Microbiology and Infectious Disease Flashcards

1
Q

define pathogen

A

an organism that is capable of causing disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

define commensal

A

organism which colonises the host but does not cause disease in normal circumstances

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

define opportunist pathogen

A

microbe that only causes disease if host defences are compromised

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

define virulence/pathogenicity

A

the degree to which a given organism is pathogenic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

define asymptomatic carriage

A

when a pathogen is carried harmlessly at a tissue site where it causes no disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

describe the structure of a Gram negative bacterial cell envelope

A
inner cell membrane,
thin peptidoglycan layer,
outer cell membrane,
lipopolysaccharide layer,
outer capsule.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

describe the structure of a Gram positive bacterial cell envelope

A

thick layer of peptidoglycan between the outer capsule + inner cell membrane.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what is a bacterial endotoxin? describe features

A

a component of the cell wall that is released when the bacteria is damaged.
less specific actions than an exotoxin e.g. septic shock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is a bacterial exotoxin? describe features

A

mainly excreted by Gram +ve bacteria. actively secreted toxins with specific actions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

how might bacterial genes be transferred between bacteria?

A

transformation e.g. via plasmid.
transduction e.g. via phage.
conjugation e.g. via sex pilus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

describe the process of Gram staining

A
  1. heat fix sample to slide
  2. add methyl violet (blue/purple)
  3. add iodine - fixes methyl violet to gram +ve samples
  4. add alcohol to decolorize Gram -ve samples
  5. counterstain with basic fuchsin (red)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is the normal habitat of staphylococcus spp?

A

nose and skin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

how is S aureus spread?

A

aerosol and touch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what agar is used to grow enterobacteria?

A

MacConkey - bile salts, lactose, pH indicator

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How do you distinguish Salmonella/Shigella from E coli on a MacConkey-lactose agar?

A
E.coli = pink, as it is lactose fermenting
Shigella/salmonella = yellow, non-lactose fermenting
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

how would you distinguish between Salmonella and Shigella?

A

serology, as both are non-lactose fermenting so appear the same on MacConkey agar

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what are the main infections caused by pathogenic E coli strains?

A
wound infections (surgical).
UTIs.
gastroenteritis.
travellers' diarrhoea.
bacteraemia.
meningitis.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what 3 infections are caused by salmonella?

A
  1. gastroenteritis - food poisoning (localised infection)
  2. enteric fever - typhoid (systemic infection)
  3. bacteraemia - uncommon
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what agar must H influenzae be grown on and why?

A

fastidious - requires haem and NAD - will not grow on blood agar, only chocolate agar (blood agar that has been heated so haem and NAD are released by RBCs).
non-motile.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

describe the main features of Legionella pneumophila and Legionnaires’ disease

A

seen in immunocompromised (elderly, alcoholics, smokers).
severe.
culture on charcoal agar.
found in man-made aquatic environments - replicates within freshwater protozoa.
can infect alveolar macrophages.
induces phagocytosis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

what are the clinical features of an infection with campylobacter?

A

mild to severe diarrhoea, often with blood.
self-limiting (up to 1 wk).
campylobacter shed in faeces for 3wks.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

describe the features of bacteroides? where are they typically found as commensals?

A

non-motile rods.
strict anaerobes.
commensal flora of large intestine (also commensal in vagina/cervix).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what shape are bacteroides?

A

bacilli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

what shape are spirochaetes?

A

spiral/helical

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

describe the cell wall of fungi and how it stains?

A

rigid. polysaccharides and chitin.
stain with Gomorra methenamine silver, and periodic acid-Schiff.
lack a capsule.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

describe the features of yeasts

A

unicellular.
round/oval.
asexual - reproduce by budding.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

what are dimorphic fungi?

A

fungi which grow as yeasts in tissue, but as moulds in-vitro.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

describe the features of moulds

A

composed of tubular structures (hyphae).
grow by longitudinal extension and branching - interwoven mycelium.
reproduce by spore formation (sexual/asexual).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

what type of fungi is candida albicans?

A

yeast

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

give some examples of moulds

A

aspergillus spp.,
fusarium spp.
mucoraceous moulds.
dark-walled fungi.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

what are the 3 types of fungal infection?

A
  1. superficial mycoses
  2. subcutaneous mycoses
  3. systemic mycoses
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

name some common sites for superficial mycoses

A

skin, hair, nails, mucous membranes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

what are the two main kinds of infection seen in superficial mycoses?

A

ringworm.

yeast infections.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

what pathogens cause ringworm (dermatophytosis, tinea - athletes foot, swimmers crotch etc)?

A

tricophyton spp.
microsporum spp.
epidermophyton spp.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

describe the transmission of ringworm infections

A

direct or indirect transfer of infected keratin - e.g. communal bathing facilities.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

describe the different types of aspergillus infection

A
  1. invasive aspergillosis - neutropaenic patients. treat with amphotericin.
  2. allergic aspergillosis - ABPA
  3. aspergilloma - fungus ball in pre-existing cavity of lung.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

describe the basic idea behind the treatment of fungal infections, and give examples of drugs used.

A
use drugs that target sterols in their cell membranes.
topical - nystatin, ketoconazole.
systemic:
oral - fluconazole/other azoles
parenteral - amphotericin.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

give some examples of mycobacteria of medical importance, and the diseases they cause

A
M. tuberculosis = TB
M. leprae = leprosy
M. kansaii = chronic lung infection
M. marinum = fish tank granuloma
M. ulcerans = buruli ulcer
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

why will immunocompromised patients show disseminated mycobacterial disease, instead of characteristic granulomas?

A

they don’t have enough T cell function to form granulomatas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

describe the microbiological features of mycobacteria

A

aerobic, non-spore forming, non-motile bacilli.
cell walls contain a lot of high molecular weight lipids - weakly gram-positive/colourless.
slow growing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

what does the thick lipid coating of mycobacteria allow them to do?

A

survive inside macrophages, even in low pH environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

what are the key cell wall components of mycobacteria?

A

mycolic acids.

lipoarabinomannan

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

describe Koch’s postulates for a disease to be defined as caused by bacteria (/mycobacteria etc)

A
  1. bacteria should be found in all people with disease
  2. bacteria should be isolated from infected lesions
  3. a pure culture inoculated into a susceptible person should produce disease symptoms
  4. same bacteria should then be isolated from that individual
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

what stain is used for mycobacteria and why?

A

Ziehl-Neelsen stain for acid fast bacilli - high lipid content in cell wall makes mycobacteria resistant to Gram stain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

what type of granuloma is typically seen in TB?

A

caseating

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

what are the main principles of mycobacterial treatment?

A
  1. slowly replicating bacteria - so need prolonged treatment
  2. multiple drug combinations to combat resistance
  3. compliance is essential - directly observe therapy used
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

describe the standard drug regime for tuberculosis

A

isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol for 2mths.
then isoniazid and rifampicin for 4 further months.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

what makes up the primary complex of primary TB?

A

granuloma + lymphatics + lymph node

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

where in the lung are tuberculosis bacilli most likely to form a granuloma and why?

A

apex - there is more air and less blood supply, so fewer defending WBCs to fight

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

what is latent TB?

A

cell-mediated immune response from T cells manages to contain primary infection, but it persists.
no clinical disease (normal CXR).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

what is pulmonary TB?

A

follows after primary disease, or after latent reactivation.

necrosis in lesion. caseous material coughed up, leaving cavity. TB may spread in lung causing other lesions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

where, apart from the lungs, may TB spread?

A
GU TB
peritoneal TB
TB meningitis
widespread = miliary TB.
pleural TB
bone and joint TB
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

what are the three groups of helminths?

A
  1. nematodes (round worms)
  2. trematodes (flatworms, flukes)
  3. cestodes (tapeworms)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

what do adult worms need before they can reproduce?

A

a period of development outside the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

what is the “pre-patent” period in relation to helminth disease?

A

the interval between infection and the appearance of eggs in the stool

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

how are intestinal nematodes transmitted?

A

faecal-oral route.

transmitted from person to person via eggs/larvae - these are only infectious after a period of development in the soil.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

what organism causes pinworm/threadworm? what is the pre-patent period?

A

enterobius vermicularis
40d.
v common in UK!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

describe the lifecycle of enterobius vermicularis (pinworm/threadworm)

A
  1. adult is resident in large bowel
  2. female emerges from anus at night to lay eggs on perineum
  3. eggs are infectious after 4hrs, ingested by next host
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

what are the clinical features of pinworm/threadworm?

A
  1. pruritis ani
  2. appendicitis
  3. vaginal penetration - endometriosis, salpingitis, infertility
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

how would you diagnose pinworm/threadworm?

A

microscopy of sellotape strip from perianal region

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

what is the general way to diagnose worms?

A

stool microscopy for eggs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

what drug is used to treat a lot of worm infections? available in pharmacies for threadworm

A

Mebendazole

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

what causes schistosomiasis?

A

Schistosoma - an adult fluke. penetrate skin while swimming, mature in abdominal cavity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

what is schistosomiasis (katayama fever)? what are the clinical features?

A

initial immune-complex mediated illness 2-4wks after exposure.
fever; urticaria; eosinophilia; diarrhoea; hepatomegaly; splenomegaly; cough and wheeze; cachexia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

what are protozoa?

A

single-celled eukaryotes.

consume bacteria, algae, microfungi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

what are the two main stages in the general life cycle of protozoa?

A

proliferative TROPHOZOITE stage - feed and reproduce.

dormant CYST stage - can survive outside host.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

what are the 5 major groups that protozoa are divided into?

A
  1. flagellates
  2. amoebae
  3. cilliates
  4. microsporidia
  5. sporozoa
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

what are the 4 species of plasmodia that cause human disease?

A

P. falciparum
P. ovale
P. vivax
P. malariae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

how is malaria transmitted?

A

bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

how does the Anopheles mosquito become affected?

A

feeding from infected human. then they are infected for life (3-4wks). night-biting. bite indoors. lifecycle depends on water (to lay eggs)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

describe the basic stages of the plasmodia lifecycle

A

in human host has exo-erythrotic cycle (in liver), and erythrotic cycle (in blood). (P ovale/vivax also have hypnozoite stage - lie dormant).
matures in RBCs.
taken up from blood into female anopheles - sporogonic cycle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

describe the pathogenesis of falciparum malaria

A

fatal.
parasite matures in RBCs - ‘knobs’ on RBC surface.
bind to receptors on endothelial cells in capillaries + venules.
sequestration in small vessels.
obstruction of microcirculation - tissue hypoxia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

what are the acute clinical features common to all 4 species of malaria?

A

FEVER.
chills and sweats; headache; myalgia; fatigue; nausea and vomiting; diarrhoea.
anaemia; jaundice; hepatosplenomegaly; ‘black water fever’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

describe the clinical features of P falciparum malaria in adults

A

coma; ARDS; hypoglycaemia; renal failure (hypovolaemia, microvascular blockade).
SHOCK.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
75
Q

describe the clinical features of P falciparum malaria in children

A

non-specific - stop crying/playing/eating.
tachypnoea.
anaemia.
hypoglycaemia.
cerebral malaria can cause encephalopathy/coma - raised ICP, varied presentation - rule out meningitis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
76
Q

how is malaria diagnosed?

A

thick AND thin blood films - 3 separate films at different times of day, examined under light microscopy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
77
Q

how do you treat complicated falciparum malaria?

A

IV artesunate or IV quinine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
78
Q

how do you treat uncomplicated falciparum malaria?

A

oral riamet or oral quinine (±doxycycline)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
79
Q

how do you treat non-falciparum malaria?

A

oral chloroquine

80
Q

describe the stages of viral replication

A
  1. attachement
  2. cell entry - only viral ‘core’ enters host cytoplasm
  3. interaction with host cells - use cell materials for their replication etc
  4. replication
  5. assembly - may occur in nucleus/cytoplasm or at cell membrane
  6. release - by lysis of cell, or by exocytosis
81
Q

list the different ways in which viruses can cause disease

A
  1. direct destruction of host cells
  2. modification of host cell structure/function
  3. immuno-pathological damage
  4. damage through cell proliferation/immortalisation
  5. evasion of host defences
82
Q

what determines the defence mechanism employed against bacterial infection?

A

no. organisms/virulence.
low = phagocytes active
high = immune response

83
Q

what types of immunoglobulin are produced in response to worm infection?

A

IgG and IgE

84
Q

what is the most widely used antiviral agent? what is it’s mode of action?

A

aciclovir

nucleoside analogue

85
Q

how do nucleoside analogue antiviral agents work?

A

phosphorylated within cells to an active triphosphate and inhibit viral DNA synthesis

86
Q

what is septicaemia?

A

“blood poisoning” - when an infection is found in the circulating blood

87
Q

what are “notifiable diseases”? who should be notified?

A

diseases/infections/conditions that are specifically listed as notifiable.
local health authorities/Public Health England

88
Q

define “anti-microbial”

A

agents produced by microorganisms that kill or inhibit the growth of other micro-organisms in high-dilution

89
Q

what is the target site of beta lactams?

A

cell wall - inhibition of cell wall synthesis.

include penicillins, carbapenems and cephalosporins

90
Q

give examples of antibiotics that work by interference with nucleic acid synthesis/function

A

metronidazole

rifampicin

91
Q

how do metronidazole/rifampicin work?

A

interfere with nucleic acid synthesis or function

92
Q

how do fluoroquinolones work?

A

inhibit DNA gyrase

93
Q

what types of antibiotics work by inhibiting ribosomal activity and protein synthesis?

A

aminoglycosides.
tetracyclines.
macrolides.
chloramphenicol.

94
Q

what is the difference between bacteriostatic and bactericidal bacteria?

A
bacteriostatic = prevent growth of bacteria.
bactericial = kills the bacteria
95
Q

what are the two major determinants of anti bacterial effect

A

concentration and time that the antimicrobial remains on binding sites

96
Q

what antibiotics put the patient at risk of C diff? (the 5Cs of C diff)

A

Ciprofloxacin; Clindamycin; Cephalosporins; Co-amoxiclav; Carbapenems

97
Q

what are 4 ways a bacteria may resist an antimicrobial?

A
  1. target site mutation
  2. destruction/inactivation of antimicrobial
  3. prevent antimicrobial access
  4. remove antimicrobial from bacteria
98
Q

how does beta lactamase confer resistance to penicillins and cephalosporins?

A

beta lactam ring is hydrolysed by this bacterial enzyme. antimicrobial is now unable to bind to the bacteria.

99
Q

give some examples of carbapenems and their uses

A

imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem.

broad spectrum - severe hospital acquired infections.

100
Q

give some examples of cephalosporins

A

cefradine
cefuroxime
cefotaxime

101
Q

give examples of glycopeptides, and how they are used

A

vancomycin , teicoplanin.
gram +ve agents.
IV only.
reserved for serious/resistant gram +ve, e.g. MRSA

102
Q

how does chloramphenicol work? how is it used?

A

it’s a protein synthesis inhibitor.
very broad spectrum (except pseudomonas).
toxicity - little used today.

103
Q

give examples of macrolides, and what they are used for

A

erythromycin, clarithromycin.

good for staph/strep. alternatives to penicillins. no gram-ve cover.

104
Q

what type of antibiotic is clindamycin? what is it used for?

A

lincosamides.

active against staph, strep and anaerobes

105
Q

give examples of aminoglycosides and what they are used for

A

gentamicin, tobramycin.

enterobacteriaceae, pseudomonas and staphylococci.

106
Q

what type of antibiotic is ciprofloxacin? what is it used for?

A

quinolones.

used against enterobacteriaceae, pseudomonas and staph.

107
Q

what types of organism is metronidazole active against?

A

anaerobic.

bacteria and protozoa.

108
Q

what does the catalase test differentiate between?

A

staphylococci - catalase +ve

strep and enterococci - catalase -ve

109
Q

what does the coagulase test differentiate between?

A

staph areus - coagulase +ve

other staph - coagulase -ve

110
Q

is staph aureus coagulase negative or positive?

A

positive

111
Q

what does the oxidase test aim to identify?

A

oxidase positive bacteria - pseudomonas spp. and neisseria spp.

112
Q

what does the optochin test do?

A

differentiates Strep pneumoniae from other alpa haemolytic strep.
strep pneumoniae shows a zone of inhibition around the optochin disc

113
Q

What types of bacteria form red/pink colonies on MacConkey agar?

A

E coli and Klebsiella - lactose fermenting

114
Q

What types of bacteria form a clear colony on MacConkey agar?

A

Salmonella, shigella, pseudomonas - lactose non fermenting

115
Q

what type of agar differentiates between alpha and beta haemolytic strep?

A

blood agar

116
Q

how do you identify alpha haemolytic strep (strep viridans) on blood agar?

A

green pigment due to partial breakdown of blood

117
Q

how do you identify beta haemolytic strep on blood agar?

A

clear zones around the colonies - complete breakdown of blood

118
Q

what is Lancefield grouping?

A

differentiates between beta haemolytic Strep spp. by detecting surface antigens

119
Q

which bacteria are in Lancefield groups A, B and D

A
A = strep pyogenes
B = strep agalactiae
D = enterococci
120
Q

what are the 6 key Gram +ve staining bacterial groups?

remember - Sexy Students Can Look Bad Come morning

A
Streptococcus
Staphylococcus
Corynebacterium
Listeria
Bacillus
Clostridium
121
Q

are the 6 key groups of Gram +ve bacteria aerobic or anaerobic?

A

aerobic, apart from Clostridium spp which are anearobes

122
Q

describe the key features of streptococcus spp

A

chains or diplococci.
gram +ve.
catalase negative.
aerobic.

123
Q

describe the features of strep pneumoniae and what diseases it can cause

A

gram +ve diplococci. alpha haemolytic. droplet transmission.

community-acquired pneumonia, sinusitis, bacterial meningitis.

124
Q

what antibiotics would be given to treat strep pneumoniae infection?

A

penicillin or erythromycin

125
Q

what diseases are caused by alpha haemolytic strep (strep viridans)

A

bacterial endocarditis + dental caries.

126
Q

how would you treat an alpha haemolytic strep infection?

A

penicillin/amoxicillin (erythromycin if allergic).

bacterial endocarditis - penicillin and gentomycin.

127
Q

give the features of strep pyogenes, and the diseases it causes?

A

group A beta-haemolytic.
transmission is airborne and hands.
cellulitis, necrotising fasciitis, pharyngitis (strep throat), tonsillitis etc

128
Q

what are the features of enterococcus spp and what diseases do they cause?

A

group D, non-haemolytic, MacConkey growth. GI tract commensal.
infective endocarditis, UTIs, would infections, IV catheter infections.

129
Q

how would you treat an enterococcus infection?

A
pencillin/vancomycin.
serious infection (e.g. IE) - penicillin/vancomycin + getamicin
130
Q

describe the key features of staphylococcus spp.

A

cocci in clumps, Gram +ve.

catalase positive. coagulase used to differentiate staph aureus (+ve) from the others. aerobic.

131
Q

name two coagulase -ve staphylococcus spp.

A

staph epidermidis

staph saprophyticus

132
Q

give some diseases caused by staph aureus

A
Impetigo, cellulitis, wound infection.
osteomyelitis, septic arthritis.
conjunctivitis.
bacterial endocarditis (in IVDU)
pneumonia.
133
Q

how would you treat a staph aureus infection?

A

flucloxicillin.

MethicillinRSA isn’t sensitive to flucloxacillin - use vancomycin instead.

134
Q

give a disease caused by staph saprophyticus and its treatment?

A

UTI in sexually active young women.

trimethoprim, flucloxacillin.

135
Q

what is the important species of Corynebacterium? how is it spread? what disease does it cause?

A

Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
droplet spread.
diphtheria.

136
Q

how would you treat diphtheria?

A

erythromycin.

diphtheria antitoxin.

137
Q

are Clostridium spp aerobic or anaerobic?

A

anaerobic

138
Q

what bacteria causes tetanus? how is it spread? how would you treat it?

A

clostridium tetani.
spore-forming - spores enter open wounds.
human tetanus Ig + benzodiazepines.

139
Q

what disease does C difficile cause? how does it spread?

A

transmission = spores via faecal-oral route.

causes pseudomembranous colitis - diarrhoea following antibiotic therapy.

140
Q

how would you treat C diff diarrhoea?

A

vancomycin

141
Q

what are the 6 important Gram -ve bacterial groups?

A
Neisseria
Coliforms (also Enterobacteriaceae)
Parvobacteria
Helicobacter
Vibrio
Pseudomonas
142
Q

Are the key Gram -ve bacterial groups aerobic or anaerobic?

A

aerobic

143
Q

describe the features of Neisseria spp.

A

diplococci. gram -ve. oxidase positive. aerobic.

144
Q

Neisseria meningitidis - give its transmission, diseases caused and treatment

A

transmission is by droplets/direct mucosal contact.
Causes meningitis and septicaemia (with purpuric skin rash).
treatment - benzylpenicillin or cefotaxime.

145
Q

what disease does Neisseria gonorrhoea cause? transmission? treatment?

A

gonorrhoea. (opthalmia neonatorum, Reiter’s syndrome).
transmission is direct mucosal contact.
treatment = ciprofloxacin or cefixime.

146
Q

List the coliforms (/enterobacteriaceae) according to colour on MacConkey agar

A

red/pink colony = E coli and Klebsiella penumoniae.

clear colony = Salmonella typhi, paratyphi (A, B, C) and enteritidis

147
Q

E coli: transmission? diseases caused?

A

faecal-oral.

diarrhoea. UTIs, hospital-acquired pneumonia.

148
Q

Klebsiella pneumoniae: diseases caused? treatment?

A

hospital acquired pneumonia. UTIs.

cephalosporins.

149
Q

what diseases do Salmonella typhi and paratyphi cause? transmission and treatment?

A

typhoid and paratyphoid (enteric fever).
faecal-oral.
ciprofloxacin.

150
Q

what disease does Salmonella enteritidis cause? transmission? treatment?

A

gastroenteritis (food-poisoning). transmitted in under-cooked food contaminated with infected animal faeces. no treatment - self-limiting disease.

151
Q

what disease does Shigella dysenteriae cause? transmission and treatment?

A

bacillary dysentery. faecal-oral. ciprofloxacin.

152
Q

give some examples of parvobacteria

A

Haemophilus influenzae, Bordatella pertussis, Legionella pneumophila, Campylobacter jejuni.

153
Q

what diseases does Haemophilus influenzae cause?

A

meningitis, osteomyelitis, cellulitis, otitis media, septic arthritis, pneumonia.

154
Q

how would you treat an H influenzae infection?

A

cefotaxime or ceftriaxone

155
Q

what disease does Bordatella pertussis cause? transmission and treatment?

A

whooping cough. airborne droplets. erythromycin.

156
Q

what disease does Legionella pneumophila cause? transmission and treatment?

A
Legionnaires disease (severe pneumonia, high fever). transmitted by aerosolised droplets - found in warm water such as air con units, water tanks.
treat with erythromcyin.
157
Q

what does Campylobacter jejuni cause? transmission? treatment?

A

gastroenteritis ± dysentery - food poisoning.
reactive arthritis.
Guillain-Barre.
transmitted in contaminated poultry or unpasteurised milk.
no treatment - self-limiting.

158
Q

what diseases does H pylori cause? how would you treat?

A

chronic gastritis. duodenal and gastric ulcers. increased gastric cancer risk.
treat - clarithromycin and amoxicillin or metronidazole.
PPI (omeprazole).

159
Q

what disease does Vibrio cholerae cause? transmission and treatment?

A

cholera - rice water diarrhoea, 25l/day.
faecal-oral / seafood.
treat - rehydration.

160
Q

what diseases does pseudomonas aeruginosa cause?

A

pneumonia (esp. in CF patients).
IV catheter infections.
folliculitis.
UTIs, esp. with catheters.

161
Q

how would you treat a patient with a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection?

A

severe cases - gentamicin or ceftazidime (IV).

in CF/bronchiectasis - ciprofloxacin.

162
Q

what 8 important bacterial groups stain poorly/not at all with Gram stain?

A
Chlamydia spp.
Coxiella spp.
Ricksettia spp.
Mycobacteria spp.
Trepnonema spp.
Borrelia spp.
Leptospira spp.
Mycoplasma spp.
163
Q

What diseases are caused by Chlamydia trachomatis?

A

chlamydia.
trachoma - chronic follicular keratoconjunctivitis.
Reiter’s syndrome/
PID.

164
Q

what is the route of transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis?

A

mucosal contact

165
Q

how would you treat a patient infected with Chlamydia trachomatis?

A

doxycycline or azithromycin

166
Q

what disease is caused by Chlamydia psittaci? treatment?

A

pigeon fanciers lung. tetracylcine.

167
Q

what culture medium is used for Mycobacteria? how long should the culture be grown for?

A

Lowenstein-Jensen culture medium. up to 12 weeks.

168
Q

what disease is caused by Mycobacterium leprae? transmission and treatment?

A

Leprosy. aerosol droplet spread.

Rifampicin and dapsone.

169
Q

what disease is caused by Treponema pallidum? transmission and treatment?

A

Syphillis. tramission is through broken mucosa during sexual contact, or blood transfusion.
treatment - penicillin or doxycycline.

170
Q

give some examples of spirochaete bacteria

A

Treponema spp.
Borrelia spp.
Leptospira spp.

171
Q

what type of virus is the herpes simplex virus? what diseases does it cause?

A

DNA virus.
HSV1 = cold sores.
HSV2 = genital herpes.

172
Q

how would you treat a herpes simplex infection?

A

aciclovir, famciclovir or valciclovir

173
Q

what type of virus is the varicella-zoster virus? what diseases does it cause?

A

DNA virus.
chicken pox.
reactivation = shingles.

174
Q

how would you treat someone infected with varicella zoster?

A

child - calamine lotion.

adolescents/adults - aciclovir.

175
Q

what type of virus is cytomegalovirus?

A

DNA virus.

176
Q

what type of virus is Epstein-Barr virus? what diseases does it cause?

A

DNA virus.
infectious mononucleosis (Glandular fever).
Burkitt’s lymphoma/Hodgkin’s disease.

177
Q

what type of virus is the influenza virus? how is it transmitted?

A

RNA virus.

droplet spread.

178
Q

what type of virus is the mumps virus? how is it transmitted?

A

RNA virus.

droplet spread.

179
Q

what are the clinical features of mumps?

A

prodrome - headache, malaise, fever.
enlarged parotid gland.
orchitis.

180
Q

what type of virus is the measles virus? how is it spread?

A

RNA virus.

droplet spread.

181
Q

what are the clinical features of measles?

A

Prodromal illness.

fever. rash - erythematous and maculopapular.

182
Q

what type of virus is the coronavirus? what does it cause? how it is spread?

A

RNA virus.
common cold.
droplet spread.

183
Q

what type of virus is the rotavirus? what does it cause? how is it spread?

A

RNA virus.
gastroenteritis.
faeco-oral + direct spread.

184
Q

name two groups of yeasts

A

candidia spp. and cryptococcus spp.

185
Q

where is Candida albicans found? how is it transmitted?

A

oropharynx, vagina, GI tract.

disruption of normal bacterial flora leads to Candida overgrowth.

186
Q

what diseases does Candida albicans cause?

A

vaginal and oral candidiasis (thrush).
skin/nail infections.
UTIs.

187
Q

what type of protozoa is entamoeba histolyica? what disease does it cause?

A

an amoeba.

causes amoebic dysentry - faeco-oral transmission.

188
Q

what are the clinical features of amoebic dysentery?

A

abdo pain.
severe diarrhoea with blood and mucus.
tenesmus.
hepatomegaly.

189
Q

how would you treat amoebic dysentery?

A

metronidazole.

190
Q

what type of protozoa is giardia lamblia? what disease does it cause?

A

flagellate.
causes diarrhoea, including travellers diarrhoea.
faeco-oral.

191
Q

give an example of a cestode

A

taenia solium - pork tapeworm

192
Q

give an example of a trematode

A

schistosomes

193
Q

what colour do Gram +ve bacteria stain?

A

Purple (Positive = Purple)

194
Q

what colour do Gram -ve bacteria stain?

A

red/pink

195
Q

what worm is the most common cause of iron-deficiency anaemia worldwide?

A

hookworm