Micro - Clinical Bacteriology ( Gram - Diplococci & "Coccoid" Rods)

Question 1

What kind of bacteria are Neisseria? What are the species of Neisseria?

Answer 1

Gram-negative diplococci; Gonorrhoeae and Meningitidis

Question 2

What do the species of Neisseria ferment?

Answer 2

Both ferment glucose but only meningocococci ferment maltose; Think: MeninGococci ferment Maltose and Glucose, Gonococci ferment Glucose

Question 3

Where can N. gonorrhoeae be found on blood smear?

Answer 3

Often intracellular (within neutrophils)

Question 4

Compare/Contrast Neisseria meningococci and gonococci in terms of the following: (1) Polysaccharide capsule (2) Maltose fermentation (3) Vaccine.

Answer 4

GONOCOCCI - (1) No polysaccharide capsule (2) No maltose fermentation (3) No vaccine (due to rapid antigenic variation of pilus proteins); MENINGOCOCCI - (1) Polysaccharide capsule (2) Maltose fermentation (3) Vaccine (none for type B)

Question 5

How are the different species of Neisseria transmitted?

Answer 5

N. gonorrhoeae - sexually transmitted; N. meningitidis - respiratory & oral secretions

Question 6

What conditions do Neisseria gonococci cause?

Answer 6

(1) Gonorrhea (2) Septic arthritis (3) Neonatal conjuctivitis (4) PID (5) Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome

Question 7

What conditions do Neisseria meningococci cause?

Answer 7

(1) Meningococcemia (2) Meningitis (3) Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome

Question 8

What is the treatment for Neisseria gonococci? What kind of coinfection is of concern with regards to treatment?

Answer 8

Ceftriaxone + (azithromycin or doxycycline) for possible chlamydia coinfection

Question 9

What is the treatment for Neisseria meningococci?

Answer 9

Ceftriaxone or penicillin G

Question 10

What are the options of prophylaxis for Neisseria meningococci? To whom should it be given?

Answer 10

Rifampin, ciprofloxacin, or ceftriaxone; Close contacts

Question 11

What conditions does Haemophilus infuenzae cause?

Answer 11

(1) Epiglottitis (“cherry red” in children) (2) Meningitis (3) Ottis media (4) Pneumonia; Think: haEMOPhilus

Question 12

What kind of bacteria are Haemophilus influenzae?

Answer 12

Small gram-negative (coccobacillary/”coccoid”) rod

Question 13

How is H. flu transmitted?

Answer 13

Aerosol transmission

Question 14

What kind of H. flu causes the most invasive disease?

Answer 14

Capsular type B

Question 15

What kind of H. flu strains cause mucosal infections? What are examples of the kinds of mucosal infections that they cause?

Answer 15

Nontypeable strains; Ottis media, conjuctivitis, bronchitis

Question 16

What kind of enzyme/virulence factor do H. flu and both species of Neisseria produce?

Answer 16

IgA proteases

Question 17

What media is used to culture H. flu? What is another way to grow H. flu?

Answer 17

Chocolate agar with required growth factors V (NAD+) and X (hematin); can also be grown with S. aureus, which provides factor V

Question 18

How is meningitis due to H. flu treated?

Answer 18

Ceftriaxone

Question 19

What is given for H. flu meningitis prophlaxis, and to whom is it given?

Answer 19

Rifampin; Close contacts

Question 20

What is contained in the H. flu vaccine? To what ages is it given?

Answer 20

Type B capsular polysaccharide (polyribosylribitol phosphate) conjugated to diphtheria toxoid or other protein; Given between 2 and 18 months of age

Question 21

What causes the flu?

Answer 21

Influenza virus NOT Haemophilus influenzae