Microbiology Flashcards
What is the causative organism in TB? and how do you test for it?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (acid alcohol fast bacilli). Test: Ziehl-neelson stain (turns blue to red)
What investigations are relevant to TB?
CXR - showing caseous necrosis.
PCR - gives specific info on organism (amplifies single copy of DNA)
What group of people are commonly affected by TB?
The middle-eastern population and the immunocompromised
What are the symptoms of infective endocarditis?
presence of new murmur. fever. embolic event/ sepsis of unknown origin. heart failure.
What investigations are done for endocarditis?
3 sets of blood culture. Echo
What are the signs of endocarditis?
Janeway lesions. Roth spots. Splinter haemorrhages. clubbing.
What is the most common cause of infective endocarditis? describe.
Staph. aureus. Gram positive cocci in clusters. Differentiated by coagulase test (positive).
What is the most common coagulase negative staphylococcus and what does it commonly infect?
Staph. epidermidis. Common skin comensal which infects prosthetic valves, IV catheter lines
What organism usually affects IV drug users in endocarditis and what valve is affected?
Staph. aureus. Tricuspid valve. (normally, endocarditis affects mitral or aortic valve)
What is a (alpha) partial haemolytic organism that causes endocarditis?
Strep. Viridans.
Strep. pneumonia also partial haemolytic, not related to endocarditis though
What is a non-haemolytic (gamma) organism that causes endocarditis?
Enterococcus spp.
Why do you give low dose gentamicin in endocarditis?
to prevent renal failure
What is the empirical treatment for endocarditis?
Amoxicillin IV + Gentamicin IV (low dose)
What is the treatment for endocarditis caused by Staph. aureus?
Flucloxacillin IV
What is the treatment for endocarditis caused by Strep. Viridans?
Benzylpenicillin IV + Gentamicin IV
What is the treatment for endocarditis caused by Staph. epidermidis?
Vancomycin IV + Gentamicin IV + Rifampicin (PO)
What is the treatment for endocarditis caused by Enterococcus spp.?
Amoxicillin/vancomycin IV + Gentamicin IV
What is the treatment for endocarditis caused by MRSA?
Vancomycin IV + Rifampicin PO
What is the treatment of right sided endocarditis?
Flucloxacillin IV
What are the two typical causes of pneumonia?
Strep. pneumonia + Haemophilus influenza
Give the symptoms of Strep. pneumonia.
rusty sputum. herpes labialis (cold sore)
gram positive cocci in chains
Describe pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenza.
Small gram negative bacilli. Common in COPD patients. Treat with amoxicillin, if allergic, doxycycline.
Describe pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumonia.
Common in children/ young bludz. Erythema multiforme. Dry cough. flu like symptoms.
Describe pneumonia due to Legionella pneumophila.
Suspect in patients who have travelled (colonises water tanks). DIARRHOEA. Test urine for antigens.