MICROBIOLOGY Flashcards
What are the common microbial causes of cervicitis?
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Neisseria Gonorrhoea
- HSV
- Trichomonas vaginalis (protozoa)
- Anaerobes
Mark also indicates that Mycoplasma Genitalium can cause this, but it isn’t as common (STI Lecture 2).
1-3 most common causes. Remainder not as common.
Describe the common clinical presentation of cervicitis, and include associated symptoms
- Discharge (usually mucopurulent from endocervix)
- Inflamed & oedematous ectropion
Commonly associated with:
- Co-exiting urethral infection
- History of dysuria
Where do you collect specimens to diagnose cervicitis, and what technique do you use to diagnose it?
Always take a sample of the discharge
Swab high vagina (next to ectropion on cervix), endocervical) and a first pass urine.
Analyse all using PCR are most organisims don’t culture.
What are the common microbial causes of urethritis?
Gonococcus
Chlamydia trachomatis
The following are gaining importance: Ureaplasma urealyticum Mycoplasma hominis Trichomonis vaginalis (protozoa) HSV
Describe the common clinical presentation of urethritis, and include associated symptoms
Urethral inflammation
In males also meatal inflammation
Dysuria
Discharge
What are the differential diagnosis for someone presenting with urethral discharge & dysuria?
Urethritis, Cystitis or ureter infection
What are the important aspects of clinical history and specimen collection for a patient suspected of having gonococcal urethritis?
Need to take a good history of exposure - eg oral/anal sex as often these areas can also be infected, not just urethra, but are asymptomatic.
Swab urethra, +/- anorectal/pharyngeal areas depending on history of risky behaviour.
What is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?
Inflammation & infection of the upper genital tract in females, typically including: Endometrium Ovaries Fallopian tubes Surrounding structures
What are clinical signs & symptoms of PID?
Adnexal tenderness Cervical motion tenderness Lower abdomen discomfort/tenderness/rebound/guarding Vaginal discharge Bleeding Dyspareunia (pain during intercourse)
What are the complications of PID?
20% infertility
20% chronic pelvic pain
10% ectopic pregnancy
Increase the chance/risk of complication, the more times you have PID.
Common causative agents/mechanisms by which PID is acquired?
SEXUAL ACQUISITION Chlamydia trachomatis (+/- gonorrhoea). Usually polymicrobial which makes treatment protracted and complex.
NON-SEXUAL ACQUISITION
Mechanical disruption to cervix (eg insertion of IUCD, delivery, surgery, pregnancy, termination) can increase risk, as these can disturb normal flora of vagina and increase susceptibility.
What is the characteristic appearance of Gonorrhoea under the light microscope?
Gram negative diplococci within the neutrophil cytoplasm.
What is the characteristic appearance of Gonorrhoea under the light microscope?
Gram negative diplococci within the neutrophil cytoplasm.
On which media is Gonorrhoea grown, and why?
Gonorrhoea is very fastitidious (difficult to culture) so is often grown on chocolate agar or Thayer-Martin agar (enriched media).
What is Thayer-Martin agar/media, and what is it used for? Why?
It is chocolate agar + antibiotics and used to culture Gonorrhoea (which is fastitidious). It is used to suppress ‘normal’ flora overgrowth, so that if gonorrhoea is present it will grow preferentially.