Microbiology Flashcards
Define pathogen
An organism that can cause disease
Define Commensal
An organism that colonises a host but does not normally cause disease
Define opportunistic pathogen
Microbe that only causes disease if host defences are compromised
Define Virulence/pathogenicity
The degree to which an organism is pathogenic
Define Asymptomatic carriage
When a pathogen is carried at a tissue site where it causes no disease
What is the morphological classification of bacteria?
- Cocci (balls)
2. Bacilli (rods)
How can cocci exist?
Single
Diplo
Cluster
Chain
How can bacilli exist?
Single
Chain
Curved (vibrio)
Spiral (spirochete)
Name 2 forms of bacterial toxins
- Endotoxin
2. Exotoxin
What is an endotoxin?
Component of outer membrane of bacteria –> Gram NEGATIVE LPS
What is an exotoxin?
Secreted proteins from Gram Positive and Negative bacteria
What type of bacteria can’t be cultures on artificial media?
Obligate intracellular bacteria
Name 3 types of obligate intracellular bacteria
- Rickettsia
- Chlamydia
- Coxiella
Name a bacteria with no cell wall
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Name 3 types of bacteria that grow as filaments
- Actinomyces
- Nocardia
- Streptomyces
Name 3 types of spirochetes bacteria
- Leptospira
- Treponema
- Borrelia
Describe the process of Gram staining
- Apply crystal violet stain
- Add iodide - binds to cell wall
- Decolourise with ethanol
- Counterstain with pink safranin
What colour is Gram Positive bacteria on gram staining?
Purple/blue - ethanol dehydrates cell wall
What colour is Gram Negative bacteria on gram staining?
Pink/red - ethanol degrades LPS
Name 4 Gram Positive tests
- Catalase test
- Coagulase test
- Haemolysis test
- Optochin test
What is the mechanism of action of the catalase test?
Flavoproteins reduce O2 ro H2O2
H2O2 then reacts with the catalase
What Gram positive bacteria are catalase positive?
Staphylococci
What Gram positive bacteria are catalase negative?
Streptococci
What is the mechanism of the coagulase test?
Coagulase activates prothrombin
Caused fibrinogen to be converted to fibrin
Fibrin clop formation around bacteria
What Gram positive bacteria are coagulase positive?
Staphylococcus aureus
What Gram positive bacteria are coagulase negative?
Staphylococci except Staphylococcus aureus = S. epidermis and S. saphrphyticus
How does a haemolysis test work?
Streptococci express haemolysis –> breakdown RBC in blood agar
What group of bacteria is the haemolysis test used to distinguish between?
Streptococci
What group of bacteria is the coagulase test used to distinguish between?
Staphylococci
What are the 3 outcomes of a haemolysis test?
Alpha haemolysis - partial lysis
Beta haemolysis - complete lysis
Gamma hameolysis - no lysis
What colour does the agar go with alpha haemolysis?
Green –> H2O2 oxidises haemoglobin
What colour does the agar go with beta haemolysis?
Clear –> RBC lysis occurs
Give an example of a alpha haemolytic strep
S. pneumoniae
Give an example of a beta haemolytic strep
S. pyogenes
Give an example of a gamma haemolytic strep
S. bovis
What is the optochin test a test for?
It is an alpha haemolytic strep test to distinguish between Strep. pneumoniae and Strep. viridians
Give an example of a optochin sensitive strep
Strep. pneumoniae
Give an example of a optochin resistant strep
Strep. viridians
Name 2 aerobic cocci gram positive bacterias
- Staphylococcus
2. Streptococcus
Name an anaerobic cocci gram positive bacteria
Peprostreptococcus
Name 3 aerobic bacilli gram positive bacterias
- Corynebacterium (diphtheriae)
- Listeria
- Bacillus (anthracis)
Name an anaerobic bacilli gram positive bacteria
Clostridium (botulinum, tetani, difficile, perfringens)
Name 3 Gram negative tests
- MacConkey agar
- CLED media
- Oxidase test
What is the MacConkey agar test selective for gram negative cultures?
Bile salts inhibit gram positive growth
What are the 2 outcomes of a MacConkey agar plate?
Lactose postive
Lactose negative
What happens to the agar with a lactose positive test?
Bacteria can metabolise lactose so it generates lactase and lowers the pH producing red stain
Name a lactose positive gram negative bacterias
Enterobacteriaceae
E.g. E. coli or Klebsiella
Name 4 lactose negative gram negative bacterias
Shigella
Salmonella
Pseudomonas
Proteus
What happens in a CLED media test
Lactose fermenters stain yellow –> used for urinary pathogens
What does the oxidase test determine?
If an organism contains cytochrome oxidase or indophenol oxidase
Name 3 oxidase positive organisms
Pseudomonas
Vibrio
Neisseria
Name an aerobic cocci gram negative bacteria
Neisseria (meningitidis, gonorrhoea)
Name an anaerobic cocci gram negative bacteria
Veilonella
Name 4 oxidase positive aerobic bacilli gram negative bacteria
Vibtio
Helicobacter
Campylobacter
Pseudomanas
Name 4 paryobacteria aerobic bacilli gram negative bacteria
Haemophilius
Brucella
Bordetella
Pasteurella
Name 5 coliform aerobic bacilli gram negative bacteria
Escherichia Klebsiella Salmonella Shigella Citrobacter
Name an anaerobic bacilli gram negative organism
Bacteroides
Name 4 features of the cell membrane structure of a gram positive bacteria
- Outer capsule
- Lots of peptidoglycan
- Lipoteichoic acid
- Inner membrane
Give 4 features of S. aureus
Staphylococcus bacteria
Coagulase +ve
Commensal in nose and skin
Spread by aerosol and touch
Name 4 virulence factors of S. aureus
- Pore forming toxins
- Proteases
- Toxic Shock Syndrome toxin - stimulates cytokine release
- Protein A - surface protein which binds to Ig’s in wrong orientation
Name 4 pyogenic associated conditions with S. aureus
Wound infections
Hospital Acquired Pneumonia
Septicaemia
Osteomyelitis
Name 3 toxin mediated condition associated with S. aureus
Scaled skin syndrome
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Food poisoning
What is the full name of S. aureus
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
What is MRSA resistant to?
Beta lactams
Erythromycin
Gentamycin
Tetracyclines
What infections are often associated with S. epidermidis?
Opportunistic infections often due to prostheses and catheters
Name a virulence factor of S. epidermidis
Forms persistent biofilms
What does S. saprophyticus cause?
Acute cystitis
Name 2 virulence factors of S. saprophyticus
Haemagglutinin - adhesion
Urease - formation of kidney stones
Name 3 ways to classify Streptococci bacteria
- Haemolysis
- Sero-grouping (Lancefield grouping A-H and K-V)
- Biochemical properties
What is sero-grouping?
Method of grouping catalase negative and coagulase negative bacteria based on bacterial carbohydrate cell surface antigens
Name a Group A streptococci bacteria
S. pyogenes
Name a Group B streptococci bacteria
S. agalactiae
Give 3 features of S. pneumoniae
Alpha haemolytic Strep
Optochin sensitive
Oropharyngeal commensal
Name 2 endotoxin virulence factors for S. pneumoniae
- Antiphagocytic capsule
2. Inflammatory wall components
Name an exotoxin virulence factor for S. pneumoniae
Pore forming toxin (pneumolysin)
Name 4 conditions associated with S. pneumoniae
Pneumonia
Otitis media
Sinusitis
Meningitis
Give 2 features of Viridans Sterptococci
Optochin resistant
Collective name for oral strep
What is the most virulent viridians strep?
Milleri group - S. intermedium, S. angionsus, S. constellatus
Name 3 conditions associated with viridian’s strep
- Dental caries
- Infective endocarditis
- Abscesses
Give 2 features of S. pyogenes
Beta haemolytic strep
Lancefield group A
Name 5 conditions associated with S. pyogenes
Cellulitis Tonsillitis/pharyngitis Otitis media Impetigo Scarlet fever
Name 2 endotoxin virulence factors of S. pyogenes
Capsule
M surface protein - degrades complement
Name 2 exotoxin virulence factors of S. pyogenes
Enzymes
Toxins - exaggerate immune response
Name a gram positive bacilli bacteria
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
How does corynebacterium diphtheriae cause diphtheria?
Droplet spread causes diphtheria - grey throat patches
Name a virulence factor of Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Toxin inhibits protein synthesis
How can Corynebacterium diphtheriae be prevented?
Toxoid vaccination
Name 4 features of the cell membrane structure of a gram negative bacteria
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
- Outer membrane
- Small amount of peptidoglycan
- Inner membrane
What is lipopolysaccharide?
Forms the outer leaflet of the outer membrane lipid biller Made of 3 parts: 1. Lipid A- toxic part 2. Core R antigen 3. Somatic O antigen - highly antigenic
Name 2 classes of virulence factors for gram negative bacteria
Colonisation factors
Toxins/effectors
Name 4 colonisation virulence factors for gram negative bacteria
Adhesins
Invasins
Nutrine acquisition
Defence
Name toxin/effector virulence factors for gram negative bacteria
Usually secreted protein –> damage and subversion
Give features of Proteobacteria
Gram Negative bacteria
Rod shaped
Facultatively anaerobic motile bacilli
Name the 3 main types of enterobacteria
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Salmonella
Shigella
How can enterobacteria be catergorsied?
By cell surface antigens - K (cell capsule), H (flagellum) and O (LPS antigen)
Which enterobacteria are motile?
E. coli and salmonella
Which enterobacteria are non-motile?
Shigella
Give features of E. coli
Gram negative bacteria
Enterobacteria (coliform)
Commensals
Peritrichous flagella
Name 7 conditions associated with E. coli
Wound infections UTI's Gastroenteritis Travellers' diarrhoea Bacteraemia Meningitis in infants
Name 6 pathogenic strains of E. coli
- Entero-toxigenic (ETEC)
- Entero-pathogenic (EPEC)
- Entero-haemorrhagic (EHEC)
- Entero-invasive (EIEC)
- Entero-aggregative (EAEC)
- Uro-pathogenic (UPEC)
Where does Entero-toxigenic E.coli work and what does it cause?
Acts in small intestine causing secretory diarrhoea
Where does Entero-pathogenic E.coli work and what does it cause?
Acts in small intestine causing watery diarrhoea (<1 year)
Where does Entero-haemorrhagic E.coli work and what does it cause?
Acts in large intestine and causes bloody diarrhoea and Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) - food borne
Where does Entero-invasive E.coli work and what does it cause?
Acts in large intestine causing blood diarrhoea/dysentery (children)
Where does Entero-aggregative E.coli work and what does it cause?
Acts in large intestine causing chronic diarrhoea (children)
Where does Uro-pathogenic E.coli work and what does it cause?
Acts in urinary tract causing UTI’s (women)
What are the virulence facts for entero-toxigenic E. coli?
Toxin and pili
What are the virulence facts for entero-pathogenic E. coli?
Pedestal formation
What are the virulence facts for entero-haemorrhagic E. coli?
Pedestal formation and Shiva-Like toxin
What are the virulence facts for entero-invasive E. coli?
Invasins –> inflammatoin/ulceration
What are the virulence facts for entero-aggregative E. coli?
Pili and cytotoxin = shorter villi and mucus production
What are the virulence facts for uro-pathogenic E. coli?
Haemolysin = inflammation
Explain the pathogenic mechanism for enter-toxigenic E.coli
Heat labile toxin enters the epithelial cell and causes G protein modification (Gs)
Adenylate cyclase activated locked in ON state
Increase cAMP production –> binds to protein kinase A and phosphorylates the CFTR transporter
Loss of CL and H2O = diarrhoea
Explain the pathogenic mechanism for entero-pathogenic and entero-haemorrhagic E.coli (pedestal formation)
Pathogen adheres to microvilli with pathogenic pili
Type 3 Secretion System acts like syringe
Injects toxins into epithelial cell which rearranges actin and disrupts tight junctions and ion activity (diarrhoea)
Microvilli reform into pedestals holding pathogen
What is Shigellosis?
Diseases caused by shigella bacteria
Explain the pathology of shigella
Invasins –> inflammatoin/ulceration
AND
Shiga-liek toxin
Name a virulence factor for shigella
Shiga toxin –> interferes with protein synthesis - stops translation
Explain the pathogenesis of shigella
Low infective dose (acid tolerant) - transferred in contaminated food/water or person-to-person
Enter gut muscle by invading M cells in GALT –> phagocytksed –> released during apoptosis
Shiga toxin damages epithelium leading to inflammation
Bacteria then free to infect adjacent cells
Name the symptoms of shigella
Severe bloody diarrhoea
Frequent small volume still
Self-;limiting
Name a complication associated with shigella
Shiga toxin targets kidneys leading to renal failure/Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)
Name the main species of Salmonella
S. enterica
Name 2 types of salmonellosis caused by S. enterica
Gastroenteritis (food poisoning) Enteric fever (typhoid)
Explain the pathogenesis of S. enterica
Ingestion of contaminated food/water (high infective dose)
Invades small intestine epithelium leading to inflammatory response
Salmonella movement
- Transcytosed to basolateral membrane – phagocytosed in submucosa
- Survival and replication within macrophage –> disseminated around body through lymphatics –> typhoid
Give the features of Proteus mirabillis
Gram negative bacilli enterobacteria
Differentiates into an elongated hyperflagellated form
Opportunistic infection - UTI –> bacteraemia
Virulence factor = urease
Give the features of Klebsiella penumoniae
Gram negative bacilli enterobacteria
Typical CAP pathogen
Opportunistic, nosocomiali infections
What conditions can Klebsiella penumoniae lead to?
Colonisation of GIT and oropharynx is benign but can lead to: UTI Pneumonia Surgical wound infections Bacteraemia Sepsis
Give the features of Yersinia
Gram negative bacilli enterobacteria
Y. enterocolitica = ileum localised
Y. pestis = bubonic plague
Give the features of Vibrio cholerae
Gram negative bacteria
Facultative anaerobe
Curved rods with a single polar flagellum
Explain the pathogenesis of Vibrio cholerae
Tansmissiong through faecal contaminated food/water and uncooked shellfish - high infective dose
5 day incubation period in small intestine
Voluminous watery stool
Name 2 virulence factors of Vibrio cholerae
Pili - colonisation
Cholera toxin - causes increase in cAMP production so mass loss of Cl- and H2O
What are the symptoms and treatment for Vibrio cholerae
Rice water stools that can lead to hypovolaemic shock - can lose 2-L of fluid / day
Treated by oral rehydration therapy
Give the features of Pseumdomonas aeruginosa
Gram negative bacilli
Ubiquitous, free-living aerobe
Motile and opportunistic
Name the infections associated with Pseumdomonas aeruginosa
Local - burns, surgery, catheters
Systemic - neutropenic patients (leukaemia, chemo, ADIS)
ICU - ventilators (HAP)
Chronic - CF
Name 3 virulence factors of Pseumdomonas aeruginosa
Twitching motility
Pili
Multiple toxins - inhibit protein synthesis and interfere with cell signalling or cause cell death or damage
Give the features of Haemophilus influenzae
Gram negative bacteria
Human parasite mainly carried nasopharyngeally
Name 6 conditions associated with Haemophilus influenzae
Meningitis Pneumonia Sinusitis Epiglottitis Bacteraemia Otitis media
Name 3 virulence factors of Haemophilus influenzae
- Pili - adherence
- Penetrating capsule - invasive stain are encapsulated, can penetrate nasopharyngeal epithelium and are resistance to phagocytosis and the complement system
- LPS - inflammation and also resistant to complement
What conditions are associated with Legionalla pneumophila?
Legionnaires disease (atypical pneumonia) in immunocompromised
Where is Legionalla pneumophila present?
In man-made aquatic environment - air conditioning, water towers and replicate within freshwater protozoa
Explain the pathogenesis of Legionalla pneumophila
Pathogen infects Pathogen infects alveolar macrophages –> avoids destruction and replicates
Releases pro-inflammatory signals –> neutrophil influx into lungs
What condition is associated with Bordetella pertussis
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Explain the pathogenesis of Bordetella pertussis
Aerosol transmission - low infective dose so highly contagious
7 day flu symptoms leading to paroxysmal cough
Name 2 virulence factors of Bordetella pertussis
- Pertussis toxin - increase cAMP production due to G-protein in locked OFF state (so prevents inhibitor of cAMP)
- Adenylate cyclase-haemolysin toxin - increase in cAMP production
Give the features of Nisseria
Gram negative bacteria
Non-flagellated diplococci
Fastidious
Humans only known reservoir
Name 2 form of Nisseria
- N. meningitidis
2. N. gonorrhoea
Explain the pathogenesis of N. meningitidis
Aerosol transmission
Crosses nasopharyngeal epithelium and enters blood
Name 3 conditions associated with N. meningitidis
- Bacteraemia
- Septicaemia
- Meningitis (crosses BBB)
Name 3 virulence factors of N. meningitidis
- Anti-phagocytic capsule
- Pili - colonises
- LPS - cytokine cascade and sepsis
Explain the pathogenesis of N. gonorrhoea
Sexual transmission - STD
Can be asymptomatic
Name 6 conditions associated with N. gonorrhoea
- Urethritis
- Salpingitis
- Proctitis
- Gingivitis
- Pharyngitis
- Babies infected by mum - Conjunctivitis
Name 2 virulence factors of N. gonorrhoea
Twitching motility
LPS - inflammatory response and serum resistance
Give the features of Campylobacter
Gram negative proteobacteria
Spiral rods
Unipolar or bipolar flagella
Low infective dose
Name 2 types of Campylobacter
C. jejune
C. coli
What is Campylobacter the most common cause of?
Food poisoning - self limiting bloody diarrhoea (often with blood lasting a week)
Give the features of Helicobacter pylori
Gram negative proteobacteria
Microaerophilic (requires CO2)
Spiral shaped
Tuft of polar flagella
Name 2 conditions Helicobacter pylori is associated with
- Gastritis
2. Peptic ulcer disease
Name a virulence factor of Helicobacter pylori
Urease –> ammonia = gastric acid buffer
Give the key features of bacteriodes
Gram negative bacteria
Non motile rods
Most abundant commensal
Opportunistic infections = anaerobic
Give the key features of Chlamydia
Obligate intracellular parasites
Very small
Non motile
How many phases are in the growth cycle of Chlamydia?
2 - Elementary bodies and Reticulate bodies
When are the elementary bodies of Chlamydia present?
Infectious stage
Enter cell through endocytosis and inhibits phagosome function
When are the reticulate bodies of Chlamydia present?
Non infectious stage
Intracellular replication using nutrients form host cell
Name the 3 most important types of Chlamydia
- C. trachomatis
- C. penumoniae
- C. psittaci
What is C. trachomatis and what does it cause?
Most common form of STD
Infects epithelial cell fo mucous membrane s of urethra and vagina
Causes conjunctivitis (hand-to-eye transmission)
What is C. pneumoniae?
An atypical CAP pathogen
What does C. psittaci cause?
Severe pneumonia
Give the key features of spirochetes
Gram negative bacteria
Long, slender, helical and highly flexible
Most are free-living and on-pathogenic
How do spirochetes move?
In a corkscrew movement due to end-flaggelum between outer membrane and peptidoglycan
Name 3 spirochetes
- Borrelia burgdorferi - Lyme disease
- Leptospira interrogates - zoonosis
- Treponema pallidum - syphilis
What is Lyme disease and how does it spread?
Tick-bourne, 30-40 flagella
Causes bullseye rash and flu like symptoms
Infection spreads through extracellular matrix and move through the bloodstream and lymphatics to other organs
How do you get zoonosis and what are the symptoms?
Animal urine contact with mucous membrane
Flu like symptoms –> Weil’s disease (severe)
How many stages of syphilis are there?
3 stages - Primary, secondary and tertiary
What happens in the primary stage of syphilis?
Localised infection that is highly infectious
What happens in the secondary stage of syphilis?
Systemic infection (skin, lymph nodes, joints, vessels) Highly transmissible
What happens in the tertiary stage of Syphilis?
Granuloma in soft tissue leading to cardio and near syphilis
Occurs several years post-infection
Non-infectious form
How can you treat Syphilis?
Flucloxacillin
Give the key features of Fungi structure
Eukaryotic with chitinous cell wall
Moves through spore production - air and water Can be yeast or mould
What is yeast?
Small single celled organism that divides by budding
What is mould?
Forms multicellular hyphae and spores
Why can only certain types of fungi cause human infection?
Inability to grow at 37 degrees
Innate and adaptive immunity
Name the 3 main genera if human fungal infections
- Ascomycota
- Basidiomycota
- Mucormycota aka zygomycetes
Give some examples of fungi that are part of the Ascomycota genera
Aspergillus Pneumocystis Candida Fusarium Scedosporium Dermatophytes
Give some examples of fungi that are part of the Basidiomycota genera
Cryptococcus
Trichosporon
What 3 things can you do to diagnose fungal diseases?
- Microscopy and histology
- Culture
- Molecular methods and serology
What is the basis of good antimicrobial treatment for fungi diseases?
Inhibitory levels of agent at infection site without host cell toxicity
Drug should concentrate in target cell/target molecule not present in host
Name 2 fungal molecular characteristics
Hard to find - eukaryotes
Molecules
Name 4 fungal molecules
- Ergosterol (plasma membrane)
- Mannoproteins
- Glucan
- Chitin (cell wall)
Name 4 treatments that can used for fungal diseases
- Polyenes
- Allylamines
- Azoles
- Echinocandins
How do polyenes work against fungal diseases?
Fungicidal - pore formation in ergosterol cell membrane
Name a side effect of polyenes as treatment for final disease
Nephrotoxicity (affects cholesterol)
Name a polyene
Amphotericin
How do allylamines work to treat fungal diseases?
Fungicidal - inhibits ergosterol pathway step
Extensive distribution to skin (poorly perfused) - dermatophyte treatment
Name a Allylamine
Terbinafine
How do azoles work to treat fungal diseases?
Fungistatic - dose dependent ergosterol synthesis inhibitors
Name 4 long term side effect of using azoles to treat fungal disease
- Alopecia
- GI problems
- Hepatitis
- Resistance
Name 4 azoles and what they treat
- Fluconazole - candida, crypto coccus
- Itraconazole - degree of mould activity - aspergillum, fusarium and dimorphic (often used for dermatophytes)
- Voriconazole - improved activity against moulds - treats invasive aspergillosis
- Posaconazole - some activity against zygomycetes
How to echinocandins work to treat fungal diseases?
Inhibit gluten synthesis
Fungicidal (yeast)
Fungistatic (mould)
Why are echinocandins the treatment of choice in severe or resistant disease?
Few side effects or interactions
In what patients are you most likely to see Pneumocystis Pneumonia?
Immunocompromised - HIV, organ transplant, haematology
What do you use to treat Pneumocystis Pneumonia?
Co-trimoxazole
Define virus
An infectious, obligate intracellular parasite compromising genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat and /or a membrane
What is a virion?
A virus when it’s not inside an infected cell
Give the 3 key features of virion structure
- Lipid envelope with spike projections
- Protein cashed
- Nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) and vision associated polymerase
What shapes can viruses exist as?
Helical
Icosahedral
Complex
What size do human viruses range from and to?
20-260 nm in diameter
Name the 6 stages of viral replication
- Attachment
- Cell entry
- Interaction with host cell
- Replication
- Assembly
- Release
What happens in the first stage of viral replication (attachment)?
Cell/viral receptor interaction
E.g. gp120 and CD4 in HIV
What happens in the second stage of viral replication (cell entry)?
Central viral core (nucleic acid and proteins) enter cell
What makes up the central viral core?
Nucleic acid and proteins
What happens in the third stage of viral replication (interaction with host cell)?
Use cell material for replications and evade host defence
What happens in the fourth stage of viral replication (replication)?
New viral components produced in nucleus/cytoplasm
What does the translation of viral mRNA produce?
Structural proteins
Viral genome
Non-Structural proteins - e.g. enzymes
Where does the fifth stage of viral replication (assembly) occur?
Occurs in different places depending on the virus
Nucleus = Herpes
Cytoplasm = Poliovirus
Cell membrane = HIV
What happens in the last stage of viral replication (release)?
Cell lysis (rhinovirus) or exocytosis from cell (HIV and influenza)
Name 5 ways in which viruses can cause disease
- Direct host cell destruction
- Modification of host cell function/structure
- Over-reactive host response
- Cell proliferation and immortalisation
- Cell defence evasion
Name 3 viruses that use direct host cell destruction to cause viral disease
- Influenza
- Poliovirus
- HIV
Name 2 viruses that use Modification of host cell function/structure to cause viral disease
- HIV
2. Rotavirus
Name 2 viruses that use an over-reactive host response to cause viral disease
- Hep B and C
2. HIV
Name a virus that uses cell proliferation and immortalisation to cause viral disease
HPV
Name 3 ways in which cell defence evasion can be used to cause viral disease
- Cellular level
- Molecular level
- Host defence modulation
Name 2 ways of cellular level cell defence evasion that cause viral disease
Latency - Herpesviridae
Persistance - Measles
What are the benefits of persistence in causing viral disease?
Direct cell to cell spread
Avoids random release into environments
Spreads quicker
Avoids the immune system
Name 3 ways of Molecular level cell defence evasion that cause viral disease
- Antigenic variability - flu and HIV
- Presentation of host cell apoptosis - Herpesviridae
- Down-regulation of interferon and ochre intracellular host defence proteins
Explain the pathogenesis of the rotavirus infection
- Acid resistant rotavirus invades jejunal epithelial cells causing villi and microvilli atrophy
- SA and enzyme concentration is reduced
- No sugar absorption causing hyper-osmosis
- Diarrhoea occurs
Explain the pathogenesis of Hepatitis B infection
- HBV infection causes antibody and CTL response
- Hepatocyte destruction (liver damage) occurs
- Steady state reached between hepatocyte destruction and viral replication – no spread
Explain the pathogenesis of Cervical carcinoma development
- HPV infects suprabasal layer of genital tract and replicates as mucosal cells move up
- HPV and host cell genome integration causing Rb and p53 suppression (control growth and proliferation)
- Carcinogenesis occurs due to excessive cell growth and proliferation
Why is the range of clinical syndromes due to issues so large?
Viruses have:
Different host cell and tissues that they can infect
Different methods of interaction with the host cell
Define Infectivity
Ability to become established in host (adherence and immune evasion)
Define Virulence
Ability to cause disease when established
Define Invasiveness
Ability to penetrate mucous surfaces to reach sterile sites
Define Microbiome
Described the totality of microorganisms, their genetic elements and their environmental interaction in an environment
Why do viruses need rapid cell entry?
As free virus in the blood stream is easily neutralised by the immune response
Name 2 types of response to viral infection
- Humoral response
2. Cell mediated response
What antibodies are involved in the humeral response to viral infections and how do they respond?
IgA - blocks viral binding so unable to inject genetic material
IgM - aids agglutination
Complement and GB antibody - opsonisation and cell lysis and neutralise toxins
What cells are involved in the cell mediated response to viral infections and how do they respond?
Interferon - prevents infection in non infected cells through antiviral action (induces antiviral protein DAI on nearby non infected cells)
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes - directly kill infected cells
Natural killer cells and macrophages - activates antibody-dependent cell destruction
What is most viral infection cell damage caused by?
The immune response
Viruses may cause direct cell cytotoxicity. Name 4 examples
- Influenza virus to respiratory epithelium
- Varicella rooster virus to skin cells
- Yellow fever virus to liver cells
- HIV to CD4 T-cells
Name 4 ways in which viruses can cause host defence evasion
- Antigenic variation - rhinovirus, HIV, influenza
- HSV glycoprotein binds to C3b - inhibits classical and alternate complement
- Immune suppression - MMR, EBV, HIV
- EBV blocks action of DAI - Adenovirus
Why does influenza have antigenic variability?
Changes in haemagglutinin and Neuraminidase give coat variability
How can bacterial infections enter their host?
Through GI or GU tracts
Or skin/mucous membrane wounds
What response is initiated is the is a low number/virulence of bacteria?
Phagocytes are active
What response is initiated is the is a high number/virulence of bacteria?
Cell mediated immunity response
What response is initiated when extracellular bacteria is involved?
Antibody response
What response is initiated when intracellular bacteria is involved?
Cellular response
Name 3 ways in which bacteria compete with the host cell and colonising flora
- Sequestering nutrients
- Using novel metabolic pathways
- Out-competing other microorganisms
Name 2 types of bacterial colonisation factors
- Adhesins
2. Biofilms
How do adhesins help bacteria colonise?
Help bacteria bind to mucosal surfaces
Name 3 types of adhesins
- Fimbriae and pili filamentous proteins - E.g. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Lipid - E.g. lipid trichroic acid of Streptococcus pyogenes
- Glycosaminoglycans of Chlamydia sp.
How do biofilms help bacteria colonise?
Bacteria can stick together on a surface by secreting extracellular polymeric substance of protein, polysaccharides and DNA - help protect against antimicrobials
E.g. S. aureus and Streptococcus mutans
How are antibodies involved in the immune response against bacterial infections?
Antibodies - neutralise toxins and block host cell attachment (IgA)
Complement - cell lysis, opsonisation and proliferation prevention
Describe a delayed type 4 hypersensitivity reaction
Intracellular infection (TB) --> Tdth cells stimulated --> influx of inflammatory cells Second contact --> Tdth secretes IFN, TNF, IL --> macrophage recruitment Prolonged DTH = continuous macrophage activation --> granuloma formation --> lytic enzymes cause tissue damage
Name 5 ways in which bacterial infection evade host defences
- Resist phagocytosis - polysaccharide capsule, M protein, phagolysosome escape
- Protease lyses IgA
- Antigenic variation
- Pili = movement
- Adhesins
What immune response occurs when protozoa infections are in the blood?
Humoral immunity
What immune response occurs when protozoa infections are in the tissue?
Cell mediated immunity
Name 3 ways in which protozoa evade host defences
- Surface antigen variability
- Intracellular phase
- Shed outer coat
Immune response is not sufficient to kill worms. Name 3 other processes that occur that can kill worms
- IgE and IgG produced
- IL5 released - eosinophil production
- IL3 - mast cell growth
Eosinophil basic protein is toxic to worms
Name 2 ways in which worms evade host defences
- Decreased antigen expression by adult worms
2. Glycolipid/glycoprotein coat is hot derived so not perceived as foreign to the immune system
Give the key features of protozoa
Single cell eukaryotes
Membrane bound nucleus
Eat food by phagocytosis and digest it in intracellular vacuoles
Name the 4 types of protozoa
- Flagellates (flagella)
- Sporozoans (non-motile)
- Amoebae (pseudopodia)
- Ciliates (cilia)
Give 4 examples of flagellates protozoa
- Trypanosoma
- Trichromonas vaginalis
- Leishmania
- Giardia Lamblia
Give 2 examples of Sporozoans protozoa
- Plasmodium
2. Taxoplasma gondii
Give an example of Amboebae protozoa
Entamoeba histolytica
Give an example of Ciliates protozoa
Balatidium coli
Give the main features of Entamoeba histolytica
Amboebae protozoa
Faecal-oral transmission
Colonise in the gut in humans
Causes severe dysenteric illness
How does Entamoeba histolytica cause severe dysenteric illness and how is it treated?
Cysts ingested and travel to small intestine
Release trophozoites which go to large intestine
Local invasion of intestinal wall
Can spread through the blood to liver, brain and lungs
Treatment = Metronidazole
Name the 2 types of Trypanosomiasis
African - ‘sleeping sickness’
American - Chagas disease
Give the main features of African Trypanosomiasis (type of protozoa, cause by, found)
Flagellate protozoa
Caused by Trypanosoma Bruce gambiense (west/central) and rhodesiense (east)
Give the 5 symptoms African Trypanosomiasis
- Fever
- Headaches
- Extreme fatigue
- Joint pains
- CNS symptoms (personality change)
Give the main features of American Trypanosomiasis (type of protozoa, caused by, vector, found)
Flagellate protozoa
Caused by Trypanosoma cruzi
Vector = triatomine bug
Seen in Central/South America
Name 5 early symptoms and 3 late symptoms of American Trypanosomiasis
Early: 1. Fever 2. Headache 3. Lymphadenopathy 4. Chagoma 5. Romana's sign Late: 1. Cardiac manifestation 2. Megaoesophagus 3. Megacolon
Give the key features of Leishmaniasis (type of protozoa, caused by, vector..)
Flagellate protozoa Caused by Leishmania spp Vector = female sand fly Disease of poverty 3 types
Name the 3 types of Leishmaniasis protozoa and briefly describe each one
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis - ulcers on exposed parts of body, creates issues with social rejection and scarring
- Mucocutaneous - lesions that can cause destruction to mucous membranes o the nose, mouth and throat and can lead to recurrent pneumonia and sepsis
- Visceral - ‘Kala Azar’ - affects the internal organs, characterised by irregular bouts of fever, weight loss, swelling of spleen and liver and anaemia
Give the transmission, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Giardia lamblia
Flagellate protozoa
Faeco-oral transmission
Diagnosis by still microscopy
Treatment = metronidazole
Give the transmission, symptoms and treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis
Flagellate protozoa
Sexually transmitted
Usually asymptomatic but can have dysuria and yellow frothy discharge
Treatment = metronidazole
Which people are more prone to Balantidium coli and what symptoms do they acquire?
Ciliates protozoa
Mainly in the immunocompromised
Causes severe diarrhoea and/or ulceration of colon
Give the 4 key features of Sporozoans
No locomotory extension
All species are parasitic
Most are intracellular parasites
Reproduce by multiple fission
Give the key features of Cryptosporidiosis (type of protozoa, caused by, transmission, symptoms, diagnosis)
Sporozoan protozoa Caused by cryptosporidium spp Transmission via contaminated food/water Symptoms = watery diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and fatigue Oocytes seen in stool sample
Give the key features of Toxoplasmosis (type of protozoa, caused by, transmission, symptoms)
Sporozoan protozoa
Caused by toxoplasma gondii
Transmission via contaminated food/water or feline faeces
Can cause disseminated disease, toxoplasma encephalitis, chorizorentinitis
Name the 5 types of disease causing plasmodium (malaria)
- falciparum
- ovale
- vivax
- malariae
- knowlesi (rare)
Give 4 reasons why malaria is increasing worldwide
- Increasing resistance of parasite to antimalarials
- Increasing resistance of mosquito to insecticides
- Ecological and climate changes
- Increase travel to endemic areas
What is the vector of malaria?
Female anopheles mosquito around stagnant water
What are the 4 stages of a female anopheles mosquito?
- Human stage - exo-erythrocytic
- Hypnozoite stage (only in vale and vivax)
- Human Stage - endo-erythritic
- Mosquito (vector) stage
Briefly explain the exo-erythrocytic stage of the malaria lifecycle
- Mosquito injects sporozoites during feeding - infect liver hepatocytes
- Sporozoites replicate –> schizont formation
- Schizont ruptures –> merozoites enter bloodstream
Briefly explain the Hypnozoite stage of the malaria lifecycle
Only oval and vivax
Lie dormant in liver and reactivate week to years later
Explain the endo-erythrocytic stage of the malaria lifecycle
- Merozoites infect RBC –> immature trophozoites
- Immature trophozoites (ring) mature
- EITHER:
a) Trophozoite –> schizont formation –> ruptures and merozoites released infecting other RBCS
b) Trophozoite –> gametocyte –> ingested by mosquito during meal
Explain the mosquito (vector) stage of the malaria lifecycle
- Macrogametocyte –> ookinete –> oocyst
2. Oocyst ruptures releasing sporozoites which travel to salivary gland of mosquito
Which stage of the malaria lifecycle gives rise to the clinical manifestations?
Endo-erythrocytic stage
Name 7 clinical features of malaria
- Fever
- Chills and sweats
- Headache
- Myaligia
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
Why are clinical features seen?
Due to pro inflammatory cytokines (TNF and IL) being released when haemolysis occurs
Give 4 signs of malaria
- Anaemia
- Jaundice
- Hepatosplenomegaly
- Haemoglobinuria
How is malaria diagnosed?
Anaemia Low platelets Hyperbilirubinemia Thick and thin blood films - 3 times in 24 hours Light microscopy
Why are both a thick and thin blood film taken?
Thick = shows you malaria is present Thin = identification of morphological features - type, parasite count
How high does the parasite count have to be for malaria to be considered severe?
Above 2%
What is the treatment for Complicated falciparum malaria?
IV artesunate (quinine and doxycycline)
What is the treatment for Normal falciparum malaria?
Oral raiment OR oral quinine and doxycycline
What is the treatment for non-falciparum malaria?
Oral chloroquine
What other treatment should be provided with the vivid and oval strains of malaria and why?
Primaquine for hypnozoite clearance - gets rid of the dormant stage so there is no relapse
Name 6 types of extra treatment of malaria for supportive measures
- Cerebral: antiepileptics
- ARDS: oxygen, diuretics, ventilation
- Renal failure: fluids, dialysis
- Sepsis: broad spectrum antibiotics
- Bleeding/Anaemia: blood products
- Exchange transfusion if huge parasite burden
Which malaria strain causes the most malaria related deaths?
P. falciparum
Explain the pathophysiology behind P. falciparum
- Infected RBC’s display specific membrane proteins which can adhere to adhesion molecules expressed in small blood vessels (cytoadhereance) –> triggers coagulation by thrombin and increases vascular permeability
- Small vessels become obstructed by clumps of RBCs
What are the consequences of cytoadherence and accumulation of RBCs?
Blocks brain and lung microcirculation causing hypoxia in tissues and cause cerebral malaria
Give 6 clinical features seen in adults from P. falciparum
- Coma
- Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- Hypoglycaemia (especially in pregnancy)
- Renal failure
- Shock
- Blackwater fever
Give 6 clinical features seen in children from P. falciparum
- Tachypnoea
- Acidosis
- Anaemia
- Hypoglycaemia
- Raised intracranial pressure
- Convulsions (60-80%)
Give 2 definitions of antibiotic
Molecule that binds to bacteria target site and effects reactions critical to bacterial survival
Agents produced by microorganism that kill o inhibit the growth of other microorganisms in high dilution
What do antimicrobials include?
Antifungal Antibacterial Antihelminthic Antiprotozoal Antiviral
What parts of a cell can antibiotics act on?
Cell wall synthesis
Nucleic Acid synthesis
Protein synthesis
What do beta lactams act on?
They bind covalently to peptidoglycan PBP which inhibits cell wall synthesis leading to cell lysis
Name 4 groups of beta lactams
- Penicillins
- Cephalosporins
- Carbapenems
- Monobactams
How do antibiotics metronidazole and rifampicin work?
Interfere with nucleic acid synthesis and function
How do Fluoroquinolone antibiotics work?
Inhibit DNA gyrase
How do Sulphonamides and trimethoprim antibiotics work?
Inhibit folate synthesis and carbon unit metabolism
What types of antibiotics inhibit ribosomal activity and protein synthesis?
Macrolides Tetracyclines Aminoglycoside (gentamicin) Chloramphenicol Lincosamides
What do bacteriostatic antibiotics do?
Inhibit bacterial growth by inhibiting protein syntheses, DNA replication and metabolism
Also reduce exotoxin production and endotoxin surge less likely from gram -ve bacteria
What do bactericidal antibiotics do?
Inhibit cell wall synthesis causing death of bacteria
Are beta lactams bacteriostatic or bactericidal?
Bactericidal
When are bactericidal antibiotics very useful?
Poor tissue penetration (e.g. Endocarditis)
Difficult to treat infections (e.g. TB)
Need to eradicate infection quickly (e.g. meningitis)
What is required for a bacteriostatic antibiotics to work?
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) MIC:MBC ratio >4
What is required for bactericidal antibiotics to work?
Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC)
What are the major determinants of anti-bacterial effects?
Concentration of drug occupying binding sites
Time the antibiotic remains on binding site
What does concentration dependent killing depend on?
The height of concentration above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)
Peak concentration/MIC ratio
What does time dependent killing depend on?
On time the concentration stays above the minimum inhibitory concentration for
t>MIC
Give an example of an antibiotic group that uses concentration dependent killing
Aminoglycosides
Give 2 examples of a antibiotic groups that uses time dependent killing
Beta lactams
Macrolides
What does the antibiotic depend on to reach and stay at the site of bacterial infection?
Pharmacokinetics
Name 4 mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
- Change in antibiotic target
- Destroy or inactivate antibiotic
- Prevent antibiotic access
- Remove antibiotic from bacteria
Explain the change in antibiotic target mechanism of antibiotic resistance and give an example
Changes molecular configuration at antibiotic binding site or masks it
Flucloxacillin is no longer able to bind to PBP of Staphylococci in MRSA
Give 2 examples of the destroy/inactivate antibiotic mechanism of antibiotic resistance
- Beta lactamase hydrolyses beta lactam ring so it can no longer bind to PBP
- Staph producing penicillinase so penicillin but flucloxacillin is inactivated
Explain the preventing antibiotic access mechanism of antibiotic resistance
Modify membrane channels - size, number and selectivity
Give 2 examples of the preventing antibiotic access mechanism of antibiotic resistance
- Gram -ve bacteria against aminoglycosides
2. Pseudomonas aeruginosa against imipenem
Explain the removal of antibiotic from bacteria mechanism of antibiotic resistance and give an example
Export pumps remove the antibiotic so the level of antibiotic is reduced
- S. aureus and S. pneumoniae resistant to fluoroquinolones
- Enterobacteriaceae resistance to tetracyclines
By what 2 ways can antibiotic resistance develop?
- Intrinsic (naturally resistant)
2. Acquired
Give 3 examples of intrinsic antibiotic resistance development
- Gram -ve outer membrane can’t be penetrated by vancomycin
- Enterococci PBP are not effectively bound by cephalosporins
- Aerobic bacteria enable to reduce metronidazole to its active form
Name the 2 types of acquired antibiotic resistance that can occur
- Spontaneous mutation
2. Horizontal gene transfer
How can acquired spontaneous mutation antibiotic resistance come about?
- New nucleotide base pair
- Change in aa sequence
- Change to enzymes to cell structure
- Reduced affinity or activity of antibiotic
Cause altered enzyme function leading to reduced antibiotic effect
Give and briefly explain the 3 types of horizontal gene transfer antibiotic resistance
- Conjugation - sharing of extra-chromosomal DNA plasmids (‘bacteria sex’)
- Transduction - insertion of DNA by bacteriophages
- Transformation - bacteria takes up free DNA
Name 2 important gram +ve antibiotic resistant organisms
- Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
2. Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE)
How has MRSA gained antibiotic resistance?
- Staphylococcal cassette chromosome med (SSCmec) contains resistance gene mecA
- Encode penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) that does not bind to penicillin
- Confers resistance to beta lactam antibiotics as well as Methicillin
How has VRE gained antibiotic resistance?
Plasmid mediated acquisition of gene encoding altered aa on peptide chain preventing vancomycin binding
Promoted by cephalosporin use
Name 3 important gram -ve antibiotic resistant types
- b-lactamase enzymes hydrolysing penicillins
- Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL)
- AmpC b-lactamase resistance
Give 3 examples of b-lactamase enzymes hydrolysing penicillins
TEM-1 in E. coli, H. influenzae and N. gonorrhoea
SHV-1 in K. pneumoniae
CTX_M cephalosporinase in enterbacteriaceae
What, typically, are b-lactamase enzymes hydrolysing penicillins sill sensitive to?
Beta-lactamase inhibitors
What were formed to extend b-lactam resistance
Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) inhibitors due to a further mutation at active site
What can extended spectrum beta lactamase inhibitors destroy or inactivate?
Penicillin
Amoxycillin
Cephalosporins
Combination antibiotics
What is AmpC B-lactamase resistance?
Broad spectrum penicillin, cephalosporin and monobactam resistance
What are carbapenems?
Beta lactams that are highly resistant to beta lactamse or cephalosporins = last resort antibiotic
What can carbapenemases be produced by?
Carbapenemase reistant enterobacteria (CRE)
What type and part of bacteria do beta lactam antibiotics target?
Gram +ve bacteria
Cell wall killers - target their thick peptidoglycan layer
With what antibiotic are skin infections (Staph. aureus, Group A strep) treated?
Flucloxacillin (beta lactam)
With what antibiotic are chest infections (Strep. penumoniae) treated?
PO penicillin V or IV benzylpenicillin (beta lactams)
With what antibiotic are throat infections (Group A strep) treated?
PO penicillin V or IV benzylpenicillin (beta lactams)
What family of antibiotics doe cephalosporin belong to and when is it very useful to use?
Part of the beta lactam familiy
Good for people with a penicillin allergy
Better for more resistant bugs
Able to get to hard to reach places
Name 2 antibiotics that are glycopeptides
- Vanomyocin
2. Teicoplanin
What type of bacteria do glycopeptides act on and what do they treat?
Act on cell walls of gram +ve bacteria
Used to treat MRSA and used if someone has a penicillin allergy
Name 2 antibiotics that are marcolides
- Clarithromycin
2. Erythromycin
What type of bacteria do Macrolides act on and what do they treat?
Inhibit protein synthesis of gram +ve bacteria (S. aureus and beta haemolytic strep) and atypical pneumonias
Used to treat cellulitis (if penicillin allergy), MRSA and severe/atypical pneumonia
Name a Lincosamide antibiotic
Clindamycin
What type of bacteria do lincosamides act on and what are they used to treat?
Inhibit protein synthesis of gram +ve bacteria and anaerobes
Used to treat cellulitis (if pen allergy) and necrotising fasciitis
Name a tetracycline antibiotic
Doxycycline
What type of bacteria do tetracyclines act on and what are they used to treat?
Inhibit protein synthesis
Broad spectrum but mainly act on gram +ve
Used to treat cellulitis 9if pen allergy), chest infections and pneumonia
What types of infections are caused by gram -ve bacteria?
Urine infections (E. coli, Klebsiella sp, Proteus sp.) Gallbladder infections (E. coli, Klebsiella sp, Proteus sp.) Abdominal infections (E. coli, Klebsiella sp, Proteus sp.) Infectious diarrhoea (shigella, salmonella)
What type of bacteria does Gentamicin act on and what is it used to treat?
Gram -ve and staphs (used synergistically to treat streps)
Used to treat UTIs and in infective endocarditis (synergistically)
What is a disadvantage of Gentamicin?
Have to keep doing drug treating to ensure no nephrotoxicity
IV only
Give an example of a Quinolone antibiotic
Ciprofloxacin
What type of bacteria do Quinolone antibiotics act on and what is it used to treat?
Inhibit DNA synthesis of gram -ve bacteria
Used to treat UTIs, gallbladder and abdominal infections
What type of bacteria does Trimethoprim act on and what is it used to treat?
It’s a folate antagonist and is bored spectrum but is mainly used for gram -ve bacteria
Used in the treatment of UTIs
What type of bacteria does Nitrofurantoin act on and what is it used to treat?
Gram -ve and +ve bacteria
First line UTI treatment
Name 7 types of mycobacteria and what conditions they are associated with
- M. tuberculosis - TB
- M. leprae - Leprosy
- M. avian complex (MAC) - infection in AIDS and chronic lung disease
- M. kansaii - chronic lung infection
- M. marina - fish tank granuloma
- M. ulcerans - Buruli ulcer
- M. fortuitous complex - skin and soft tissue infections
Give the key features of mycobacteria
Aerobic Non-Motile Non spore forming Slow growing (15-20hrs) Phagosome reistant Acid fast bacillus Weakly gram +ve or colourless
What does the cell wall of mycobacteria contain?
Mycolic acids
Lipoarabinomannan
How does the show growing nature of mycobacteria effect growth and response in humans?
Slow reproduction
Slow growthin humans - gradual onset of disease
Slow growth in culture
Slow response to treatment - 6 months minimum
Why are mycobacteria resistant to gram stain?
The acid fast bacilli (AFB) have high lipid content with mycolic acids in the cell wall
What stain is used for mycobacteria?
Ziehl-Neelson
Explain how to do a ZIehl-Neelson stain
Carbol fuschin –> acid alcohol –> methylene blue
Need 10,000 AFB/ml
What is a positive result for acid fast bacilli?
Red/pink stain
Briefly explain the immunology of mycobacteria
- Phagocytosed by macrophage –> phagolysosome
- Withstand phagolysosomal killing and escape to the cytosol
- Hosts aim to kill AFB using microbicidal molecules and acidification aids digestion and degradation by proteases –> generation of antigens for presentation to T-cells (APC)
- CD4 T cells recognise APC –> generate IFN gamma –> activate intracellular killing by macrophages
- IL-12 released by macrophages which stimulates Th1 T cells and IFN gamma release
What causes susceptibility to mycobacterial infection?
Genetic defects in IFN-g or IL-12 receptors or elements of their signaling pathways result in susceptibility to mycobacterial infection
What is a granuloma(ta)?
Lesions that arise in a response that tried to contain mycobacteria (but also occurs in other infections and non-infectious processes)
How are granulomas formed in repose to mycobacteria?
Highly stimulated macrophages –> epithelioid cells –> fuse = Langhans giant cells
Central tissue necrosis by cytotoxic CD8 T cells –> caseating granuloma –> cavity in tissues (TB = lungs)
Name 2 types of leprosy
- Tuberculoid leprosy
2. Lepromatous leprosy
What immune response is associated with Tuberculoid leprosy?
Th 1 CD4 T-cell response –> IFN and TNF release
What does Tuberculoid leprosy cause?
Tissue hypersensitivity and granuloma leading to tissue damage
What immune response is associated with Lepromatous leprosy?
Th2 CD4 T-cell response –> IL 4, 5, and 10 release
What does Lepromatous leprosy cause?
Lesions full of bacilli and NO granuloma –> leads to skin lesions
What are the polar responses with gradation between Tuberculoid and Lepromatous leprosy characterised by?
Too much immune response and so tissue injury or too little response with uncontrolled tissue damage by bacilli
What is the treatment for mycobacteria?
Same as TB treatment - isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol
What happens in primary TB?
Bacilli taken into lymphatic to hilarious lymph nodes of the lungs
Briefly explain latent TB and what is seen with it
Cell mediated repose from T cell
primary infection contained but CMI persists
No clinical disease (normal CXR)
Detectable CMI to TB on tuberculin skin test
Briefly explain Pulmonary TB
- Granuloma forms around bacilli that had settled in apex
- In apex of lung there is more air and less blood supply (fewer defending white cell to fight)
- CMI and necrosis in results in abscess of bacilli forming and caseous material coughed up leaving cavity
When can pulmonary TB occur?
Can occur immediately following primary infections to after later reactivation
What is the primary complex of TB compose of?
Granuloma, lymphatics and lymph nodes
Where can TB spread to?
Genitourinary TB
Pleural TV
Bone and joint TB
TB meningitis
What is the purpose of the Lancefield test?
To distinguish between different types of Beta-haemolytic bacterias according to antigens on their cell wall
Where in the body would you find normal flora (commensals)?
Mouth Skin Vagina Urethra Large Intestine
Name 7 sterile sites of the body (no colonising organisms)?
Blood CSF Pleural fluid Peritoneal cavity Joints Urinary tract Lower respiratory tract
How could you detect whether an individual has had pervious exposure to TB?
- Tuberculin skin test (Mantoux)
2. Interferon gamma release assays
Between what temperatures and what pH range can bacteria grow?
-80 to +80 degree Celsius
pH 4 to 8
What are the 3 phases of bacterial growth?
- Lag phase
- Exponential phase
- Stationary phase
Give 2 functions of pili
- Hep adhere to cell surfaces
2. Plasmid exchange
What are plasmids?
Circular pieces of DNA that often carry genes for antibiotic resistance
How would you describe the arrangement of staphylococci?
Clusters of cocci
How would you describe the arrangement of streptococci?
Chains of cocci
Describe the pathogenesis of gastroenteritis
- Endocytosis
- Chemokine release
- Neutrophil recruitment and migration
- Neutrophil induced tissue injury
- Fluid and electrolyte loss –> diarrhoea
What are dimorphic fungi?
Fungi that can exist as both yeast and mould
These are yeast in tissues but mould in vitro
Give 4 disadvantages of azoles
- High first pass metabolism, bioavailability = 45%
- ADRs can cause hepatitis
- Drug interactions dur to CYP450
- Resistance can develop
What are he 5 ways in which viruses can evert host defences?
- Virus persistance or latency
- Down regulation of interferons
- Virus variability die to gene reassortment or mutation
- Prevention of host cell apoptosis
- Viral modulation of host defences
What are retroviruses?
Viruses that are enveloped
What genus does HIV belong to and what is the significance of this?
Lentiviruses - very slow with long incubation period
Where did HIV 1 and 2 arise from?
SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus)
HIV 1 originally from chimpanzees
HIV 2 originally from sooty mangabey
Name 3 HIV types
M (main) - split into clades
O (outlaying)
N (new)
Give the 4 key features of HIV 1 structure
- Envelope with gp120 and gp41 (gp160)
- Matrix and p17 protein
- Protein capsid and p24 - protein houses core enzymes
- Viral RNa, reverse transcriptase and intgerase
Name the 10 main stages of HIV replication
- Attachment
- Cell entry
- Uncoating
- Reverse transcription
- Genome integration
- Transcription of viral DNA
- Splicing of mRNA
- Translation into proteins
- Assembly
- Budding
Briefly describe HIV replication
- GP160 binds to CD4 receptors and CCR5 co-receptors
- Viral caspid, enzymes and nucleic acids are uncoated and released into the cell
- RNA is converted into DNA using reverse transcriptase
- Viral DNA is integrated into cellular (host) DNA by intergrase
- Viral DNA is transcribed into viral proteins
- Splicing of viral RNA and proteins occurs to for new virus
- New HIV cells ‘bud’ from CD4
Which enzyme is responsible for integrating HIV DNA into cellular DNA?
Integrase
Name 4 enzymes involved in HIV replication
- Reverse transcriptase
- Integrase
- RNA polymerase
- Proteases
What enzyme copies HIV RNA into DNA?
Reverse transcriptase
Which part of HIV enters the host cell following attachment?
Viral capsid enzymes and nucleic acids
What cells acts as host cells for HIV?
CD4+ cells
Macrophages and dendritic cells can also be invaded by HIV
Why might macrophages also be infected by HIV?
Also have CD4 and CCR5 receptors
Why are mutations common in HIV?
HIV replicates via reverse transcriptase and this process is prone to errors and mutations
Describe what happens when someone is initially infected with HIV
HIV enters via mucosa
Macrophages ingest HIV and presents an epitope of HIV to a T cell
HIV then infects the T cell
Infection spills into the blood stream – viraemia (exponential T cell infection rise)
What is the Humoral immune response to HIV?
Low number of neutralising antibodies due to viral genetic variability
What is the Cell mediated immune response to HIV
CD8 CTL’s cause early HIV number reduction - incomplete immune response
CD4 lymphocyte number reduced our to HIV infection - no proliferation
What is the affect of HIV infection on CD4 count?
Leads to uncontrolled CD4 activation and apoptosis so CD4 numbers decrease over time
HIV leads to immune dysfunction, how are the immune system cells affected?
- CD4 cells are excessively and inappropriately activated which then results in a decrease in the number and function of CD4 cells
- CD8 CTL’s have increased activations but decreased cytolytic and non-cytolytic function
- There is impaired IL-2 production
- B cells have increase activation but decrease proliferation so increased non-specific antibody production
- Decreased function of NK cells, neutrophils and macrophages
Name 4 sanctuary sites of HIV
- Genital tract
- GI tract
- CNS
- Bone marrow
Name 2 cell reservoirs of HIV
- Macrophages
2. Microglia
What are the markers for HIV in the blood?
Antigens
Antibodies
HIV RNA concentration (viral load)
What are the 4 main phases in the natural history of HIV?
- Acute primary infection
- Asymptomatic phase
- Early symptomatic HIV
- AIDS
What happens in the acute primary infection phase of HIV?
Transient fall in CD4+ count followed by a gradual rise
Also an acute rise in viral load
What signs and symptoms might you see when someone is in the acute primary infections phase of HIV?
Abrupt onset of non-specific symptoms - fever, rash, myalgia, weight loss, lethargy and depression
How long after infection do symptoms start occurring?
2-4 weeks
What happens in the asymptomatic phase of HIV?
Progressive loss of CD4+ T-cells occurs –> poor immunity
What signs and symptoms might you see when someone is in the asymptomatic phase of HIV?
Its is the latent phase so you rarely see symptoms
Sometimes enlarged lymph nodes are seen
What happens in the early symptomatic phase of HIV?
Manifestations of clinical features (HIV) occurs
What is the CD4+ count when someone is diagnosed with having AIDS?
CD4+ < 200
What is clinical latency?
Rise in CD4 numbers to begin then slow decline until person is immunocompromised enough to present with symptoms and opportunistic infections
What signs and symptoms might you see when someone is the early symptomatic phase of HIV?
Occur in association with many conditions – more frequent or severe with HIV:
Oral/vaginal candida: persistent/difficult to manage
Oral Hairy Leukoplakia
Persistent vernalised lymphadenopathy involving ≥ 2 episodes or multiple dermatomes
Cervical dysplasia
Cervical carcinoma-in-situ
Peripheral neuropathy
Bacillary angiomatosis
Immune-mediated Thrombocytopaenic Purpura (ITP)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Listeriosis
Constitutional symptoms (e.g. fever or diarrhoea > 1 month)
Name 3 respiratory diseases associated with HIV
- Bacterial (pneumococcal) pneumonia
- TB
- Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) - most common opportunistic infection
What are the characteristic symptoms fo pneumocystis pneumonia?
Decrease CD4+ count
Decreased O2 saturation on exertion
Decreased exercise tolerance
Name 3 CNS diseases associated with HIV
- Mass lesions e.g. primary CNS lymphoma, cerebral toxoplasmosis, tuberculoma
- Meningitis e.g. pneumococcal, cryptococcal, tuberculous
- Opthalmic lesions e.g. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, toxoplasmosis, choroidal tuberculosis etc
Name 3 neoplasms often associated with HIV
- Lymphoma - CD4 count <100
- Kaposi’s sarcoma
- Cervical neoplasia
What is Kaposi’s sarcoma?
A low grade vascular tumour caused by HHV-8
Where in the cell can HIV drugs target and how does this prevent HIV?
- Reverse transcriptase inhibitors - nucleoside and non-nucleoside
- Protease inhibitors - can’t repackage new viruses
- Fusion inhibitors - virus can’t get into CD4 cells
What does HAART stand for?
Highly active anti-retroviral treatment
What is HAART?
Antiretroviral treatment where 3 drugs are taken together - 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and 1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor OR 1 protease inhibitor
What is the aim of HAART treatment?
To reduce viral load and increase CD4+ count
Good compliance = good prognosis
When is HAART started?
When CD4 count is 200-350
How does HIV develops drug resistance?
- Non-adherence
2. Drug-drug interactions
What is HIV seroconversion?
A period of time during which HIV antibodies develop and become detectable
Generally takes place within a few weeks of initial infection
Name 3 types of people who are likely to rapidly progress and develop AIDS?
- Elderly people
- Children
- People with a high viral load
What is the UNAIDS goal by 2020?
90/90/90
90% diagnosed
90% on anti-retorviral treatment
90% viral suppression, undetectable viral load
What are the 3 HIV transmission routes?
- Blood
- Sexual
- Vertical (mother to child)
Name ways HIV transmission can be prevented
- Antiretroviral treatment
- Pre/post-exposure prophylaxis
- Behavioural
- STI control
- Vaccines
- Microbicides
- HIV diagnosis/partner notification
- Screen blood products/needle exchange
What does U=U mean?
Undetectable = Untransmittable
What behavioural modifications can be done in order to prevent HIV transmission?
Sex education, reduce frequency changing sexual partners, reduce high risk sexual practices and consistent condom use
Give 5 benefits to knowing your HIV status
- Access to appropriate treatment and care
- Reduce transmission by sexual and vertical means
- Reduction in morbidity and mortality
- Public health
- Cost effective - social care, working days off, benefits claimed, costs of onward transmission
What is targeted testing for HIV?
Clinician initiated diagnostic testing triggered by clinical indications
When is HIV screened for?
Clinician triggered tests
High risk groups
Patient requested
What are 4 risk factors for HIV?
- Sexual contact with high risk groups - MSM, IV drug users
- Multiple sexual partners
- Rape in high risk area
- Vertical transmission
Why is it bad to probe too deeply into a patients risk factors for HIV?
Patients may be unaware of their risk factors or may not want to admit them - can lead to alienation and decrease uptake of testing
How is HIV tested for?
Venous blood sampling
Salivary antigen screening tests
Point of care tests (pinprick of blood)
Home testing kits
Why is venous blood sampling the best method of testing for HIV?
Detectable after 4 weeks of infections
High sensitivity and specificity
What are some disadvantages to point of care tests?
Not as reliable
Lower sensitivity and specificity
What are 6 advantages to point of care testing?
- Outreach into community settings/ non-specialist clinics
- Increase patient choice
- Increased access to testing and case detection
- Earlier diagnosis in non-healthcare seeking individuals
- Reduce risk of complications
- Reduce transmission
If a HIV test comes back as negative what should the clinician then do?
Retest in high suspicion after the 8-week window
What is the window period?
Time between potential exposure to HIV infection and the point when the test will give you an accurate result - during this time a person can be infected but still test HIV negative
If a HIV test comes back positive what should happen?
Tell the patient and send another confirmatory blood sample to be tested
What are the 4 main problems that surround HIV treatment?
- Mainly transmitted by sexual intercourse so people don’t like to talk about it
- Period of latency means someone may infect others unwittingly
- HIV leads to a weakened immune system so there is a increased risk of infection
- HIV mutates a lot and so drug treatment is difficult
How would you define a ‘late diagnosis’ of HIV?
CD4+ count < 350
Why is bad to diagnose HIV late?
Associated with a 10 fold increase in risk of death in the first year of diagnosis
HIV RNA can be detected using RT-PCR. What is this useful for?
To quantify the amount of HIV RNA in the blood therefore can indicate disease progression and how well the individual is responding to antiretroviral therapy
Why do doctors not test for HIV?
They don’t think of HIV
Underestimate the risk of HIV in their patients
Failure to recognise HIV as a modifiable prognostic indicator
Misconception they need pre-test counselling
Misunderstanding of the implications for insurance etc. Fear of offending the patient
Name 5 groups fo people who are at high risk fo HIV infection?
- Homosexual men
- Heterosexual women
- Injecting drug users
- Sex workers
- Truck drivers
What are the 3 stages of the HIV epidemic?
- Nascent - <5% prevalence in risk group
- Concentrated - >5% prevalence in one or more risk groups
- Generalised - >5% prevalence in the general population
How can sexual transmission of HIV be reduced?
Condom use
Voluntary medical male circumcision
Why does voluntary medical male circumcision reduce sexual transmission fo HIV?
Male circumcision leads to a change in muscles
HIV is less able to penetrate due to an increase in keratinisation
How can HIV among young children be eliminated?
Reduce vertical transmission - Prevent breast feeding, giving lifelong antiretroviral treatments to the mother
What are the problems with trying to ensure everyone living with HIV has access to antiretroviral treatments?
- Lack of awareness
- Understaffed clinics
- Medication needs monitoring
- Cost
- Adherence
What is the percentage risk of MTCT of HIV for the following:
a) In a mother receiving anti-retroviral therapy and not breast feeding
b) In a mother not receiving anti-retroviral therapy and is breast feeding
a) <1%
b) 35%
CD4+ cells can differentiate into T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells. What is the function of TH1 cells?
Produce interleukins that help coordinate the immune response and activate macrophages and CD8+
CD4+ cells can differentiate into T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells. What is the function of TH2 cells?
Produce interleukins that help B cells produce immunoglobulins
What is PCR?
PCR amplifies DNA rot generate millions of copies of a particular DNA sequences
Specimen is mixed with nucleotides, primers and DNA polymerase
What laboratory method can be used to detect viral pathogens?
PCR
What can qPCR detect?
- The presence or absence of DNA/RNA
2. Can quantify the level of virus in a tissue
What virus causes chicken pox?
Varicella zoster viral infection
What virus causes Shingles?
Varicella zoster viral infection
What are the primary and secondary infections of Varicella zoster viral infection?
Primary = Chickenpox (Varicella) Secondary = Singles (Herpes Zoster)
What is the course of the varicella zoster viral infection?
- Enters body by mucous membrane
- 7-21 day asymptomatic incubation period
- High infectivity 2 days before/after rash appears - nasopahryngeal viral replication so pass circus on when cough/sneeze
Give the key features of the primary infection of varicella zoster viral infection
Common in children
Highly contagious
Usually benign
What are the high risk groups fo people for complications with Chicken pox
- Immunocompromised
- Adults
- Infants
- Pregnancy
- Smokers
Briefly explain the crust formation of chicken pox
- Macule (see but can’t feel)
- Papule (see and feel)
- Vesicle (blister)
- Pustule (WBC response)
- Crust (dried pustule)
What is the rash distribution of chicken pox?
Concurrent different stage lesions
Centrally distributed
Likes to multiply and divide in warm areas of the body
What is essential to know when diagnosing chicken pox?
- Age
- Onset of rash
- Contacts
- High risk complication factors - immunosuppressed, pregnant etc.
How do you confirm the diagnosis of varicella zoster viral infection?
Pop the lesion with a sterile needle
Absorb vesicle contents onto swab
Send swab for VZH?HSV test
What are the complications associated with chicken pox?
Dehydration GHaemorrhagic change if immunocompromised Ataxia Encephalitis Chickenpox pneumonia Infections
What is foetal varicella syndrome?
Where the foetus has been infected with varicella - usually transient and asymptomatic
What are the potential severe defects associated with foetal varicella syndrome?
Cicatricial skin scarring
Limb hypoplasia
Visceral and ocular lesion
Microcephaly and growth retardation
What is the usual outcome if the foetus is infected with varicella?
Gets shingles within the first year of life
Explain the pathophysiology of shingles
Primary infection = widespread chickenpox
VZV moves down sensory neurones
Dormant in dorsal root o =r cerebral ganglion
Reduced immune system
Localised reactivation = shingles
Affects dermatome
What are the main features of shingles?
Common in the elderly
Thoracic region most commonly involved (50-70%)
Cervical, lumbar and sacral dermatomes less frequently involved
Nose tip lesion (affects ophthalmic division of trigeminal nerve)
What are the consequences of influenza A infection?
Increased risk of ARDS and secondary bacterial pneumonia
Chains of purple cocci are seen on a gram film. They show alpha haemolysis when grown on blood agar. They don’t grow near the optochin disc. These are probably
a. Streptococcus pneumoniae
b. Staphylococcus epidermidis
c. Viridans Streptococci
d. Group A streptococci (S. pyogenes)
e. Neisseria meningitidis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Which of these is a gram negative bacillus that ferments lactose?
a. Shigella sonnei
b. Listeria monocytogenes
c. Neisseria meningitidis
d. Eschericia coli
e. Streptococcus pyogenes
Eschericia coli
Which is incorrect? Haemophilus influenzae is an important cause of
a. Meningitis in pre-school children
b. Otitis media
c. Pharyngitis
d. Gastroenteritis
e. Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Gastroenteritis
Which is a normally sterile site?
a. The pharynx
b. The urethra
c. Cerebrospinal fluid
d. The lung
e. Skin
CSF
Which of these is NOT a means by which viruses cause disease?
a. Direct destruction of host cells
b. Cell proliferation and cell immortalisation
c. Inducing immune system mediated damage
d. Endotoxin production
e. Modification of host cell structure or function
Endotoxin production
When diagnosing viral infections which is not true?
a. The sample must come from a sterile site
b. Electron microscopy is rarely used
c. Use a green swab not a black swab
d. PCR results take 1-2 days
e. A detectable IgM in serum may be diagnostic
The sample must come from a sterile site
Which is most accurate? The HIV virus envelope contains
a. RNA + capsid + DNA polymerase
b. DNA + capsid + Reverse transcriptase
c. DNA + p24 + protease
d. RNA + capsid + reverse transcriptase
RNA + capsid + reverse transcriptase
Which pair is correct?
a. Pityriasis versicolor = bacterium
b. Ringworm = helminth
c. Aspergillus fumigatus = mycobacterium
d. Falciparum malariae = fungal
e. Giardia lamblia = protozoal
Giardia lamblia = protozoal
Mycobacteria. Which is not a feature?
a. Resistance to destaining by acid and alcohol
b. Cell wall contains lipoarabinomannan
c. They only divide every 20 hours
d. They cannot withstand phagolysosomal killing
e. May cause meningitis
They cannot withstand phagolysosomal killing
Regarding antimicrobial resistance, which is true?
a. it is spread by plasmid mediate gene transfer
b. spontaneous gene mutations do not occur
c. MRSA refers to vancomycin resistant S. aureus
d. Only Mereopenem is effective against all gram-negative bacteria
it is spread by plasmid mediate gene transfer
A 21 year old complains of myalgia, sore throat and tiredness. He is febrile and has an enlarged spleen. Which is the best answer?
a. He has sepsis and needs broad spectrum antimicrobial therapy with cefotaxime
b. A charcoal throat swab will confirm the diagnosis
c. Finding atypical lymphocytes on a blood film and a positive EBV IgM in serum would be consistent
d. PCR on a viral throat swab will confirm the diagnosis
e. This is a viral upper respiratory tract infection and doesn’t warrant investigation or antimicrobial therapy
Finding atypical lymphocytes on a blood film and a positive EBV IgM in serum would be consistent
A 34 year old gay man who has had prolonged diarrhoea now presents short of breath with a dry cough and hypoxia. Which is most accurate?
a. This is bacterial pneumonia caused by pneumocysitis jirovecii.
b. It is too early for a 4th generation HIV test to be positive
c. The CD4 T cell count will be between 500 and 750
d. Even if the HIV test is negative this man has AIDS
e. With appropriate therapy he has a good prognosis
With appropriate therapy he has a good prognosis
Which of these does NOT feature in the definition of Sepsis?
a. Temperature >38.3oC or <36oC
b. Heart rate >90
c. Systolic blood pressure >130
d. White Cell count >12
e. Hypoxia
Systolic blood pressure >130
Infection control: which is false? The five steps of hand hygiene are to wash hands
a. Before contact with patient
b. Before bodily fluid exposure
c. Before aseptic procedures
d. After contact with patient surroundings
e. After patient contact
Before bodily fluid exposure
What are the 3 main groups of helminths?
- Nematodes (roundworms)
- Trematodes (flatworms)
- Cestodes (tapeworms)
What is the pre-patent period for a helminth infection?
Interval between infection and the appearance of eggs in the stool
What type of blood cell would have a raised count in a helminth infection?
Eosinophils - associated wit parasitic infection and helminths are parasitic worms
How are intestinal nematodes (roundworms) often diagnosed?
Stool microscopy looking for eggs
How are intestinal nematodes spread?
Transmission from human to human via eggs or larvae
What do helminths develop?
Have both endo and exo human development stages
Adult worms cannot usually reproduce without a period of development outside of the body
What are the signs and symptoms of ascaris lumbricoides infection?
Loeffler’s syndrome - larval migration to lungs results in cough, fever and cheese
Often infection can be asymptomatic otherwise mechanical (bile duct obstruction –> malnutrition)
Give the key features of a ascaris lumbricoide worm?
15-30 cm roundworm found mainly in tropic children
PPP = 60-75 days
Largest and most common
Briefly describe the lifecycle of a ascaris lumbricoide
- Female lays eggs in small intestine – 200,000 a day
- Eggs excreted in faeces and ingested –> hatch in small intestine
- Immature larvae invade mucosa –> migrate to lungs via venous return
- Juveniles break into alveoli + move up trachea-bronchial tree
- Larvae swallowed –> return to small intestine 14 days post-infection
What are the signs and symptoms of hookworm infection?
Local dermatitis at the site of entry
Iron deficiency anaemia
What are the signs and symptoms of threadworm infection?
Pruritus ani
How would you diagnose threadworm infection?
Apply sellotape to the perianal area and then look for eggs under a microscope
What are the signs and symptoms of strongloides stercoralis?
Pruritus
Pulmonary symptoms
Gut symptoms
Larva currens (skin rashes)
Why can the symptoms of strongloides stercoralis persist for years?
Associated with auto infection and an immunocompromised state
What are the signs and symptoms of Tania saginatum infection?
Known as the beef tapeworm
Abdominal pain is a likely symptom
What are the signs and symptoms of Tania solium infection?
Known as the pork tapeworm
Skin, muscle and the brain can be affects
Patient may suffer from fits
What is ringworm?
A fungal infection that can cause an itchy, red, scaly, circular rash
Is ringworm a helminth?
No, it is fungal
Name 3 techniques used in serology to detect viral and bacterial infections
- Complement fixation test (CFT)
- Haemagglutination/haemagglutination inhibitor (HA/HAI)
- Enzymes linked immunosorbent assay (ELIZA)
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA)
- Immunofluorescence (IF)
Name 2 tests that can be done to detect a viral pathogen
- PCR
- Electron microscopy
- Cytopathic effect (CPE) on cell culture
Give an advantage of EM and Cell cultures for virus detection
‘Catch all’ techniques
Give 2 disadvantages of EM and cell cultures for virus detection
- Depends on skill of user of microscope
- Time consuming (culture take 2-4 weeks)
- Expensive