, MRSA
4. HAP (+severe HAP)
3. Aspiration
4. Anaerobic
CURB-65 –> 1 point for confusion, urea >7, RR>30, BP < 90/60, > 64 y/o
- CURB-65 0-1 (
mild
): outpatient –> amoxicillin PO 5 days; if pen allergy then macrolide PO 5 days - CURB-65 2 (
mod
): consider admission –> amoxicillin PO 5-7 days + clarithyromyin PO 5-7 days - CURB-65 3-5 (
severe
): admit +/- consider ITU –> co-amoxiclav IV 7 days + clarithromycin IV 7 days -
Legionella
: Clarithromycin + Rifampicin -
Staphylococcus
: Flucloxacillin
ATYPICALS:
-
PCP
(pneumocystitis jiroveci): co-trimoxazole -
Pseudomonas
: tazocin OR ciprofloxacin +/- gentamicin -
MRSA
: vancomycin
HAP
: ciprofloxacin + vancomycinSevere HAP
: tazocin + vancomycin
ASPIRATION
: tazocin + metronidazole
ANAEROBIC
bacteria: clindamycin +/- metronidazole
DISEASE:
rusty-coloured sputum
CXR = lobar consolidation
microscopy = +ve diplococci
Had a SPLENECTOMY
no confusion, urea < 7, RR < 30, BP > 90/60, age > 65
- Causative organism?
- Mx?
Strep pneumoniae (typical)
CURB-65 is 1 = mild –> amoxicillin PO 5 days
Note: splenectomy predisposes to NHS organisms (Neisseria meningitides, haemophilus influenzae, streptococcus pneumoniae)
DISEASE:
PMHx = COPD
cough, haemoptysis
CXR = bronchoalveolar ‘glossy colonies
’ in the lower lobes
- Causative organism?
- Microscopy?
- Haemophilus influenzae (typical)
- -ve coccibacilli
DISEASE:
recent URTI
CXR = cavity
microscopy = +ve cocci clusters
- Causative organism?
- BONUS: which protein enzyme +ve?
- Mx?
- Staph aureus (typical)
- coagulase +ve
- Flucloxacillin
DISEASE:
Diabetic + alcoholicredcurrant jelly sputum
CXR = upper lobe cavity
- Causative organism?
- microscopy?
- Klebsiella pneumoniae (typical)
- -ve bacilli
DISEASE:
recent trip from abroad, stayed in air conditioned
hotel
confused
hyponatraemia
hepatitis
- Causative organism?
- Mx?
- legionella pneumophilia
- Clarithromycin + rifampicin
DISEASE:
Uni student, lives in halls with many other students
dry cough, arthralgia
cold agglutinsethythema multiforme
(target shaped rash on palms)
No culture (with sputum or CSF) and nothing shows up on gram stain
- Causative organism
- Mx?
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Macrolide e.g. clarithromycin
DISEASE:
Works with birds
haemolytic anaemia
splenomegaly
rose spots
- Causative organism?
- Chlamydia psittaci
DISEASE:
Exposure to farm animals
Histology: -ve coccobacilli
- Causative organism (+ diagnosis)?
hint: 1 letter
Coxiella burnetii (AKA Q fever)
DISEASE:
Unvaccinated immigrant
Paroxysmal coughing w/ inspiratory whoop
- Causative organism (+ diagnosis)?
- Mx?
Bordetella pertussis
(AKA whooping cough)
Mx = Abx if cough < 21 days of onset –> macrolides:
< 1 month old = clarithromycin
>1 month old = azithromycin
(if macrolides CI, consider co-amoxiclav)
Return to school 2 days after commencing abx Tx OR 21 days after cough onset
DISEASE:
prolonged flu-like prodromehaemoptysis
CXR = cavitation in upper lobe
HIV +ve
- Causative organism (+ diagnosis)
- What is seen on microscopy?
- Mycoplasma tuberculosis (AKA TB)
- gram +ve bacilli
DISEASE:
PMHx: CFPersistent infection + poor prognosis
histology: gram -ve rod
- Causative organism?
- Burkholderia cepecia
DISEASE:
PMHx: CF
histology: gram -ve coccobacilli
- Causative organism?
- Mx?
moan
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Mx = Tazocin OR ciprofloxacin +/- gentamicin
DISEASE:
Neutropenia
CXR = halo sign
- Causative organism?
(FUN GUY)
aspergillus fumigatus
DISEASE:
PMHx: HIV
CXR = Bat’s wing
HRCT = bilateral ground-glass shadowing
Microscopy = ‘boat-shapes
’
- Causative organism?
- What type of staining is +ve?
- Mx?
- Pneumocystitis jiroveci
- silver stain +ve
- co-trimoxazole
DISEASE:
Pt develops pneumonia 8 days after being admitted to the hospital wards
- Mx?
- BONUS: Mx for severe HAP
HAP = develop pneumonia >2 days after being admitted to hospital
Mx = ciprofloxacin + vancomycin
Severe HAP Mx = tazocin + vancomycin
DISEASE:
Elderly patient with altered mental status, fever, and cough, diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia
- Mx?
tazocin + metronidazole
DISEASE:
Anaerobic bacteria causing pneumonia
- Mx?
clindamycin +/- metronidazole
SUMMARY CARD:
How to differentiate between:
1. Bronchitis
2. Pneumonia
3. Lung abscess
4. Emphysema
symptomatically
- Bronchitis: affects normal sized vessels,
normal CXR
- Pneumonia: unwell pt + affects lung parenchyma
- Abscess:
swinging fevers
+ cavity in lung parenchyma, FLAWS, unresponsive to abx + requires drainage - Emphysema = infected pleural effusion
SUMMARY CARD:
- What is infective endocarditis?
- Which valves are most commonly affected?
- S&S?
- Ix?
Hint: Duke criteria
- bacteria form vegetations on valve(s)
- Usually affects the valves on the L side =
mitral
and aortic –> this is due to increased pressure on L side of heart which causes damage to those valves making it more susceptible to bacterial growth
NOTE: R sided (tricuspid) is most common in IVDU (as circulation returns to R side of heart first)
- S&S: ACUTE = fever (pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO));
new heart murmur
that changes day to day (usually regurgitant), non specific Sx (anorexia, weight loss, malaise, fatigue etc.); HF, rapidly septic
NOTE: in subacute infective endocarditis (develops over weeks-months) –> new heart murmur + FLAWS + embolic phenomena (e.g. janeway lesions, splinter haemorrhages, splenomegaly
) & immune phenomena (e.g. roth spots
in eyes, osler's nodes
in hands, haematuria due to glomerulonephritis
)
- Ix: Blood cultures = ideally from 3 different sites before starting abx; echocardiogram;
DUKE'S CRITERIA
: need 2 major OR 1 major + 3 minor OR 5 minor
SUMMARY CARD:
What are Duke’s criteria?
Major:
- Positive blood culture growing typical organisms (>2x cultures >12 hrs apart)
- New regurgitant murmur OR evidence of vegetation on echo
Minor:
- RFs: long-term lines (e.g. in ITU), IVDU, poor dentician, prosthetic valve, rheumatic heart disease, immunosuppression
- Fever >38°C
- Embolic phenomena (e.g.
janeway lesions, splinter haemorrhages, splenomegaly
) - Immune phenomena (e.g.
roth spots
in eyes,osler's nodes
in hands,haematuria due to glomerulonephritis
) - Positive blood culture not meeting the major criteria
For infective endocarditis diagnosis: need 2 major OR 1 major + 3 minor OR 5 minor
SUMMARY CARD:
Infective endocarditis Mx?
IV abx for 6 weeks
Start empirically as soon as cultures taken, then change according to sensitivities
Rule of thumbs:
ACUTE: flucloxacillin
(cause staph aureus most common)
SUBACUTE: benzylpenicillin + gentamicin
Prosthetic valve: vancomycin + gentamicin + rifampicin
Consider surgical debridement
SUMMARY CARD:
What are the different pathogens that can cause infective endocarditis?
-
ACUTE (
high
virulence bacteria = rapid onset of symptoms):
- Streptococcus
pyrogenes
(Group A strep) = rheumatic fever -
Staph aureus
(most common in IVDU) -
Coagulase-negative staphylococci
(most common in prosthetic valve)
-
SUBACUTE (
low
virulence bacteria = slower onset of symptoms):
-
Staphylococcus epidermidis
(most common post-valvular surgery) - Streptococcus
viridans
(more common in low resource countries, dental work) -
HACEK = do not grow on culture –>
h
aemophilus,a
cinetobacter,c
ardiobacterium,e
ikinella,k
ingella
DISEASE:
PUO for last 8 weeks (>38°C)
Osler’s nodes on hands
New regurgitation murmur
post valvular surgery with prosthetic valve
- causative organism
- Mx?
- staphylococcus epidermidis (coagulase negative staphylococcus)
- Mx = IV
vancomycin + gentamicin + rifampicin
BONUS: fulfils 1 major and 3 minor of Duke’s criteria
DISEASE:
fever for past 4 days, now septic
IVDU
Blood culture grows gram positive diplococci in clusters
- causative organism (+diagnosis)
- Mx?
- staph aureus (infective endocarditis)
- IV
flucloxacillin
DISEASE:
Young patient with recent pharyngitis, fever, and new-onset murmur
- causative organism (+diagnosis)?
- Strep pyogenes AKA group A strep (AKA rheumatic fever)
DISEASE:
Middle-aged patient with dental procedure history, fever, and new-onset murmur
- causative organism (+ diagnosis)?
- streptococcus viridans (causing infective endocarditis)
SUMMARY CARD:
What are the different types of diarrhoea caused by GI infections?
BONUS: which organisms cause which?
-
Secretory diarrhoea:
watery diarrhoea, no fever
- Toxin production causes Cl- to be secreted into the lumen which leads to diarrhoea = loss of water + electrolytes
-
Organisms: vibrio cholerae (
rice water stool
), enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli (ETEC;traveller's diarrhoea
), Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), bacillus cereus (reheated rice
), staph aureus (short incubation period
)
-
Inflammatory diarrhoea:
BLOODY diarrhoea w/ mucus (AKA dysentery)
, fever
- Inflammation + bacteraemia
- Organisms: CHESS
-
C
ampylobacter jejuni (complication = GBS),h
aemorrhagic E. coli,E
ntamoeba histolytica,S
higella,S
almonella
- Enteric fever: unwell with fever, GI symptoms
- Organisms: salmonella typhi (typhoid fever), yersinia enterocolitica, brucella
SUMMARY CARD:
What are the gram +ve organisms that cause GI infections / diarrhoea?
3 types of clostridium, bacillus, staph, listeria
-
Clostridium botulinum: toxin blocks Ach release from peripheral nerves =
DESCENDING paralysis
; toxin can be inactivated by cooking; from canned / vacuum packedfoods
(honey = kids, beans = students); Mx = antitoxin -
Clostridium perfringens: from reheated meats; 8-16hr incubation and lasts ~24hrs; watery diarrhoea + cramps; causes
gas gangrene
(alpha toxin in infected tissue necroses + releases foul smelling gas) -
Clostridium difficile: causes
pseudomembranous colitis
(looks like wet cornflakes on colonscopy); caused by the 4 C’s (c
ephalosporins,c
lindamycin,c
iprofloxacilin,c
o-amoxiclav); Mx =IV metronidazole or oral vancomycin
-
Bacillus cereus: cereulide toxin;
reheated fried rice
; watery non-bloody diarrhoea + vomiting within 4hrs; self-limiting -
Staphylococcus aureus: S. aureus enterotoxin = vomiting + watery non-bloody diarrhoea with
SHORT incubation period
(< 2hrs); self-limiting -
Listeria monocytogenes: microscopy shows tumbling motility; refrigerated food e.g.
CHEESE
(unpasteurised dairy); perinatal infection; severe infection in immunocompromised; Mx = ampicillin
NOTE: ALL are gram +ve bacilli except staph aureus (which is gram +ve diplococci in clusters)
SUMMARY CARD:
What are the gram -ve organisms that cause GI infections / diarrhoea?
4 E. coli, 2 Salmonella, 3 vibrio, campylobacter, shigella, Yersinia,
- (entero
t
oxigenic) Escherichia coli (ET
EC):t
oxigen,t
raveller’s diarrhoea - (entero
p
athogenic) Escherichia coli (EP
EC):p
athogenic,p
aediatric/infantile diarrhoea - (entero
i
nvasive) Escherichia coli (EI
EC):i
nvasive; bloody diarrhoea w/cramps + N/V - (entero
h
aemorrhagic) Escherichia coli (EH
EC):h
aemorrhagic –> haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) = triad of thrombocytopenia, MAHA (anaemia) and AKI; caused byShiga toxin
-producing E.coli (STEC) 0157:H7 -
Salmonella typhi/ paratyphi: typhoid (/ paratyphoid) fever; faecal-oral route; rose spots,
constipation > diarrhoea
, multiplies in Peyer’s patches; Mx = IV ceftriaxone then PO azithromycin; complication = osteomyelitis in SCA -
Salmonella enteritides: contaminated poultry, eggs (
BBQ
); non-bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain that comes and goes in waves; self-limiting (or ceftriaxone if required)
NOTE: vibrio = comma-shaped
bacteria
-
Vibrio cholera: comma-shaped bacteria; enterotoxin A + B;
rice water stool
, severe dehydration that leads to weight loss; Mx: self-limiting (or doxycycline if required) - Vibrio parahaemolyticus: comma-shaped bacteria; cruise ships / Japan = undercooked / raw seafood; ~3 days of diarrhoea; Mx: doxycycline
-
Vibrio vulnificus: comma-shaped bacteria; ; causes
cellulitis
in shellfish handlers; if PMH of HIV = can cause sepsis, D+V; Mx: doxycycline -
Campylobacter jejuni: also comma-shaped bacteria gram -ve, oxidase +ve;
unpasteurised milk and poultry (mainly chicken)
; prodrome of headache and fever; watery diarrhoea that turns bloody; complication = Guillain-Barre syndrome; Mx = if in first 5 days, erythromycin or ciprofloxacin - Shigella: Shiga toxin (inactivates 60S ribosome) ; bloody diarrhoea w/pain; Mx = if not self-limiting then ciprofloxacin
- Yersinia enterocolitica: faecal-oral route, Peyer’s patches, enterocolitis; complication = reactive arthritis
NOTE: ALL gram -ve bacilli
SUMMARY CARD:
What are the protozoa that cause GI infections / diarrhoea?
-
Entamoeba histolytica:
dysentery
–> mobile trophozoite w/ 4 nuclei, main RF = MSM; if trophozoites enter portal vein it causes livercyst/abscess
(anchovy paste appearance);flask-shaped
ulcer; Mx = metronidazole + paromomycin - Giardia lamblia: pear-shaped trophozoite w/ 2 nuclei; prolonged smelly, explosive non-bloody diarrhoea; biopsy =
partial villous atrophy
; Mx = Metronidazole -
Cryptosporidium parvum: severe diarrhoea in
immunocompromised
; Kinyoun acid-fast stain w/oocytes in stool; Mx = Paromomycin
SUMMARY CARD:
What are the viruses that can cause GI infection / diarrhoea?
-
Rotavirus: most common cause in
children
; w/ fever + vomiting, watery diarrhoea -
Norovirus: G2.4 predominant strain;
lots of vomiting
; can cause outbreaks in adults - Adenovirus: infants (often immunocompromised); non-bloody diarrhoea
DISEASE:
Which is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children?
schedule
Rotavirus
DISEASE:
45F - severe vomiting after family gathering
sudden onset nausea + watery diarrhoea
which cause of viral gastroenteritis is this?
norovirus
DISEASE:
Uni student
Had canned beans for mexican food nightdescending paralysis
(+ dysphagia + blurred vision)
microscopy: gram +ve bacilli
- causative organism?
- BONUS: Mx?
Clostridium botulinum –> botulism toxin
Mx = antitoxin
DISEASE:
reheated leftover sunday roast
watery diarrhoea and cramps for the past 10 hrs
complains of passing gas
that is very foul smelling
microscopy: gram +ve bacilli
- causative organism?
- BONUS: what are the RFs?
- clostridium perfringens
- RFs = reheated meat; incubation period of 8-16hrs, Sx lasts 24hrs
NOTE: foul smelling gas suggestive of gas gangrene
DISEASE:
Severe diarrhoea
colonoscopy shows ‘wet cornflakes appearance’recently finished a course of abx
microscopy: gram +ve bacilli
- causative organism?
- 4 C’s that can lead to overgrowth of this bacterium
- Mx?
- clostridium difficile –> causes
pseudomembranous colitis
(looks like wet cornflakes on colonscopy)
NOTE: other complications include toxic megacolon
- 4 C’s =
c
ephalosporins,c
lindamycin,c
iprofloxacilin,c
o-amoxiclav - IV metronidazole or oral vancomycin
DISEASE:
Pt reheated
leftover chinese takeaway
4hrs later, sudden vomiting + non-bloody diarrhoea
microscopy: gram +ve bacilli
- causative organism?
bacillus cereus –> self-limiting
RF = reheated rice
, incubation period ~4hrs
DISEASE:
Pt went out for a meal and developed vomiting and water diarrhoea in < 2 hours
- causative organism?
- microscopy?
- staphylococcus aureus –> short incubation period + self-limiting
- gram +ve diplococci in
clusters
DISEASE:
unpasteurised cheese in pregnancy
D&V
microscopy: gram +ve bacilli w/ tumbling motility
- causative organism?
- Mx?
listeria monocytogenes
Mx = ampicillin, ceftriaxone, co-trimoxazole
DISEASE:
traveller’s diarrhoea
e.g. watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and low-grade fever after consuming street food in SE asia
- causative organism?
ETEC (enterotoxigenic E. coli) –> gram -ve bacilli
DISEASE:
2 y/o child has severe watery diarrhoea and vomiting after attending daycare
microscopy: gram -ve bacilli
- causative organism?
type of E coli
EP
EC (enteropathogenic E. coli) = p
aeds
DISEASE:
6 y/o w/ bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain and decreased urine output
Lab tests show haemolytic anaemia + thrombocytopenia + AKI
- causative organism (+diagnosis)
haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) –> caused by EHEC 0157:H7
(enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli) which releases Shiga toxin
DISEASE:
constipation > diarrhoearose spots
splenomegaly
- causative organism (+ diagnosis)?
- complications?
- Mx?
causes osteomyelitis in SCA pts
- salmonella typhi (AKA typhoid fever)
- osteomyelitis in SCA pts
- IV ceftriaxone then PO azithromycin
DISEASE:
Recent BBQ (contaminated poultry)
fever, vomiting, malaise, followed by diarrhoeaabdominal pain that comes and goes in waves
- causative organism?
- Mx?
- Salmonella enterides
- self-limited, resolves in ~3 days (or ceftriaxone if required)
DISEASE:
comma-shaped bacteriarice water
stool + weight loss (due to dehydration)
- causative organism?
- toxins?
- Mx?
- Vibrio cholera
- enterotoxins A + B
- self-limiting (if not doxycycline)
NOTE: all vibrios are comma shaped
DISEASE:
cruise ships / Japan = undercooked / raw seafood
~3 days of diarrhoea
- causative organism?
- Mx?
- vibrio parahaemolyticus
- doxycycline
DISEASE:
Initially presented with cellulitis
As HIV +ve, quickly progressed to sepsis
Works as a shellfish handlers
- causative organism?
- Mx?
- Vibrio vulnificus
- Doxycycline
DISEASE:
Unpasteurised meat / milk products (esp. chickens)
bloody diarrhoea, foul smelling
bloating + cramps
microscopy: S / comma shaped, gram -ve, oxidase +ve
- causative organism?
- complication?
- Mx?
- Campylobacter jejuni
- complication = Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Mx = if in first 5 days, erythromycin or ciprofloxacin
DISEASE:
abdominal pain and watery diarrhoea after consuming undercooked pork
Peyer’s patches in terminal ileum Complications = reactive arthritis
- causative organism?
Yersinia enterocolitica
DISEASE:
dysentry, flatulence, tenesmus
MSM
microscopy = mobile trophozoite w/ 4 nuclei,
liver cyst/abscess
(anchovy paste appearance on USS)flask-shaped
ulcer
- causative organism?
- Mx?
- Entamoeba histolytica (protozoa)
- Mx = metronidazole + paromomycin
DISEASE:
pear-shaped trophozoite w/ 2 nuclei
flatulence, prolonged smelly, explosive non-bloody diarrhoea
RFs: travellers, MSM, campers, hikers
biopsy = partial villous atrophy
- causative organism?
- Mx?
- giardia lamblia (protozoa)
- Mx = oral Metronidazole
DISEASE:
severe diarrhoea in immunocompromised
oocytes
seen in stool w/ Kinyoun acid-fast stain
- causative organism?
- Mx?
- Cryptosporidium parvum (protozoa)
- Mx = Paromomycin
SUMMARY CARD:
What are the different ways to classify UTIs?
Ix?
complicated vs uncomplicated; lower vs upper
Uncomplicated = women
Complicated = men
, catheters
, pregnancy
, functionally / structurally abnormal tract
Lower = affects only the bladder
Upper = affects kidneys
, systemically unwell
-
Urinalysis (not typically done in men, women > 65 y/o or catheterised): shows
↑
nitrites
(specific for UTI) and ↑ leukocytes (founnd in any inflammatory condition of the urinary tract) -
Urine culture: >10^4 colony forming units / ml =
diagnostic
(note: mixed growth or squamous cells suggests contaminated sample)
NOTE: >10^3 colony forming units / ml is used for E. coli and S. saprophyticus
SUMMARY CARD:
What is the management of UTIs?
1. Uncomplicated?
2. Complicated?
3. Pyelonephritis?
4. Pregnancy?
5. Catheter-associated?
BONUS: what is trimethoprim CI against?
-
Uncomplicated:
nitrofurantoin
(or trimethoprim) for3
days -
Complicated (e.g. male or previous Hx w/resistant organisms):
nitrofurantoin
(or trimethoprim / cefalexin) for7
days -
Pyelonephritis: admit +
IV co-amoxiclav
/ amikacin / cefalexin -
Pregnancy:
nitrofurantoin
(but congenital malformations at 3rd trimester), at term =co-amoxiclav/cefalexin
/trimethoprim
NOTE: nitrofurantoin can increase the risk of haemolytic anaemia in newborn
if administered close to term; and trimethoprim (folate antagonist
) can cause neural tube defects if administered in the first trimester
-
Catheter-associated:
remove catheter
+ aminoglycoside (e.g.gentamicin
) OR ifcandida
, then no antifungal unless awaiting renal transplant (then oral fluconazole)
BONUS: trimethoprim is a folate antagonist, therefore it is NOT prescribed if pt is on methotrexate
!
SUMMARY CARD:
What are the different organisms that can cause UTIs and their features?
Hint: 3 gram +ve, 4 gram -ve, 1 fungus
3 staph, E.coli, klebsiella, enterobacter, proteus mirabilis, candida
-
Escherichia coli
(most common) =lactose fermenting
gram -ve bacilli; classically young women who aresexually active
); -
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
= gram +ve cocci in clusters; 2nd most common in young women;catalase +ve, coagulase -ve
; associated with catheters; has p-fimbriae (a protein) that allows adherence to the urinary tract -
Staphylococcus aureus
= gram +ve cocci in clusters;catalase +ve, coagulase +ve
; most common cause of haematogenous spread so take blood cultures as likely to have bacteraemia -
Staphylococcus epidermidis
= gram +ve cocci; indwelling catheter; catalase +ve, coagulase -ve -
Proteus mirabilis
= gram -ve bacilli; associated with kidney stones –> struvite stones (staghorn
calculi), young boys
NOTE: this is because proteus mirabilis produce urease, which converts ammonia to urea, which leads to alkaline urine pH and struvite crystals
-
Klebsiella
=lactose fermenting
gram -ve bacilli; associated w/ immunocompromised + indwelling catheter -
Enterobacter
=lactose fermenting
gram -ve bacilli; associated w/ immunocompromised -
Candida albicans
= fungus; catheter-associated
DISEASE:
Which 3 UTI organisms are lactose fermenting?
- E. coli
- Klebsiella
- Enterobacter
DISEASE:
sexually active
young woman w/ dysuria + frequency
urine dip: haematuria ++, nitrites ++
- causative organism?
- microscopy?
- E. coli
- gram -ve bacilli (lactose fermenting)
DISEASE:
young women w/ dysuria + frequency
urine dip: haematuria ++, nitrites
++
microscopy: gram +ve cocci
- causative organism?
- BONUS: coagulase & catalase?
- Mx?
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
catalase +ve, coagulase -ve
Mx = 3 days nitrofurantoin
DISEASE:
young boy
suprapubic tenderness, dysuria, foul smelling urinealkaline urine pH
- causative organism?
- complication?
-
proteus mirabilis
(-ve bacilli) - proteus mirabilis produces urease –> converts ammonia to urea, which leads to alkaline urine pH and struvite crystals (kidney stones - AKA staghorn calculi)
DISEASE:
Elderly pt w/ long-standing catheter
signs of confusion / delirium
microscopy: budding yeast cells
- causative organism?
- Mx?
- candida albicans
- remove catheter, no Mx unless pt awaiting renal transplant (then oral fluconazole)
DISEASE:
immunocompromised
pt w/ catheter
suprapubic tenderness, cloudy urine
microscopy = lactose fermenting gram -ve bacilli
- causative organism?
Klebsiella
NOTE: enterobacter also lactose fermenting gram -ve bacilli found in immunocompromised pts (not associated with catheters though)
DISEASE:
30 y/o man with suprapubic tenderness, haematuria + dysuria
blood cultures: bacteraemia
microscopy: gram +ve cocci, catalase +ve, coagulase +ve
- causative organism?
- Mx?
- Staph aureus
- 7 days nitrofurantoin (because men = complicated = longer abx duration)
DISEASE:
State the most likely causative organisms, RFs and Mx of the following wound / bone / joint infections:
- Septic arthritis
- Osteomyelitis
- Prosthetic joint infection
- Surgical site infection
-
Septic arthritis:
neisseria gonorrhoea
in young pts;staphylococcus aureus
> strep > E. coli in older pts
- RFs: pre-existing arthritis, diabetes, CKD, liver failure
- S&S: pyrexia, swollen joint (knee most likely affected), red, hot and reduced movement
- Ix: joint aspirate
- Mx: drain joint +
IV cefotaxime
for N. gon;IV fluclox
for staph
-
Osteomyelitis:
staphylococcus aureus
, orsalmonella if SCA
, orpseudomonas if IVDU
- S&S: lumbar most affected region = vertebral pain,
- Mx =
IV fluclox
for staph aureus,IV piperacillin
for pseudomonas cover - Radical debridement if chronic osteomyelitis
-
Prosthetic joint infection:
CoNS
(coagulase-negative staphylococci) e.g. staphepidermis
- Signs same as septic arthritis
- Radiology would show loosening of the bone
- Mx: remove prosthesis +
IV vancomycin
andoral rifampicin
-
Surgical site infection:
staph aureus
> E. col > strep
- 2nd most common HAI
- Mx = oral/IV
flucloxacillin
OR if (suspected) MRSA = IVvancomycin/linezolid
DISEASE:
28 y/o
sexually active man
severe pain and swelling in L knee
joint + low-grade fever
Joint aspiration = purulent fluid
- diagnosis + causative organism?
- Mx?
Septic arthritis –> due to Neisseria gonorrhoea (gram -ve diplococci)
Mx = drain joint + IV cefotaxime
DISEASE:
50 y/o man w/ poorly controlled diabetes Chronic lower back pain
+ difficulty walking for past month
Tenderness over the lumbar spine + limited ROM. X-ray = periosteal thickening + bone destruction
- diagnosis + causative organism?
- Mx?
- osteomyelitis (lumbar region most commonly affected) –> staph aureus = most common causative organism
- Mx =
IV flucloxacillin
; chronic osteomyelitis = surgical debridement
DISEASE:
- osteomyelitis in SCA –> causative organism?
- osteomyelitis in IVDU –> causative organism?
- salmonella typhi
- pseudomonas aureginosa
DISEASE:
65F w/ PMHx of RA has worsening pain + swelling of R hip joint, where she had a total hip replacement
6 months ago
Imaging = loosening of the prosthetic
components
- diagnosis + causative organism?
- Mx?
- prosthetic joint infection –> staphylococcus epidermis (or other CoNS = coagulase neg staph)
- remove prosthesis +
IV vancomycin
andoral rifampicin
DISEASE:
45M - underwent elective abdo surgery for hernia repair
2 days post-op, develops increasing redness, warmth, and purulent discharge at the surgical incision site
- diagnosis + causative organism?
- Mx?
- surgical site infection –> staph aureus
- IV
flucloxacillin
SUMMARY CARD:
What is the difference between meningitis & encephalitis?
definition, S&S
Meningitis = inflammation of meninges
- S&S = meningism e.g. stiff neck, photophobia, headache
- Ix = LP > abx; gram stain for bacteria, PCR for virus, India ink stain for cryptococcus, ZN stain for TB
VS
Encephalitis = inflammation of the brain parenchyma
- S&S = meningism + altered mental status e.g. confusion, fluctuating consiousness
SUMMARY CARD:
Causative organisms for meningitis?
bacterial, viral, fungal, TB
1. Bacterial: CSF = very high neutrophils
, high protein, low glucose
-
Neisseria meningitidis (gram
-ve
), streptococcus pneumoniae (gram+ve
) - Ix = gram stain
- Neonates: GBS, listeria monocytogenes, E. coli
- Elderly: GBS, listeria monocytogenes
-
RFs for N. meningitidis
= complement deficiency, hyposplenism (NHS), hypogammaglobulinaemia -
RFs for strep. pneumoniae
= complement deficiency, hyposplenism (NHS), immunosuppressed (alcoholic), infection (pneumonia), previous head trauma w/ CSF leak - Mx =
IV ceftriaxone + corticosteroids
(+ listeria cover for neonates / elderly w/ ampicillin)
2. Viral: CSF = very high lymphocytes
, high protein, normal glucose
-
Enteroviruses
e.g. coxsackie, echovirus - Mumps
HSV2
- Ix = PCR
3. Fungal:
- Cryptococcus neoformans (chronic) –> India ink stain
4. TB: CSF = high lymphocytes
, VERY HIGH protein
, low glucose
- CHRONIC meningitis
- Ix = Ziehl-Neelson stain
- Mx: Dexamethasone w/anti-TB drugs
- MRI: leptomeningeal enhancement
SUMMARY CARD:
Causative organism for encephalitis?
BONUS: Ix + Mx?
Most commonly caused by HSV 1
Ix = temporal + inferior frontal lobes affected
Mx = IV aciclovir
SUMMARY CARD:
Causative organisms and S&S of the following CNS infections:
1. myelitis
2. tetanus
3. brain abscess
HINT: 1. paralysis; 2. tetanospasmin; 3. TRIAD
-
Myelitis:
poliovirus
; Sx =paralysis
w/ preceding muscle fasciculations -
Tetanus:
clostridium tetani
; RFs = IVDU;tetanospasmin
prevents GABA + glycine release, which leads to rigid spastic paralysis, lockjaw (trismus), opisthotonos (arched back); Mx =metronidazole
-
Brain abscess: staph / strep; TRIAD:
headache
(dull, persistent),swinging fever
+focal neurology
(due to space occupying lesion); Ix = ring-enhancing lesion; Mx = craniotomy w/IV ceftriaxone + metronidazole
SUMMARY CARD:
What is prion disease and what are the 3 different types?
sporadic (demented LAMB), genetic (2 types), acquired (moo)
1. Sporadic: codon 129 – MM polymorphism
- Demented
LAMB
=l
ower motor neuron signs,a
kinetic mutism,m
yoclonic jerks and corticalb
lindness) - EEG = periodic triphasic sharp wave complexes
- LP = 14-3-3 + S100 protein
- Autopsy= spongiform vacuolation,
PrP
amyloid plaques
2. Genetic: PRNP P102L (GSS syndrome)/PRNP D178N (FFI) –> TWO types:
-
Gerstmann-Strausslet-Sheinker syndrome: ADD = slowly progressive
a
taxia,d
iminished reflexes,d
ementia -
Familial fatal insomnia:
untreatable insomnia
(agrypnia excitata), dysautonomia, late cognitive decline, die from lack of sleep
3. Acquired: variant – Bohvine-Johne’s Disease in cows (Mad Cow Disease
)
- Young patients
-
Psychiatric Sx
e.g. anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations, then dementia - Ix:
tonsillar biopsy
(gold-standard), pulvinar sign (nuclei in thalamus) - Autopsy = florid plaques
SUMMARY CARD:
CSF analysis for the different causative organisms of meningitis:
1. appearance
2. glucose
3. white cells
4. cell type
5. other
bacterial, partially treated bacterial, viral, TB
-
Bacterial
: turbid CSF, LOW glucose, HIGH WCC (polymorphs AKAneutrophils
) -
Partially treated
bacterial
: turbid CSF, NORMAL glucose, HIGH WCC (polymorphs AKAneutrophils
) -
Viral:
clear
CSF, NORMAL glucose, HIGH WCC (mononuclear AKAlymphocytes
) -
TB: clear or turbid CSF,
VERY LOW glucose
, HIGH WCC (mononuclear AKA lymphocytes)
DISEASE:
2 month
infant w/ fever, irritability, poor feeding, and lethargy
LP = turbid, ↓ glucose, ↑ neutrophils
- diagnosis + possible causative organisms?
- Mx?
BONUS: what test is done to identify the organism?
-
bacterial meningitis (due to
↑ neutrophils
in CSF) –>< 3 months
so could be neisseria meningitidis, streptococcus pneumoniae OR listeria - Mx =
IV ceftriaxone AND ampicillin
(for listeria cover)
BONUS: gram stain for bacterial causes
meow
DISEASE:
Unvaccinated child
recently recovered for parotitis
(inflammed parotid glands)
S&S now = fever, headache, photophobia, lethargy
Kernig’s sign +ve
CSF: lymphocytic pleocytosis (aka ↑ lymphocytes
)
- diagnosis + causative organism?
- Ix?
- Mx?
-
viral meningitis
(due to↑ lymphocytes
in CSF) –> most likely due to mumps virus (unvaccinated, parotitis) - Ix =
IgM mumps detection
- Mx = supportive usually for viral
NOTE: could give IV aciclovir if herpes cause
DISEASE:
22F went to subsaharan africa
with friends 3 weeks ago
Cough + haemoptysis
Now S&S = fever, +ve Kernig’s sign, headache, photophobia
CSF = clear, ↓↓↓ glucose, ↑ lymphocytes
- diagnosis + causative organism?
- Ix?
- Mx?
- TB meningitis –> mycobacterium tuberculosis (due to
↓↓↓ glucose, ↑ lymphocytes
) - Ziehl-Neelson = stain carbol fuschin & methylene blue –> AFB go
red
on a blue background - Mx = dexamethasone w/ anti-TB drugs
DISEASE:
45M - 3/7 seizures, confusion, fever, photophobia
MRI: temporal + inferior frontal lobe involvement
- diagnosis + causative organism?
- Mx?
- encephalitis –> HSV1 (most common)
- IV aciclovir
DISEASE:
4M - travelled to Afghanistan 2 weeks agoNot immunised
Sensitivity to touch, muscle spasms
–> progressed to paralysis
- most likely diagnosis + causative organism?
BONUS: when are kids vaccinated for this virus usually?
(polio)myelitis –> poliovirus
Normally, IPV (inactive polio vaccine) given as a part of 6 in 1 (2, 3, 4 months), 4 in 1 (3yrs + 4months), and 3 in 1 (14 years)