Microbiology Flashcards
Host defence in nasopharynx
Nasal hairs, ciliated epitheiia, IgA
Host defence in oropharynx
Saliva, coughing, sloughing
Inflammation of nose is called
Rhinitis
Upper respiratory tract gram positive colonisers
Alpha-haemolytic - Streptococcus pneumoniae
Beta-haemolytic - Streptococcus pyogenes
Upper respiratory tract infection causing organism that grows easily on blood agar
Haemophilus influenzae
Another example of upper respiratory tract infection causing organism
Moraxella catarrhalis
Defence in conducting airways
Mucociliary escalator, cough. Mucus has AMP - Anti microbial particles
Why does intubation lead to infections
Intubation inhibits the final stage of the ciliary escalator which helps in expulsion of foreign material from being swallowed or coughed up.
Chest examination and x-ray of acute bronchitis
Normal
When are COPD exacerbations often seen
Following viral infection, fall in temperature, increase in humidity
Symptoms of whooping cough
Pertussis - Paroxysmal coughing with cold like symptoms for 2 weeks. Repeated violent exhalations with severe inspiratory whoop
What causes pertusis
Whooping cough, by Bordetella pertussis
Gram negative bacillus exclusively in humans
Vaccine preventable
How long can whooping cough last
10 days
Contagious period for whooping cough
2 weeks
Diagnosing Bordetella pertusis
Bacterial culture or PCR of pernasal swab (< 21 days)
Serology (Takes long)