Microbiology, Immunology, Misc. Flashcards
What is the mechanism of action of diptheria toxin?
AB-exotoxin that ribosylates intracellular proteins. Ribosylation inhibits EF-a and thus protein synthesis (causing death).
ST elevation in leads V1- V3 indicates occlusion of what artery?
LAD.
What condition is associated with immune complex vasculitis of IgA and C3 deposition?
Henoch-Scholein Purpura.
What are some serious complications of Henoch-Scholein Purpura?
Glomerulonephritis and end stage renal disease.
What is the function of TNF-a?
Cytokine that induces the systemic inflammatory response; in high concentrations it causes septic shock and cachexia.
Name three cytokines responsible for the systemic inflammatory response.
TNF-a, IL-1, IL-6.
Which cytokine limits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines?
IL-10.
How can HAV contamination be best contained?
Virus is inactivated with water, chlorination, bleach (1:100 dilution) formalin, UV irradiation, or boiling to 85 degC for one minute
What is the most likely outcome for a patient acutely infected with HCV?
Stable chronic hepatitis- most pts remain HCV RNA positive and have persistent elevation of LFTs. A smaller subset progresses to cirrhosis.
How does angioedema most commonly present?
As swelling of the lips, tongue, or eyelids. Pts may or may not have laryngeal edema and difficulty breathing.
What is a common cause of angioedema?
ACE inhibitors. They cause increased bradykinin levels and lead to kinin accumulation.
What is seen on wet mount microscopy of discharge in a patient with bacterial vaginosis?
Clue cells- vaginal squamous epithelial cells covered with multiple small adherent bacteria. (Grey white vaginal discharge)
What type of bacteria is gardnerella vaginalis and what condition does it cause?
BV; it is a gram variable coccobacilli.
What is the presentation of trichomoniasis?
Yellow-green foamy and foul smelling discharge.
What is seem on wet mount of Trichomonas vaginalis?
Motile flagellated trophozoites.
What type of bug is trichomonas vaginalis?
Flagellated trophozoite.
What are the predominant cells found in granulomas?
Epitheloid macrophages and multinucleated giant cells. They often form after tissue macrophages encounter pathogens or substances that cant be easily digested or removed.
How do M. tuberculosis bacteria survive?
They are engulfed by macrophages and evade intracellular killing to survive and reproduce within phagolysosomes; they are able to present mycobaterial antigens to naiive helper T cells.
What is the function of IL-12 secretion?
It induces T cells to differentiated into Th1 T cells which produce interferon-y, activating macrophages and enabling them to kill ingested mycobacteria.
What response occurs when macrophages produce TNa?
Recruitment of additional macropages and monocytes to the area.
Which three factors are critical for formation and maintence of granulomas?
Interferon-y, IL-12, TNF-a
What is the difference between herpesviruses and other enveloped nucleocapsid viruses in terms of their lipid bilayer?
Herpes viruses bud through and acquire their envelope from the host cell nuclear membrane; all other viruses acquire their envelope from budding through the plasma membrane of the host cell.
Name three diseases caused by exotoxin release by S. aureus.
TSS, Staph scalded syndrome, Gastroenteritis
Describe the sequela of sx of staphlococcal food poisioning.
Pt. eats a mayonnaise containing product inoculated by staph from the food handler. At room temp, S. aureus is incubated, producing a pre-formed heat stable exotoxin that causes rapid onset nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping.
Describe the sequlea of sx of bacillus cereus food poisoning.
Contaminates food with a preformed heat-stable exotoxin (usually starchy foods- reheated fried rice esp.)
What condition may lower the minimum infective dose of V. Cholerae by many orders of magnitude?
Increased gastric pH which can be caused by achlorhydria, food ingestion, antacid ingestion.
What is the most common cause of infections associated with foreign bodies?
S. epidermidis.
What is the primary virulence factor of staph epidermidis?
Synthesis of an extracellular polysaccharide matrix (biofilm) that prevents antibiotic penetration and interferes with host defenses.
What bug is the primary cause of epiglotitis?
H. influenza type B.
What side effects are associated with Amitryptiline?
Anticholinergic due to block of muscarinic receptors; may mimic atropine toxicity.
What is the main adverse effect of prazosin?
hypotension (esp. postural)
How is strongyloidiasis transmitted?
By filariform larvae found in soil contaminated by human feces.
Describe the lifecycle of strongyloidiasis.
Penetration of skin –> migration hematogenously to the lungs –> enter alveoli and travel up bronchial tree to pharynx –> swallowed –> reach intestine –> develop into adults that lay eggs within the intestinal mucosa –> hatch into noninfectious larvae that migrate into the intestinal lumen to be excreted in stool.
What may occur due to autoinfection with strongyloides stercoralis?
Massive increase in worm burden and widespread dissemination of parasites throughout the body- hyperinfection with multiorgan dysfunction and septic shock.
How is strongyloidiasis diagnosed?
Rhabditform larvae in the stool with eggs and adult parasites seen on intestinal biopsy.
How is strongyloidiasis treated?
Ivermectin.
What virus is non enveloped and contains ss DNA?
Parvovirus.
What condition is most commonly caused by parvovirus?
Fifths Disease- erythema infectiosum, aplastic crises in sickle cell anemia, hydrops fetalis.
Name the three most common viruses responsible for bronchitis/bronchiolitis?
Influenza, RSV, Coronavirus.
What type of virus causes hep A?
Picornaviridae. (ssRNA)
What type of virus causes hep B?
Hepadnaviridae (dsDNA)
What type of virus causes hep C?
Flaviviridae (ssRNA)
What type of virus causes hep D?
Deltaviridae (ssRNA)
What type of virus causes hep E?
Hepeviridae (ssRNA).
What is the mechanism of injury inflicted by HBV on the liver?
Presence of viral HBsAg and HBcAg on the cell surface stimulates the host’s cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes to destroy infected hepatocytes. No direct cytotoxic effect.
What is the most common cause of hepatic abscesses in underdeveloped and developed countries?
Underdeveloped- parasitic infection; developed- bacterial infection.
Name five routes by which pyogenic bacteria can gain access to the liver.
Biliary tract infection, portal vein pyemia, hepatic artery, direct invasion from an adjacent source, penetrating or trauma injury.
Infection with what pathogen is implicated by lancet shaped gram positive diplococci in a patient with fever and cough?
S. pneumoniae.
How is S. pneumoniae distinguished?
Gram positive, alpha hemolytic, optochin sensitive, bile sensitive diplococci.
C. tetani binds to receptors on presynaptic membranes of motor neurons and blocks release of what NTs?
Inhibitory NTs- glycine, GABA.
Antibodies to what organism are implicated in aggregation of the patients serum in a mixture of cardiolipin, cholesterol and lecithin?
Treponema pallidum.
Block of what three nerves provides complete perineal and genital anesthesia?
Pudendal, genitofemoral, ilioinguinal n.
Describe the histological appearance of hepatic tissue in A1AT deficiency.
Intracellular granules representing globules of unsecreted A1AT are seen within periportal hepatocytes; globules stain reddish pink with PAS stain and resist deigestion by diastase.
What is the lung pathology which creates dyspnea in patients with A1AT deficiency?
Interalveolar septa destruction.
Transmural inflammation of the arterial wall with fibrinoid necrosis is characteristic of what condition?
Polyarteritis nodosa.
Describe the inflammation seen in polyarteritis nodosa.
Segmental, transmural, necrotizing inflammation of medium to small sized arteries. The inflammation can occur in any organ except the lung.
What are the presenting symptoms/ signs of polyarteritis nodosa?
Fever, abdominal pain, peripheral neuropathy, weakness, weight loss.
What condition is associated with polyarteritis nodosa?
Hep B.
What is the triad of pre-eclampsia?
Hypertension, proteinuria, edema.
What is eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia with seizures.
What is HELLP syndrome?
A progression of pre-eclampsia: hemolytic anemia, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets.
What type of bug is pseudomonas aeruginosa?
Non-lactose fermenting gram negative rod. It is oxidase positive.
What is a common cause of UTIs in patients with indwelling bladder catheters?
Pseudomonas aerguinosa.
What bug may cause transient bacteremia after dental procedures?
Viridans streptococci.
What is the mechanism of pathogenicity of viridans streptococci?
Production of extracellular polysaccharides (dextrans) via sucrose that facilitate adherence to fibrin and platelets which deposit at the site of endothelial trauma.
Describe the appearance of aspergillus fumigatus.
Thin, septate hyphae with acute V-shaped branching.
Name three conditions caused by aspergillus fumigatus.
Invasive aspergilosis in immunosuppressed patients, aspergillomas, allergic pulmonary aspergillosis.
What is the most common cause of aseptic meningitis?
Enterovirus.
Describe the structure of enteroviruses.
ssRNA viruses (cocksackie, echo, polioviruses)
How are enteroviruses transmitted?
Fecal-oral. They replicate in the GI tract.
In polio, damage to what part of the spinal cord causes hyporeflexic paralysis?
Anterior horn lower motor neuron cell bodies.
What symptoms occur first in polio?
Fever, malaise, aseptic meningitis
What is first line treatment for coagulase negative staphylococci (s. epidermidis) infection?
Empiric treatment with vancomycin (with or without rifampin or gentamicin)
In fifths disease, what sign often follows disappearance of facial rash?
Erythematous reticular, lace-like rash on the trunk and extremities
Where does parvovirus B19 predominately replicate?
In the bone marrow as it is highly tropic for erythroid precursor cells.
What is the most common cause of neonatal meningitis in the US?
Group B Strep. (followed by E. coli and listeria).
What are the two most common pathogens associated with meningitis in older infants (greater than 3 mos) and adults?
Strep pneumoniae, neisseria meningitidis.
What is the major virulence factor of E. coli strains that cause neonatal meningitis?
K1 capsular antigen
What is sporotrichosis?
A subcutaneous mycosis caused by Sporothrix schenckii.
What is sporothrix schenckii?
A dimorphic fungus found in the natural environment in the form of mold (hyphae) that resides on the bark of tree, shrubs, and garden plants.
How is sporothrix schenckii often transmitted and what are the clinical signs?
Thorn pricks (common in gardeners). It manifests as nodules that spread along lymphatics.
How do enterococci produce resistance to aminoglycosides?
Produce aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes that transfer different chemical groups (acetyl, adenyl, or phosphate) to aminoglycoside molecules which impairs antibiotic binding to ribosomal subunits.
What is the pathogenesis of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome?
Exotoxin exfoliatin causes widespread epidermal sloughing, especially with gentle pressure (Nikolsky’s sign)
What types of viruses can induce viral protein synthesis in the host cell by acting as mRNA and using the host’s intracellular machinery for translation?
ssRNA, positive sense.
What type of virus is rhinovirus?
ssRNA positive sense.
Name four types of nonenveloped RNA viruses.
Enteroviruses, reoviruses, Norwalk virus, rhinovirus.
Name four types of enteroviruses.
Polio, cocksackie, echo, Hep A.
What nerve is most commonly injured in surgical procedures of the anterior neck and what symptoms result?
Recurrent laryngeal (travels close to the inferior thyroid artery); results in laryngeal muscle paralysis, hoarseness, dyspnea.
In pregnant women identified with group B strep colonization, what prophylactic measures should be performed?
Intrapartum antibiotics, usually with penicillin or ampicillin to prevent neonatal sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis.
What is the presentation of coccidioides immitis in the lungs of patients?
As spherules in the lungs containing inhaled spores. These sphereules can rputure and disseminate to other organs and tissues.
Where is C. immitis endemic?
SW USA
How is C. immitis transmitted?
spore inhalation (spores are hyphae fragments)
What type of reaction is an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction?
Antibody mediated type II hypersensitivity reaction where anti ABO antibodies (mainly IgM) in the recipient bind corresponding antigens on transfused erythrocytes causing complement activation. Anaphylatoxins (C3a, C5a) cause vasodilation and symptoms of shock while formation of the MAC leads to complement mediated cell lysis.
What are the two most common causes of hematogenous osteomyelitis?
S. aureus followed by Strep pyogenes (group A strep)
How does tertiary syphilis affect the CV system?
Causes luetic aneurysms which begin with vasa vasorum endarteritis and obliteration, resulting in inflammation, ischemia, and weakening of the adventitia. Aneurysmal dilatation of the thoracic aorta can extend to dilate the aortic valve ring causing a murmur and mediastinal widening.
How does pregnancy increase liklihood of gallstones?
Estrogen induced cholesterol hypersecretion and progesterone induced gallblader hypomotility.
Cases of what four conditions are drastically reduced when H. influenzae vaccination is given?
Meningitis, pneumonia, sepsis, epiglottitis.
Name two conditions that can be caused by meningococcal sepsis.
DIC, hemorrhagic destruction of the bilateral adrenal glands (Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome).
What are ‘germ tubes’ and what species are they specific for?
True hyphae when incubated at 37degC for 3 hrs; specific for c. albicans.
Where is candida albicans a normal inhabitant?
GI tract (including oral cavity); it is thus present in sputum samples occasionally.
What is the most common cause of hydatid cysts?
Tapeworm- echinococcus granulosus
Where are echinococcus granulosas tapeworms endemic?
Mediterranean, Middle east, southern S. america, Iceland, australia, new zealand, southern africa OR SW USA with sheep and dog exposure.
What is the microscopic appearance of a hydatid cyst?
Encapsulated and calcified cyst (eggshell calcification) that contains fluid and budding cells and eventually may become daughter cysts. Outer cyst wall is composed of many layers of delicated, gelatinous sheets surrounded by a thick fibrous capsule.
What is the first line treatment plan for patients with hydatid cysts?
Surgery and adjunctive chemo with mebendazole or albendazole.
What is one complication associated with spilling hydatid cyst contents in the peritoneum?
Anaphylactic shock
Why is primaquine added to chloroquine for treatment of malaria?
To prevent disease relapse– it is used to completely eradicate organisms.
Which two bugs cause malaria?
Plasmodium vivax and plasmodium ovale.
What is one drawback to chloroquine treatment for plasmodia?
No activity against latent hepatic infections established by P. vivax and P. ovale; it is effective in eradicating chloroquine sensitive plasmodia from the bloodstream only.
What effect does ether and other organic solvents have on viral envelopes?
They dissolve the lipid bilayer that makes up the outer viral envelope. When dissolved, loss of infectivity occurs.
What kind of vaccine is the strep pneumo polysaccharide vaccine?
Unconjugated vaccine that induces a T cell independent response.
What is the difference between the polysaccharide and conjugate pneumococcal vaccines?
Pneumococcal conjugate- contains polysaccharide material attached to a protein antigen allowing for a robust T cell dependent response; polysaccharide only- no T cell response.
How does one catch Histoplasma capsulatum?
Present in bird and bat droppings (and is mold in soil) and is endemic to the Mississippi and Ohio River basins.
What is Histoplasma capsulatum?
Dimorphic fungus located intracellularly within macrophages that effects the lungs and reticuloendothelium system.
How does Histoplasma capsulatum present on light microscopy?
As small, intracellular oval bodies.
What are the symptoms of Histoplasma capsulatum?
Acute pulmonary disease (or chronic histoplasmosis if chronic lung disease was initially present– it appears like TB).
What is congenital torticollis?
Develops around 2-4 weeks of age and is caused by birth trauma or malposition of the head in utero –> head is tilted toward affected side with chin pointed away from contracture and soft tissue mass may be palpable in inferior one third of the affected SCM
How is congenital torticollis treated?
Conservative therapy and stretching exercises.
What signs/sx are characteristic of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s)?
Nasal mucosal ulcerations, glomerulonephritis (c-ANCA positive –> antibodies against neutrophil cytoplasmic bodies)