Microbiology Denise Flashcards
What congenital infections are currently screened in mothers during pregnancy?
Hepatitis B
HIV
Rubella
Syphilis
What congenital infections are currently not screened in mothers during pregnancy but are possible?
CMV
Toxoplasmosis
Hepatitis C
Group B Streptococcus
Congenital toxoplasmosis may be asymptomatic at birth but 60% may still go on to suffer long-term sequelae such as….
Deafness
Low IQ
Microcephaly
Congenital toxoplasmosis is symptomatic at birth in 40%. What are examples of symptoms?
Choroidoretinitis Microcephaly/hydrocephalus Intracranial calcifications Seizures Hepatosplenomegaly/jaundice
What is the mechanism of congenital rubella syndrome?
The mitotic arrest of cells
Angiopathy
Growth inhibitor effect
How does congenital rubella syndrome affect the eyes?
Cataracts
Microphthalmia
Glaucoma
Retinopathy
How does congenital rubella syndrome affect the CVS?
Patent ductus arteriosis
Atrial/ventricular septal defect
How does congenital rubella syndrome affect the ears?
Deafness
How does congenital rubella syndrome affect the brain?
Microcephaly
Meningoencephalitis
Developmental delay
What are some other symptoms of congenital rubella syndrome (not including eyes, CVS, ears, brain)?
Growth retardation Bone disease Hepatosplenomegaly Thrombocytopenia Rash
Chlamydia trachomatis is a congenital infection transmitted during delivery. The mother may be asymptomatic but the neonate may show…?
Neonatal conjunctivitis
Rarely pneumonia
Treat with erythromycin
What is the neonatal period?
First 4-6weeks of life
n.b. if the baby is born early (premature), the neonatal period is longer and adjusted for expected birth date
Which organisms are typically involved with neonatal infections?
Group B streptococci
E coli
Listeria monocytogenes
What type bacteria and shape are Group B streptococci?
Gram +ve coccus
Catalase -ve
B-haemolytic
In neonates, Group B streptococci causes….?
Bacteraemia
Meningitis
Disseminated infection e.g. joint infections
What can E coli lead to in neonates?
Bacteraemia
Meningitis
UTI
What are early onset sepsis-risk factors (maternal)?
Premature labour Fever Foetal distress Meconium staining Previous Hx
What are early onset sepsis-risk factors (baby)?
Birth asphyxia Resp distress Low BP Acidosis Hypoglycaemia Neutropenia Rash Hepatosplenomegaly Jaundice
What are investigations used for suspected sepsis/infections during childhood?
FBC C-reactive protein Urine Blood culture Deep ear swab Lumbar puncture (CSF) ET secretions if ventilated Surface swabs CXR (full body)
What is the treatment for early onset neonatal sepsis?
Supportive mgmt
- Ventilation
- Circulation
- Nutrition
- Antibiotics e.g. benzylpenicillin and gentamicin
What bacteria are causes of late onset sepsis in neonates (after 48-72 hours)?
Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS)
(Less commonly: Group B strep E coli Listeria monocytogenes Staph aureus Enterococcus sp. Gram negatives (Klebsiella etc) Candida)
What are clinical features of late onset sepsis in neonates?
Bradycardia Apnoea Poor feeding/bilious aspirates/abdo distension Irritability Convulsions Jaundice Resp distress Increased CRP Sudden changes in WCC/platelets Focal inflammation e.g. umbilicus, drip sites etc
What is the treatment for late onset neonatal sepsis?
Treat early
Review and stop Abx if cultures are negative and clinically stable
1st line Abx - cefotaxime and vancomycin
2nd line - meropenem
What is the choice of antibiotics for community acquired late onset neonatal sepsis infections?
Cefotaxime, amoxicillin ± gentamicin
Viral infections are very common during childhood. What are some examples?
Chickenpox (VZV)
HSV (coldsores/stomatitis)
HHV6, HHV8, EBV, CMV, RSV, enteroviruses etc
Bacterial infections may cause secondary infection in childhood after viral illness. An example is….
iGAS disease post-VZV infection
What is the most important bacterial cause of paediatric morbidity and mortality?
Meningitis
Diagnosis of meningitis in paeds is confirmed by…?
Clinical features Blood cultures Throat swab LP for CSF if possible Rapid Ag screen EDTA blood for PCR Clotted serum for serology if needed later
What can Streptococcus pneumonia cause?
Meningitis
Bacteraemia
Pneumonia
What bacteria is Gram +ve diploccous, a-haemolytic and has >90 capsular serotypes?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Streptococcus pneumoniae has increasing resistance to which drug?
Penicillin
What are the bacteria that can cause meningitis at <3 months?
Neisseria meningitidis Streptococcus pneumoniae Haemophilus influenzae (if unvaccinated) GBS E coli Listeria sp
What are the bacteria that can cause meningitis at 3months-5years of age?
Neisseria meningitidis
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae (if unvaccinated)
Respiratory tract infections account for what proportion of childhood illnesses?
1/3
most viral and upper RTIs
What is the most important bacterial cause of RTIs in children?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Most UK strains remain sensitive to penicillin or amoxicillin
Mycoplasma pneumonia causes RTIs in which age group?
Older children
>4years
What is the choice of treatment for myocplasma pneumonia RTIs in children?
Macrolides
e.g. azithromycin
What are some classical presentations of mycoplasma pneumonia RTIs in school age children/young adults?
Fever Headache Myalgia Pharyngitis Dry cough Incubation period = 2-3weeks
n.b. many are asymptomatic
What are the extrapulmonary manifestations of mycoplasma pneumonia?
Haemolysis Neurological Cardiac Polyarthralgia Myalgia Arthritis Otitis media Bullous myringitis
What is the mechanism of haemolysis due to mycoplasma pneumonia?
IgM antibodies bind to the I antigen on erythrocytes
Cold agglutinins in 60% patients occur
What are some extra-pulmonary neurological manifestations in patients with mycoplasma pneumonia?
Encephalitis (most common) Aseptic meningitis Peripheral neuropathy Transverse myelitis Cerebellar ataxia
What are the organisms that can cause UTIs?
E coli
Other coliforms e.g. Proteus species, Klebsiella, Enterococcus
Coagulas negative Staphylococcus
How are UTIs diagnosed in children?
Symptoms if child can give clear Hx
Pure growth >10^5cfu/ml
Pyuria - pus cells on urine microscopy
UTIs are common in children and occur in what % in girls and boys by age 11?
Up to 3% girls by age 11
Up to 1% boys by age 11
If treatment for children’s RTI for streptococcus pneumoniae and mycoplasma pneumonia fails to respond, we must consider the bacterial cause to be….?
Whooping cough (Bordetella pertussis especially if child is not vaccinated) Tuberculosis (including MDRTB and XDRTB)
What is the mechanism of neurological manifestations due to mycoplasma pneumonia?
The MoA is currently unknown but it is thought that antibodies cross-react with galactocerebroside
What are 4 important types of CNS infections?
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Brain abscess
- Spinal infections
What are the 4 routes of entry for CNS infection?
- Haematogenous spread
- Direct implantation
- Local extension
- PNS into CNS
What are the typical signs and symptoms of meningitis?
Fever
Headache
Stiff neck
Vomiting
Light aversion
Drowsiness
Seizures
Non-blanching (petechial/purpuric) rash (in 80% of children)
10% mortality rate
What are the signs and symptoms of encephalitis?
Disturbance of brain function
What are the causative agents of encephalitis?
Rabies virus Arboviruses Trypanosoma species Prions Amoeba
What are the causative agent(s) of myelitis?
Poliovirus
What are the signs and symptoms of myelitis?
Disturbance of nerve transmission
What region is affected in (i) meningitis, (ii) encephalitis, (iii) myelitis, and (iv) with neurotoxins?
(i) Meninges
(ii) Brain
(iii) Spinal cord
(iv) CNS + PNS
What are the signs and symptoms of neurotoxin syndromes?
Paralysis
Rigid (tetanus)
OR flaccid (botulism)
What are the causative agents of neurotoxin syndrome?
Clostridium tetani
Clostridium botulinum
What is the difference between meningitis and meningoencephalitis?
Meningitis is the inflammatory process of meninges and CSF. Meningoencephalitis is the inflammation of meninges AND brain parenchyma.
What mechanisms does neurological damage occur in meningitis?
Direct bacterial toxicity
Indirect inflammation with cytokine release and oedema
Shock, seizures and cerebral hypoperfusion
In the UK, around 5% meningitis survivors have long-term neurological sequelae, mainly….
Sensorineural deafness
What are some common causative agents of acute meningitis?
Neisseria meningitidis Strep pneumoniae Haemophilus influenzae Listeria monocytogenes Group B Streptococcus E coli
How is Neisseria meningitidis transmitted?
Person-to-person
Through nasopharyngeal mucosa
From asymptomatic carriers
Pathogenic strains of Neisseria meningitidis are found in what % of carriers?
1% of N.meningitidis are pathogenic
Neisseria meningitidis can cause….
Meningitis (50% cases)
Septicaemia (7-10%)
Septicaemia AND meningitis (40%)
These clinical differences are important for treatment choice for shock vs only increased ICP.
What 4 processes produce the clinical spectrum for septicaemia?
- Capillary leak
- Coagulopathy
- Metabolic derangement (namely acidosis)
- Myocardial failure (i.e. multi-organ failure)
How does the capillary leakage process contribute to septicaemia?
Leakage of albumin and other plasma proteins results in hypovolaemia
How does the coagulopathy process contribute to septicaemia?
Bleeding and thrombosis occur
Due to endothelial injury and platelet-release reactions
Protein C pathway and plasma anticoagulants are also involved
What is an example of chronic meningitis?
Tuberculous chronic meningitis
Commoner in immunosuppressed
Which regions does tuberculous chronic meningitis involve?
Meninges and basal cisterns of the brain and spinal cord
What can tuberculous chronic meningitis result in?
Tuberculous granulomas
Tuberculous abscesses
Cerebritis
What is the most common infection of the CNS?
Aseptic meningitis
PC: headache, stiff neck and photophobia ± rash.
What are the causative organism(s) of aseptic meningitis in 80-90% cases?
Coxsackievirus group B
Echoviruses
(often in children <1yr)
How is encephalitis transmitted?
Commonly from person to person
Or through vectors (mosquitoes, lice, ticks)
West Nile virus is an international cause of which infection?
Encephalitis
What organism can cause bacterial encephalitis?
Listeria monocytogenes
n.b. toxoplasmosis can also cause CNS encephalitis
What organism(s) can cause amoebic encephalitis?
Naegleria fowleri (lives in warm water)
Acanthamoeba
Balamuthia mandrillaris
These can cause brain abscesses, aseptic or chronic meningitis
A focal CNS infection may be indicated by the presence of….?
Brain abscess
What are some disorders involved with the pathophysiology of brain abscesses?
- Otitis media; mastoiditis; paranasal sinuses
- Endocarditis (haematogenous spread)
- Tuberculous meningitis
What is the most common form of spinal vertebral infection?
Pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis
If pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis (spinal infection) is left untreated, what can result?
Permanent neurological deficits
Significant spinal deformity
Death
What are some risk factors for spinal infections?
Advanced age IV drug use Long-term systemic steroids Diabetes mellitus Organ transplant Malnutrition Cancer
What investigation is the best for detecting parenchymal abnormalities e.g. abscesses and infarction?
MRI
What investigations are useful for CNS infections?
CSF sample
Brain tissue
MRI (for parenchymal abnormalities e.g. abscesses and infarction)
A 20 year old woman presents with headache and neck stiffness. Gram stain shows Gram +ve cocci. What is the causative pathogen?
Strep pneumoniae
A 18 year old man present with headache and neck stiffness. Gram stain shows Gram -ve cocci. What is the causative pathogen?
N. meningitidis
A 65 year old presents with headache and neck stiffness. Gram stain shows Gram +ve bacillus/rods. What is the causative pathogen?
Listeria monocytogenes
A 45 year old presents with headache and neck stiffness. A Ziehl-Neelsen stain was done and was positive. What is the causative pathogen?
Mycobacterium TB
A 35 year old presents with headache and neck stiffness. Indian ink stain tests were done and were positive. What is the causative pathogen?
Cryptococcus neoformans
Increased risk in HIV patients
What is the generic treatment plan for meningo-encephalitis?
Aciclovir 10mg/kg IV tds
Ceftriaxone 2g IV bd
If >50yrs or immunocompromised add:
amoxicillin 2g IV 4hourly
Define uncomplicated urinary tract infection
Infection in a structurally and neurologically normal urinary tract
Define complicated urinary tract infection
Infection in a urinary tract with functional or structural abnormalities (including indwelling catheters and calculi).
Complicated urinary tract infections tend to occur in which groups of patients?
Men
Pregnant women
Children
Patients who are hospitalised/in healthcare associated settings
More than 95% of urinary tract infections are caused by a single bacterial species. What is the most frequent infecting organism in acute infection?
E.coli
Apart from E.coli causing the majority of UTIs, what other organisms can cause them?
Proteus mirabilis Klebsiella aerogenes Enterococcus faecalis Staphylococcus saprophyticus Staphylococcus epidermis
What are 3 antibacterial host defences in the urinary tract?
- Urine (osmolality, pH, organic acids)
- Urine flow and micturition
- Urinary tract mucosa (bactericidal activity, cytokines)
What is the urethra usually colonised with?
BActeria
The female urethra is short and in promiximity to what?
The warm and moist vulvar and perianal areas
This makes contamination likely. Bacteria is pushed into the female bladder (risk increases during sex)
Organisms that cause UTIs in women tend to colonise which regions before the urinary infection results?
Vaginal introitus
Periurethral area
Once bacteria is within the bladder, bacteria may multiply and where can it pass up?
Ureters
Especially if vesicoureteral reflux is present, up to the renal pelvis and parenchyma
How do renal/urinary tract abnormalities interfere and increase infection risk?
Obstruction inhibits natural urine flow and resulting stasis occurs
Name extra-renal causes of obstruction of the renal/urinary tract that can increase UTI risk?
- Valves, stenosis, or bands
- Calculi
- Extrinsic ureteral compression from a variety of causes
- Benign prostatic hypertrophy
Name intra-renal causes of obstruction of the renal/urinary tract that can increase UTI risk?
- Nephrocalcinosis
- Uric acid nephropathy
- Analgesic nephropathy
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Hypokalemic nephropathy
- Renal lesions of sickle cell trait/disease
Name neurogenic malfunction causes of obstruction of the renal/urinary tract that can increase UTI risk?
Poliomyelitis
Tabes dorsalis,
Diabetic neuropathy
Spinal cord injury
The kidney is frequently the site of abscesses in patients with what infections?
Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia
Or endocarditis
(Or both. This is by the haematogenous route)
Infection of the kidney with which type of bacteria RARELY occurs by the haematogenous route?
Gram-negative bacilli
it is more common with Staph aureus or endocarditis
What do the lower urinary tract symptoms result from?
Bacteria causing irritation of urethral and vesical mucosa, causing frequent and painful urination of small amounts of turbid urine
What are the lower UTI symptoms present in patients?
Frequency Painful urination Small amounts of turbid urine Suprapubic heaviness/pain Grossly bloody urine/bloody tinge at end of micturition
(fever tends to be absent in infections limited to the lower tract)
What are the upper UTI symptoms present in patients?
Fever (±rigors)
Flank pain
Frequently lower UTI symptoms too (frequency, urgency, dysuria) - these may occur before the upper tract symptoms by 1-2 days
What are the symptoms of UTIs in older/elderly patients?
- Majority are asymptomatic
- When they are present, are not diagnostic as many old people have frequency, dysuria, hesitancy, incontinence anyway
- Atypical upper UTI symptoms e.g. abdo pain, change in mental status
What are the investigations for (i) uncomplicated UTIs/pyelonephritis and (ii) complicated UTIs?
(i) Urine dipstick
MSU for urine MC&S
Bloods (FBC, U&Es, CRP, inflammatory markers + renal function)
(ii) The above investigations but also renal USS and IV urography
How can we sample urine for testing in UTIs?
- Midstream clean catch (MSU)
- Catherisation
- Suprapubic aspiration
The presence of white cells (pyuria) in the urine under the microscope indicates what?
Infection
The presence of squamous epithelial cells in the urine under the microscope indicates what?
Contamination of the sample
What are some causes of sterile pyuria (presence of white cells in urine without any apparent infection)?
- Prior treatment with antibiotics
- Calculi
- Catheterisation
- Bladder neoplasm
- TB
- Sexually transmitted diseases
The treatment for UTIs is empirical therapy, community based for lower UTIs and local guidance. How many days of therapy should be given for UTIs?
- 3 days of therapy with standard doses for treatment of uncomplicated lower UTIs in women
- Longer therapy for those with H/O previous UTIs, Abx resistance, >7days symptoms
- 7 days of therapy in men
What is the treatment for catheter-associated UTIs?
- Remove catheter
- Aminoglycosides (e.g. gentamin, amikacin) before catheter removal
- Oral fluconazole is NO more effective than no therapy
Most UTIs with indwelling catheters are caused by which organism?
Candida fungal infection
Oral fluconazole is not given to those with Candida fungal UTIs caused by catheters, except in which patients?
Renal transplant patients
Patients who are about to undergo elective urinary tract surgery
The kidney itself is NOT uniformly susceptible to infection. What is the susceptibility in the medulla vs the cortex?
- Few organisms are needed to infect the medulla
- 10,000x are needed to infect the cortex
What is pyelonephritis commonly associated with?
Sepsis
Pyelonephritis is commonly associated with sepsis so it needs more aggressive treatment such as….?
Co-amoxiclav ±/gentamicin
Imaging: calculi, structural cause
What are the complications of pyelonephritis?
- Perinephric abscess
- Chronic pyelonephritis (scarring, chronic renal impairment)
- Septic shock
- Acute papillary necrosis
What are 3 major pathogens in surgical site infections?
- Staph aureus (MSSA and MRSA)
- E.coli
- Psuedomonas aeruginosa
What is the pathogenesis mechanism of surgical site infections?
- Contamination of wound at operation
- Pathogenicity and innoculum of microorganisms
- Host immune response
What are the 3 levels of surgical site infection?
- Superficial incisional - skin and subcutaneous tissue
- Deep incisional - fascial and muscle layers
- Organ/space infection
The presence of pus with cluster cocci with a surgical site infection is most likely to be which of the organisms:
(a) E.coli
(b) Enterobacter
(c) Neisseria meningitides
(d) MRSA
MRSA
Diabetes increases the risk of surgical site infection by 2-3x. How can this be managed?
Control blood glucose
Aim for HbA1C <7
This is because DM is associated with post-operative hyperglycaemia
Rheumatoid arthritis increases the risks of surgical site infections. How can this be managed?
Stop disease modifying agents for 4 weeks pre- and 8 weeks post-operatively.
Why is there greater risk of surgical site infection in patients with obesity (BMI>35 have 5-7x greater risk)?
Adipose tissue is poorly vascularised
Poor oxygenation of tissues and functioning of the immune response increases SSI risk
Why is there greater risk of surgical site infection in patients who smoke?
Nicotine delays primary wound healing
Peripheral vascular disease
Therefore encourage tobacco cessation
Why is pre-operative showering encouraged?
- Microorganisms colonising skin may contaminate exposed tissues and cause surgical site infections
- Patients should wash using soap on operation day or the day before
Why is hair removal is not encouraged before operations?
Micro-abrasions caused by shaving with a razor may lead to multiplication of bacteria in surgical site infections
(Use electric clippers on the day of surgery with single-use head)
Staph aureus contaminates the nasal region in what % of people?
20-30%
High RF for surgical site infections
Why does mild hypothermia during surgery appear to increase the risk of surgical site infections?
Vasoconstriction
Decreased O2 delivery to the wound space
Subsequent impairment of neutrophil function
therefore peri-operatively give high O2
Give 4 bone and joints infections that will increase the risks of surgical site infections?
- Septic arthritis
- Vertebral osteomyelitis
- Chronic osteomyelitis
- Prosthetic joint infection
What are the risk factors for septic arthritis?
- RhA, OA, crystal-induced arthritis
- Joint prosthesis
- IV drug abuse
- Diabetes, chronic renal disease, chronic liver disease
- Immunosuppression, steroids
- Trauma: intra-articular injection, penetrating injury
What is the pathophysiology of septic arthritis?
Organisms adhere to the synovial membrane
Bacteria proliferate in synovial fluid and generate a host inflammatory response
Joint damage exposes host-derived proteins e.g. fibronectin, to which bacteria adhere
Staph aureus has receptors that can recognise selected host proteins. What is an example of a receptor that it has?
Fibronectin binding protein
binds to fibronectin which is a host-derived protein that is exposed from joint damage
Kingella kingae is a bacteria that can adhere to the synovial membrane in septic arthritis. How does it adhere?
Bacterial pili
Some strains of Staph aureus produce what cytotoxin that has been associated with fulminant infections in septic arthritis?
Cytotoxin PVL
Panton-Valentine Leucocidin
What are the causative organisms of septic arthritis?
- Staph aureus (46%)
- Coagulase negative staph (4%)
- Streptococci (22%) - pyogenes, pneumoniae, agalactiae
- Gram negative organisms - E.coli, HI, Neisseria, §
- Rare: Lyme, brucellosis, mycobacteria, fungi
What are the clinical features of septic arthritis?
- 1-2 week H/O red, painful, swollen restricted joint
- Monoarticular in 90%
- Knee is involved in 50%
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis may show more subtle signs of joint infection
Is septic arthritis polyarticular or monoarticular?
Monoarticular in 90%
What signs may be present on imaging of septic arthritis?
USS - joint effusion
CT - erosive bone change, periarticular soft tissue extension
MRI - effusion, articular cartilage destruction, abscess, contiguous osteomyelitis
What is the treatment for septic arthritis?
- Antibiotics (up to 6 weeks therapy can be given)
- Drainage
Vertebral osteomyelitis can be classified into which 2 categories?
- Acute haematogenous
2. Exogenous - after disc surgery, or implant associated
What are the causative organisms of vertebral osteomyelitis?
- Staph aureus (48.3%)
- Coagulase negative staph
- Gram negative rods
- Strep
Where can vertebral osteomyelitis infections be localised to and in what %?
Cervical (10.6%)
Cervico-thoraco (0.4%)
Lumbar (43.1%)
What are the symptoms of vertebral osteomyelitis?
Back pain (86%) Fever (60%) Neurological impairment (34%)
How is vertebral osteomyelitis diagnosed?
MRI - 90% sensitive
Blood cultures
CT/open biopsy
What is the treatment for vertebral osteomyelitis?
6 weeks of treatment (flucocloxacillin usually)
Longer treatment if undrained abscesses or implant associated
What are 3 characteristic features of chronic osteomyelitis?
Pain
Brodies’ abscess
Sinus tract
How is chronic osteomyelitis diagnosed?
MRI
Bone biopsy for culture and histology
What is the treatment for chronic osteomyelitis?
Radical debridement down to living bone
Remove sequestra, and remove infected bone and soft tissue
What are signs of prothetic joint infections?
Pain
Patient complains that the joint was ‘never right’
Early failure
Sinus tract
Define sinus tract
A narrow opening or passageway under the skin that can extend in any direction through soft tissue and results in dead space with potential for abscess formation
What are the causative organisms for prosthetic joint infections?
- Gram +ve cocci (CoNS, Staph aureus, strep, entero)
- Aerobic gram -ve bacilli (entero, pseudomonas)
- Anerobes
- Polymicrobial
- Cultural negative
- Fungi
How are prosthetic joint infections diagnosed?
- Radiology: loosening
- CRP >13.5 (prosthetic knee joint)
- CRP >5 (hip joint)
- Joint aspiration where WCC >1700/ml (knee)
- WCC >4200/ml (hip)
What does the ‘Endo Klinik single stage revision’ treatment for prosthetic joint infection involve?
- Aspirate joint to identify pathogen
- Removal of infected tissue, foreign material, dead bone
- Re-implant new prosthesis with antibiotic impregnated cement
- IV antibiotics