microbiology Flashcards
6 main bacterial causes of meningitis (and age groups for some)
streptococcus pneumoniae
neisseria meningitidis
heamophilus influenzae (infants - but vaccine)
listeria (neonates and elderly)
group B streptococcus -agalacticae (neonates)
e.coli (neonates)
but the age allocations are not strict
what does streptococcus pneumoniae look like in microscope
gram + diplococci
what is streptococcus pneumoniae like on blood agar
alpha hemolytic (partially hemolytic – green)
what is the relation between streptococcus pneumoniae and optochin discs
step. pneu is optochin sensitive
what does neisseria meningitidis look like in microscope
gram - diplococci
gram - diplococci =
neisseria meningitidis
gram + diplococci =
streptococcus pneumoniae
gram - cocci-bacillus
haemophilus influenzae
what does haemophilus influenzae look like in microscop
gram - cocci-bacillus
e. coli in microscope
gram negative bacilli
litseria in microscope
gram + bacilli
haemophilus influenzae on blood and choc agar?
doesnt grow on blood but does on choc (it is fussy and choc gives it better stoof)
can both bacteria and virus causes meningitis
yes
can both baceria and virus cause encephalitis
no. only virus
list 3 viruses that causes meningitis
mumps
enterovirus
herpes simplex virus
polio
echo
list 3 viruses that cause encephalitis
herpes simplex virus = most common
varicella zoster = 2nd most common
parvovirus HIV mumps measles CMV EBV
CSF is used for meningitis (/ encephalitis) investigation as this is a CNS infection. how is this obtained? what is the macroscopic appearance? then what?
lumbar puncture
should be gin-clear. cloudy = white blood cells and already –> memingitis!
then cultured + gram film
what are the treatments for meningitis
main= antibiotic from cephlasporin group (from beta lactan group) – cefotaxime or ceftriaxone
also - amoxicllin (a penicillin ) for listeria
they can both cross the blood brain barrier
what are the signs in CSF analysis (not microscope) of bacterial infection
neutrophils
raised protein and low glucose (due to bacteria and neutrophils)
meningitis triad of symptoms
photophobia
neck stiffness
headache
what other non-antibiotic treatment is given with meningitis
anti inflammatories – corticosteroids (dexamethosone) and NSAIDs. these dampen immune system so decrease risk of nerve damage
also analgesia
also fluids
blood agar hemolysis
when would this be useful to identify bacteria?
alpha hemolysis - partial hemolysis, - not fully transparant, green/grey (due to hydrogen peroxide produced by bacteria)
beta hemolysis - full hemolysis (rbc burst open) - transparent/ clear
non hemolytic
this is useful to distinguish gram + cocci chains (all catalase negative. all streptococci)
lancefield test
how is it done
what does it distinguish between
colonies in water + some antibody coated latex beads from a kit
between B hemolytic bacteria in streptococci group (gram + clusters - = all catalase negative)
two types of neisseria and their effect
gonococcal –> urethritis
meningococcus –> meningitis