Microbiology 4: Infection Cases

Question 1

What is the typical appearance of Pneumocystis Jiroveccii pneumonia on CT ?

Answer 1

Bilateral Widespread patchy consolidation with Ground glass opacity sparing the lung bases.

Question 2

Which sinus infections are poorly controlled diabetics more susceptible to ?

Answer 2

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis

A fungal infection that infects the sinuses and can invade into the frontal lobes of the brain

The fungi is called Mucor

Question 3

Which organisms are people with complement defficiency more susceptible to ?

Answer 3

Encapsulated organisms - Neisseria Meningitidis, Streptococcus Pneumoniae

Question 4

Which organisms are people with neutrophil deficiency more susceptible to ?

Answer 4

Staphylococcus infections

Question 5

Which organisms are people with T cell deficiencies more susceptible to ?

Answer 5

Candida
PCP
CMV
EBV

Question 6

Which indolent infections are more common in alcoholics ?

Answer 6

Actinomycetes lung/ brain abscesses

Question 7

Which histological feature is characteristic of actinomyces infections ?

Answer 7

Basophilic sulphur granules

Question 8

Which antibiotic is recommended for treatment of mild C.diff infections ?

Answer 8

Metronidazole

Question 9

Which antibiotic is recommended for treatment of severe C.diff infections ?

Answer 9

Vancomycin + metronidazole

Question 10

antibiotics for CAP

Answer 10

co-amoxiclav and clarithromycin

Question 11

antibiotics for pneumocystitis jirovecii pneumonia

Answer 11

co-trimoxazole

Question 12

what is the main determinant of immune damage in HIV

Answer 12

CD4+ count

Question 13

what type of infections do you get in T cell deficiency

Answer 13

sepsis
CMV, EBV, enteroviral hepatitis
candida, PCP

aggressive, opportunistic infections

Question 14

what type of infections do you get in B cell deficiency

Answer 14

strep, staph
enteroviral encephalitis
giardia
recurrent sinopulmonary infections

Question 15

what type of infections do you get in neutrophil deficiency

Answer 15

staph, pseudomonas

candida, aspergillus

Question 16

features of actinomyces lung abscesses

Answer 16

gram +ve rod, branches
indolent, slow growing
basophilic sulphur granules

Question 17

how is osteomyelitis managed

Answer 17

antibiotics not usually curative
removal of devitalised tissues and prevention of extension of the infection by providing adequate drainage is very important

Question 18

common bacteria causing diarrhoea

Answer 18

E coli O157
shigella
salmonella
C. diff

Question 19

what infection is common in those on l-t antibiotics

Answer 19

C. diff
non -severe give metronidazole
severe - change to vancomycin
can progress to severe ileus and vomiting

Question 20

what drugs, aside from antibiotics, can cause C. diff

Answer 20

cytotoxic drugs, antacids/ PPIs, non-surgical GI procedures eg NG tube

Question 21

how does C. diff infection present

Answer 21

explosive, watery, foul-smelling diarrhoea

high WCC + low CRP