Microbio 12: Resp Tract Infections Flashcards
Streptococcus pneumoniae is:(type of bacteria?)
Gram-positive cocci in chains
Alpha-haemolytic and optochin-sensitive
Why is no microbiological identification of the pathogen made in most cases of CAP?
Difficult to obtain a good sputum sample and early treatment is usually initiated with empirical antibiotics
List the main organisms that cause CAP.
SMH
Streptococcus pneumoniae - aka pneumococcus
Moraxella catarrhalis
Haemophilus influenzae - cavitating leisons
Staphylococcus aureus
Klebsiella pneumoniae
List the most prevalent pathogens causing CAP in the following age groups: 0-1months 1-6months 6m-5y 16-30y
0-1 months
Escherichia coli
Group B Streptococcus
Listeria monocytogenes
1-6 months
Chlamydia trachomatis
Staphylococcus aureus
RSV
6m-5y
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Influenza
16-30y
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Streptococcus pneumoniae
List the causes of CAP that fall into the following two categories:
Typical
Atypical
Typical:
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Atypical: Legionella Mycoplasma Coxiella burnetii Chlamydia psittaci
What is the CURB-65 score? How is it interpreted?
Confusion Urea > 7 mmol/L Respiratory rate > 30/min BP < 90 systolic, < 60 diastolic Age> 65
Score of 2 = consider hospital admission
Score of more than 2 = severe pneumonia that may need ITU admission
Outline the presentation of bronchitis.
Cough
Fever
Increased sputum production
Increased SOB
Which organisms cause bronchitis?
Viruses
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Moraxella catarrhalis
Haemophilus influenzae
List some bacterial causes of cavitating lung lesions.
Staphylococcus aureus
Klebsiella pneumoniae
TB
What type of bacterium is H. influenzae?
Gram-negative cocco-bacilli (rod)
How is Legionella spread?
Inhalation of infected water droplets
What medium is Legionella grown on?
Buffered charcoal yeast extract
What is a common feature of bacteria that cause atypical pneumonia?
They have NO cell wall
List four atypical organisms.
Mycoplasma
Legionella
Chlamydia
Coxiella
Which type of antibiotics do not work on atypical bacteria?
Penicillins
NOTE: this is because they act on cell walls
Which type of antibiotics do work on atypical bacteria?
Antibiotics that interfere with protein synthesis (macrolides, tetracyclines)
List some clinical features of Legionella pneumophila infection.
Confusion Abdominal pain Diarrhoea Lymphopaenia Hyponatraemia
Urinary antigens are associated with which causes of pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Legionella pneumophila
Which investigation is used for Coxiella and Chlamydia psittaci?
Serology
NOTE: serology looks at the development of antibodies after an infection (requires paired samples). It is useful for investigating bacteria that are difficult to culture
What is an empyema?
Collection of pus within the pleural cavity
List some reasons for failure to respond to treatment.
Empyema/abscess
Proximal obstruction (e.g. tumour)
Resistant organisms
Not absorbing antibiotics
Immunosuppression
Alternative diagnosis (e.g. lung cancer)
What is the classical CXR feature of TB?
Upper lobe cavitation