Microbiology Flashcards
What is the epidemiology of Chlamydia?
Worldwide distribution. In UK, 10% of under 25s affected.
How does Chlamydia usually present?
- Asymptomatic in 50% men and 80% women.
- Can present as urethritis (dysuria/discharge) in men, cervicitis in women.
- Complications are pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy in women; epididymitis and orchitis in men.
How is chlamydia infection diagnosed?
Can’t be cultured easily as obligate intracellular bacterium.
PCR based methods used which are highly sensitive and specific, plus can be used on non-invasive specimens.
What is the epidemiology of Lymphogranuloma venereum and what is the causative organism?
Chlamydia trachomatis serovars L1,L2,L3
Tropical STI but in last 5 years an ongoing outbreak identified in European MSM.
How does Lymphogranuloma venereum present?
Painless, non-indurated genital ulcer that heals rapidly +/-painful unilateral (2/3) inguinal buboes that may rupture and heal slowly with scarring.
Progresses to lymphoedema and deformity in some cases. Current UK epidemic in MSM characterised by painful proctitis, with some progressing to bowel strictures if not picked up. PCR diagnosis.
What is the epidemiology of gonorrhoea?
Worldwide distribution, in UK particularly seen in core groups (MSM, young people of black ethnicity).
How does gonorrhoea present and what complications are there?
Urethral discharge in men, more rarely discharge in women. Asymptomatic in many women.
Complications: PID, epididymo-orchitis. Can disseminate and cause rash.
How is gonorrhoea diagnosed?
Neisseria Gonnorrhoeae, gram negative diplococci seen on smear from urethral or cervical discharge. Can be cultured on specific media (fastidious organism). PCR based techniques increasingly used.
What are the two forms chlamydiae organisms exist in?
> Elementary bodies: stable, extracellular – infectious
> Reticulate particles: intracellular, metabolically active
What different serovars of chlamydia trachomatis are there and what diseases do they cause?
> A, B, C - Trachoma
D to K - genital chlamydia infection, ophthalmia neonatorum
L1, L2, L3 - Lymphogranuloma venereum
What is the epidemiology of syphilis?
World wide distribution. Almost disappeared in UK but reappeared in late 1990s in MSM and now endemic again. Unlike most other acute STIs, the burden of syphilis does not fall solely upon young people.
How does syphilis present?
> Primary-painless ulcer “chancre” that heals without scarring in 1-3 weeks
Secondary-disseminated infection, with rash, systemic symptoms, alopecia, uveitis, hearing loss, lymphadenopathy, snail track ulcers, condlyomata acuminata.
Tertiary-years later. Cardiovascular, neurological, bone and/or skin (70%) manifestations.
How is syphilis diagnosed?
Obligate human parasite Treponema pallidum, a spirochaete, can’t be cultured.
Specific tests: Dark ground microscopy of ulcers/skin lesions can reveal spirochaete.
On blood, EIA for antibody, TPHA/TPPA haemagglutinin assays. PCR recently available for ulcers.
Non-specific tests: RPR (VDRL in past) used to show activity but may be increased in other conditions.
What is the incubation period for syphilis?
Primary: 9-90 days
Secondary: 4-8 weeks
Tertiary: 2-40 years
What is the causative organism in chancroid and how does it present?
Chancroid is caused by Haemophilus ducreyi (gram -ve coccobacillus) and is diagnosed by microscopy, culture or PCR. It often causes multiple painful ulcers. It is seen in Sub-saharan Africa but incidence has decreased in recent years.
What is the causative organism in donovanosis and how is it diagnosed?
Aka Granuloma inguinale is caused by Klebsiella granulomatis (gram -ve bacillus) and is found in Australian aboriginal populations and some other tropical regions. Diagnosis is via visualisation of Donovan bodies on Giemsa staining of a tissue smear, crush preparation or biopsy.
What is the causative organism in trichomoniasis, how does it present and how is it diagnosed?
Trichomonas vaginalis (flagellated protozoan) Causes discharge in women, asympto or urethritis in men Diagnosed via wet prep microscopy, culture (rarely done) or PCR
What is bacterial vaginosis?
Polymicrobial, altered vaginal flora with raised vaginal pH associated with sex (not transmitted) and hygiene practices e.g. douching. Causes discharge with offensive odour. Diagnosed on gram stain of discharge. Treatment with oral metronidazole.
What is vaginal candidiasis?
Usually causes by candida albicans, rarely others.
Presents with itch, soreness and white, thick discharge.
Diagnosed by culture or direct gram stain for spores/hyphae.
Treatment: topical (pessary) antifungals e.g. clotrimazole, or oral e.g. fluconazole.
What serotypes of HPV cause genital warts?
HPV 6 and 11.
Types 16 and 18 cause cervical and anal dysplasia and cancer.
What treatment is available for genital warts?
Cosmetic/destructive. No curative treatment for virus. Cryotherapy or podophyllotoxin cream/lotion are first line. Vaccine now available for prevention.
What does Molluscum contagiosum cause?
Commonly seen in children as lesions on hands/body. In adults often presents with lesions on genitals. Spread via skin to skin contact. Self limiting. Can cause giant lesions in immunosuppressed. Facial lesions in adults are highly suspicious of HIV infection.
What is the treatment for pubic lice?
Topical e.g. Malathion lotion, Permethrin lotion, applied to whole body as per instructions.
What are prion diseases?
> Protein-only infectious agent
Rare transmissable spongiform encephalopathies in humans + animals
Rapid neuro-degeneration
Currently untreatable