Microbes In The Blood

Question 1

What can be the causes of bloodstream infections?
Give an example for each cause

Answer 1

1. Bacteria eg. Staphylococcus Aureus
2. Fungi eg. Candida Albicans
3. Viruses eg. Herpes Simplex

Question 2

What are the sources of 5 possible sources of microbes in the blood?

Answer 2

1. Via broken skin/mucous membranes
2. From an infection in the body
3. GIT
4. Viral reactivation
5. Direct inoculation

Question 3

Describe what it is meant if the microbes have
A. A Transient Presence
B. An intermittent Presence
C. A Continuous Presence

Answer 3

A. Usually just present for several minutes eg. Bacteria - can be caused by manipulation of/or a surgical procedure involving infected tissues eg. Extraction
B. Transient presence associated with an undrained abscess or infected biofilm
C. Severe infection that has overwhelmed host defences eg. Infective endocarditis

Question 4

What are the two most common blood stream infections?

Answer 4

E.Coli and Staphylococcus Aureus

Question 5

What are the 3 common entry points for
A. Healthcare Associated E.Coli
B. Community Associated E.Coli
C. Healthcare Associated SAB
D. Community Associated SAB

Answer 5

A. Lower UTI, Catheter associated UTI, Hepatobiliary Infection
B. Lower UTI, Hepatobiliary infection, Pyelonephritis
C. Vascular access devices, unable to be determined by clinical team, skin and soft tissue
D. Unable to be determined by clinical team, skin and soft tissue, illicit drug injection sites

Question 6

What are the specific patient groups and the most commonly associated bacteria found in the blood?

Answer 6

Pregnancy - listeria monocytogenes
Neonates - Group B Strep. And E. Coli
Children - Pneumococci, group A strep-, meningococci
Immunocompromised - E.Coli and pseudomonas aeruginosa

Question 7

What can increase the chances of Infective Endocarditis?

Answer 7

• Rheumatic valvular disease
• CHD
• Mitral Valve Prolapse with Murmur
• Degenerative Heart Disease

Question 8

What are the two types of Infective Endocarditis and associated bacterium?

Answer 8

Native Valve Endocarditis
Subtypes:
- Streptococci
- Staphylococcal
- Intravenous drug users

Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis
- Early - coagulate negative. Staphylococci, s.aureus, gram neg. Bacilli
- Late - microbes similar to NVE

Question 9

Within management of dental pt. Which pt. Are apart of the special considerations sub-group of cardiac conditions?

Answer 9

• Pt w/ prosthetic valve
• Pt w/ prev. Episode of infective endocarditis
• Pt. With congenital heart disease