Microbiology Flashcards
Host risk factors for GI infections (5)
Age - young and elderly Reduced acid secretion Reduced gut motility Colonic microflora Intestinal immunity
What is the definition of diarrhoea?
three or more looses stools in a 24 hour period
What is the source or reservoir for an infection?
This is the original source of the infection e.g. animal gut
What is the vehicle of the infection?
The means by which the infection is transmitted from one person to another
Describe campylobacter
Curved gram negative bacillus
What is the incubation period of campylobacter?
3-10 days
What is the mechanism of action of campylobacter?
Causes inflammation of the colon and rectum (presents as blood diarrhoea) and can invade and get into the blood stream
what is the source of campylobacter?
farm animals
What is the vehicle of campylobacter?
uncooked poultry, water and unpasteurised milk
What are the symptoms of campylobacter?
abdominal pain and diarrhoea with or without blood
What is the treatment for campylobacter?
Erythromycin or Ciprofloxacin for 5 days if they develop systemic illness
What is the species name for food poisoning?
Salmonella Enterica
What is the incubation period for salmonella?
12 - 48 hours
What is the mechanism of action for salmonella?
Causes inflammation of ileum and colon, it multiplies in the gut and causes mucosal damage, decreasing fluid absorption and increasing fluid excretion. Can also invade and reach blood stream
What is the source of salmonella?
farm animals
What is the vehicle of salmonella?
undercooked poultry
what are the symptoms of salmonella?
Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, sometimes bloody and vomiting
what is the treatment for salmonella?
Ciprofloxacin for 5 days if at risk of systemic illness
What is the incubation period of shigella spp?
1 - 9 days
what is the mechanism of action of shigella spp?
Invades intestinal mucosa causing severe inflammation, does not invade any further i.e. not in blood. Pus and blood seen in stool
what is the source of shigella spp?
humans
What is the vehicle for shigella spp?
person to person
what are the symptoms of shigella spp?
Abdominal Pain, diarrhoea and occasionally blood
what is the management for shigella spp?
Symptomatic treatment – other species, caught abroad, cause a more sever infection, treat with ciprofloxacin
What is the source of action of Escherichia coli (E. Coli)?
Produces a toxin that damages red cells and the kidneys causing haemolytic-uraemic syndrome which increases blood urea, red cell haemolysis and thrombocytopenia
what is the source of E. Coli?
normal gut flora of cattle
What is the vehicle of E. Coli?
beef - mainly burgers and mince
What are the symptoms of E. Coli?
Abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea
What is the management of E. Coli?
symptomatic treatment
What are verotoxins?
Bind to receptors found on renal cells, RBC and others in the body. They inhibit protein synthesis and cause cell death
How does haemolytic ureamic syndrome present?
abdominal pain, fever, pallor, petechiae (haemorrhages in the skin) and decreased urine production (oliguria)
What indications show on a blood test fro HUS?
High white cells Low platelets Low HB Red cell Fragments Lactate dehydrogenase increased
What is typhoid caused by?
salmonella typhi/Salmonella paratyphi A & B
How does typhoid initially present?
Initially present as headaches, flu-like symptoms and then diarrhoea three weeks later
When does salmonella typhi become typhoid fever?
when it reaches the blood stream
what is the incubation period for typhoid fever?
14 - 21 days
what is the mechanism of action of typhoid?
Organism invades from the gut lumen, to the lymphatic system and blood stream. It is then in the reticuloendothelial system and call bladder and back to the gut lumen
what is the source of typhoid?
Human only
What is the vehicle for typhoid fever?
person-person and contaminated water
what are the symptoms of typhoid fever?
Fever, rash on abdomen (rose spots) and Diarrhoea