Microbiology Flashcards
Beta haemolytic strep on agar and examples
Beta-hemolysis (β-hemolysis) is associated with complete lysis of red cells surrounding the colony.
It exhibits a wide zone (2-4 mm wide). Beta hemolysis is more marked when the plate has been incubated anaerobically. They are generally commensals of throat and causes opportunistic infections.
Examples: Streptococcus pyogenes, or Group A beta-hemolytic Strep (GAS).
Alpha haemolytic strep on agar and examples
Alpha-hemolysis (α-hemolysis) is a partial or “green” hemolysis associated with reduction of red cell hemoglobin. Alpha hemolysis is caused by hydrogen peroxide produced by the bacterium, oxidizing hemoglobin to green methemoglobin.
It exhibit incomplete haemolysis with 1-2 mm wide. Persistence of some unhaemolysed RBC’s can be seen microscopically.
Examples: Streptococcus pneumoniae and a group of oral streptococci (Streptococcus viridans or viridans streptococci)
Prevalence of HIV in UK Obstetric population
2 per 1000 live births
Infant antiretroviral therapy
V Low risk (Mother been on cART for >10 weeks and 2x documented maternal HIV viral loads <50 HIV RNA copies/ ml during pregnancy at least 4 weeks apart AND maternal HIV viral load <50 at 36 weeks) –> 2 weeks zidovudine monotherapy
Low risk (maternal viral load <50 at 36 weeks or at time of delivery if premature) –> 4 weeks zidovudine mono therapy
High risk (doesn’t meet low risk criteria) –> Combination PEP
HIV viral load at 36 weeks and recommendation for delivery
<50 HIV RNA copies/ml: vaginal delivery
50-399: PCLS considered (factor in actual viral load, trajectory of viral load, length of time on treatment, adherence issues, obstetric factors & woman’s views)
> 400: PLCS
Infant HIV testing
Formula fed infants:
- During the first 48 hours and prior to hospital discharge
- If HIGH RISK, at 2 weeks of age
- 6 weeks (at least 2 weeks post cessation of infant prophylaxis)
- 12 weeks (at least 8 weeks post cessation of infant prophylaxis)
- On other occasions if additional risk
- HIV antibody testing for seroreversion should be checked at age 18-24 months
Breastfed infants as above plus the following additional tests:
- At 2 weeks of age
- Monthly for the duration of breastfeeding
- At 4 and 8 weeks after cessation of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is advised to be avoided regardless of viral load
What family of viruses does rubella belong to?
Togavirus (single stranded RNA genome)
Structure of rotavirus
Double stranded RNA virus
Examples of double stranded DNA viruses
Hep B
CMV
VZV
HSV1 & 2
HPV
EBV
Structure of parvovirus B19
Single stranded DNA virus
Single stranded RNA viruses
Hep A/C/D/E
Rubella
HIV
Zika
Ebola
What is pelvic actinomyces associated with?
IUCDs- usually prolonged use (>2 years), symptoms of fever, vaginal discharge, pelvic or abdominal pain & weight loss.
On microscopy, may see sulphur granules
What are HPV 6 and 11 associated with?
Genital warts and low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix (can correspond cytologically to CIN1)
Gardasilu vaccine
Quadrivalent vaccine against HPV 6, 11, 16, 18
Which genotypes of HPV are the most important?
16 and 18
They are responsible for 70% of cases of HPV related cancers
How does HPV induce cancer?
Via Onco-proteins.
The primary Onco-proteins are E6 and E7 which inactivate two tumour suppressor proteins, p53 (inactivated by E6) and pRb (inactivated by E7)
How quickly are HPV infections typically cleared?
70% within 1 year and 90% within 2 years
Intrapartum antibiotics for GBS
3g Benzylpenicillin should be administered as soon as possible after the onset of labour and 1.5g 4 hourly until delivery.
If penicillin allergic the alternative depends on severity of reaction.
Provided a woman has not had severe allergy to penicillin, a cephalosporin should be used.
If there is any evidence of severe allergy to penicillin, vancomycin should be used.
Suggested regimens are: Cefuroxime 1.5 g loading dose followed by 750 mg every 8 hours or if allergy to beta-lactams is severe then IV vancomycin 1 g every 12 hours.
Most common causative organism for cellulitis and other possible microorganisms
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep- also causes tonsillitis, scarlet fever and rheumatic fever)
Staph. aureus is the second most common
Staph. epidermis can form biofilms on catheters/implants
Clostridia Perfringens causes gas gangrene
Strep. Mutans causes tooth decay and dental cavities
Types of alpha haemolytic streptococci
Strep pneumoniae
Strep viridans
Types of beta haemolytic strep and the diseases they cause
A: strep pyogenes:
- Scarlet fever
- Rheumatic fever
- Tonsilitis/ pharyngitis
- Glomerulonephritis
- Toxic shock
- Nec Fasc
B: Strep agalactia
- GBS disease of newborn
- Chorioamnionitis
- Endometritis
C: Strep dysgalactiae
- Pharyngitis
- Endocarditis
- Toxic shock
- Nec fasc
D: reclassified as enterococcus
- Colitis
- Endocarditis
F: Strep anginosus
- Liver abscess
G: group G strep
- Toxic shock
- Nec fasc
- Vaginitis
Incubation period of chickenpox, rubella, influenza, parvovirus, strep pyogenes (scarlet fever), CMV
Chickenpox: 14 (10-21)
Rubella: 14 (12-23)
Influenza: 1-3
Parvovirus (Fifth disease): 4-20
Strep pyogenes (Scarlet fever): 1-7
CMV: 3-12 weeks
Features of congenital CMV infection
Diagnosis
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Visual Impairment
Microcephaly
Low Birth weight
Seizures
Cerebral Palsy
Neurodevelopment delay
Hepatosplenomagaly with jaundice
Thrombocytopenia with petechial rash
10-15% of infected infants will be symptomatic at birth
A further 10-15% who are asymptomatic at birth will develop symptoms later in life
Diagnosis of fetal CMV infection is via amniocentesis
Amniocentesis should not be performed for at least 6 weeks after maternal infection and not until the 21st week of gestation
Risk of congenital CMV infection with primary/ recurrent infection during pregnancy
Risk of congenital infection is 30-40% with primary infection during pregnancy (vertical transmission)
Risk of congenital infection is 1-2% with recurrent CMV infection in pregnancy
Congenital rubella syndrome features
Risk of transmission in 1st/2nd trimester
Sensorneural Deafness
Ophthalmic Defects: Retinopathy, Glaucoma, Cataracts, Micropthalmia
Cardiovascular Defects:
PDA, VSD, Pulmonary stenosis
CNS:
Neurodevelopmental delay, Microcephaly, Meningoencephalitis
Others:
Thrombocytopenia (rash described as blueberry muffin), Hepatosplenomegaly
Late onset: diabetes, GH deficiency, thyroiditis
Risk of transmission:
1st: 80-90%
2nd: 25%
Congenital toxoplasmosis infection clinical features
Risk of placental transmission/ adverse fetal outcome
Hydrocephalus
Microcephaly
Intracranial calcifications
Ophthalmic Defects (chorioretinitis, strabismus, blindness)
Epilepsy
Neurodevelopmental delay
Thrombocytopenia
Anaemia
Risk of placental transmission increases with gestation (1st TM 14%, 3rd TM >50%)
Adverse fetal outcome risk dereases with gestation
Congenital HSV infection clinical features
Neonatal Herpes can lead to severe neurological impairment and death
Genital HSV infection occurring in early pregnancy is associated:
Increased risk of spontaneous abortion, IUGR, preterm labour and congenital herpes (rare 2 per 100,000 live births)
What type of organism is toxoplasma gondii?
Source?
Intracellular protozoan parasite
Source: uncooked meat, cat faeces
When are fetal consequences highest for toxoplasmosis infection?
Diagnosis?
Treatment?
First 10 weeks gestation, however maternal-fetal transmission risk increases as the pregnancy proceeds but the consequences become less severe
Diagnosis can be via PCR or Immunoglobulins (IgM,IgG and IgA). MRI/CT may show ring enhancing lesions in CNS tissues
Treatment not usually required in the immunocompetent.
In pregnancy treatment is indicated if recent infection suspected
Treatment varies depending on local protocols (Spiromycin or combination of pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and folinic acid)
Interpretation of immunoglobulins for rubella infection
IgM- acute infection
IgG- produced in response to infection, but produced later than IgM. Also produced in response to vaccination.
If both negative = susceptible to infection
Risk of congenital fetal varicella syndrome (FVS) in pregnant women who develop chickenpox
The risk of FVS to babies born to mothers who have chickenpox during the first 20 weeks gestation is 0.4% (1-12 weeks) - 2.0% (13-20 weeks).
If a mother has chickenpox in late pregnancy (5 days prior to delivery) then there is risk of neonatal varicella infection (25%) which may be severe.
Features of FVS
Hypoplasia of one limb
Cicatricial lesions with a dermatomal distribution
CNS abnormalities
Eye abnormalities
What is the causative organism of gas gangrene?
Clostridium perfringens
What is the most common causative organism in necrotizing fasciitis?
Group A streptococcus (strep pyogenes)
HPV vaccine Gardasil is what type of vaccine?
Recombinant vaccine of virus-like particles (VPLs)
Most common cause of endometritis (bacteria)
Polymicrobial