Microbiology of ENT infections Flashcards
How can infections of the throat and pharynx be diagnosed?
Throat swab
What is the cause of the large majority of sore throats? How is this clinically relevant?
Viral infections
NO ANTIBIOTICS
What is the most common cause of bacterial sore throats?
Strep pyogenes (group A strep)
How does strep. pyogenes sore throat present?
Acute follicular tonsillitis
How is bacterial sore throat treated?
Oral penicillin Oral clarithromicin (if allergic)
What is the criteria for prescribing antibiotics to sore throats?
Cervical lymphadenopathy
Absence of cough
Purulent tonsils
Fever
What are the features of strep pyogenes?
Gram positive cocci chains
Beta haemolytic
What are the acute complications of bacterial sore throat?
Peritonsillar abcess (quincy)
Sinusitis
Otitis media
Scarlet fever
What is scarlet fever?
Infectious bacterial disease (step. pyogenes) causing fever and red rash
What protection procedures are indicated in quincy?
SICP
Contact precautions
Risk assess for droplet protection
What are the late complications of strep. sore throat?
Rheumatic fever
Glomerulonephritis
How does rheumatic fever present?
Weeks after sore throat
Pancarditis
Fever
Arthritis
How does glomerulonephritis present?
Weeks after sore throat
Haematuria
Albuminuria
Oedema
What causes diptheria?
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
How does diptheria present?
Severe sore throat
Grey-white pseudomembrane across pharynx
What is effect does the diptheria endotoxin have on certain tissues?
Cardiotoxic
Neurotoxic
How common is diptheria?
Uncommon in UK
The diptheria vaccine is which type of vaccine?
Extracted toxin
How is diptheria treated?
Supportive
Anti-toxin
Penicillin OR erythromycin
How does oral candida (thrush) present?
White patches on top of raw, red mucous membranes in the mouth and throat
What causes thrush?
Candida albicans (usually endogenous)
How is oral candida treated?
Nystatin suspension (topically)
What is acute otitis media?
An upper respiratory infection which spreads to the middle ear via the eustachian tube
Which age group gets acute otitis media?
Infants & children
How does acute otitis media present?
Earache
What is the cause of acute otitis media?
Viral –> secondary bacterial infection
Which bacteria commonly cause acute otitis media?
Strep pyogenes
Haemophilus influenzae
Strep pneumonia
How is acute otitis media diagnosed?
Clinically
Swab can be taken (only if eardrum perforates)
How is acute otitis media treated?
Often self resolving
When are antibiotics indicated in the treatment of acute otitis media?
Bilateral in
Which antibiotics are used in the treatment of acute otitis media?
Amoxicillin
Clarithromycin if allergic
How does acute sinusitis present?
Discomfort over maxillary or frontal sinuses due to congestion
Pain which gets worse on bending/moving head in certain directions
What typically precedes acute sinusitis?
Upper respiratory tract infection (viral)
What would make you think of secondary bacterial infection with regard to acute sinusitis?
Severe pain over sinuses
Purulent nasal discharge
Tenderness
How can acute sinusitis be diagnosed?
Clinically
How is acute sinusitis managed?
Self resolving
If secondary bacterial infection
- Penicillin
- Doxycycline (NOT IN CHILDREN)