MLSCI340 Respiratory/Genital Flashcards
Normal flora of the Upper Resp Tract
- alpha and non-hem Streptococci
- Haemophilus sp
- Coryneforms/ diphtheroids
- Staphylococcus sp
- Micrococcus sp
- Anaerobes
- Enterobacteriaceae
Only 10-20% of all resp tract infections can be treated by antibiotics. Why ?
Viruses cause >80% of acute upper resp tract infections
Pathogens of the mouth:
- Candida sp
- S. pyogenes (if in wound)
- Treponema
- Fusobacterium
Define “Vincent’s angina”
ulcerative gingivostomatitis, trench mouth, stomatitis, fusospirochetosis
Define Thrush
candidiasis in mouth characterized by white patches of exudate on an acutely inflamed mucosa
Pathogens of the nose:
- S. aureus
- S. pyogenes (if pure)
Define Sinusitis
acute inflammatory infection of one or more of the paranasal sinuses
Define Rhinitis
nasal catarrh, inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes - usually viral
Pathogens of the throat:
- S. pyogenes
- Corynebacterium dipththeriae (toxigenic)
- N. gonorrhoeae
- Group C & G Streptococci
- Arcanobacterium haemolyticum (rash)
- Haemophilus influenzae (epiglottitis)
Define Pharyngitis
inflammation of the mucus membrane and underlying parts of the pharynx
Lower resp tract includes: (5)
larynx > trachea > bronchi > bronchioles > alveoli
the lower resp tract should have what organisms in healthy individuals ?
NONE; LRT should be sterile in healthy individuals
T or F: lower resp specimens are often contaminated
TRUE; organisms from mouth/ throat often contaminate lower resp specimens
Individuals with __ may experience colonization of the airways
Individuals with CHRONIC RESP DISEASES (IE. BRONCHITIS) may experience colonization of the airways
OPF/MOPF consists of one or more of these organisms:
(Mixed) Oropharyngeal Flora:
- non-hem Streptococci
- Haemophilus parainfluenzae
- Viridans group Strep
- CNS
- Diptheroids/ coryneforms
- Micrococcus sp
- Bacillus sp
- Anaerobic GPC
- Enterococcus sp (unless recent surgery)
When is Enterococcus sp NOT OPF in lower resp specimens ?
patients with recent surgery
Pathogens of lower resp tract:
- S. pneumoniae
- H. influenzae
- S. pyogenes
- Enterobacteriaceae
- Nocardia sp
- B. anthracis
- M. catarrhalis
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (mucoid) + other NFB
- Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
- Corynebacterium diphtheriae
- Candida sp
Define Laryngotracheo-bronchitis (croup)
- lethal disease for kids since airways are narrower/ easily blocked
- majority due to virus
Define Acute Infectious Bronchitis
- inflammation of mucus membrane of bronchial tubes
- generally associated w/ Influenzae or Ardenoviruses
- may be a secondary complication of bacterial pneumoniae
Define Bronchiolitis
- Inflammation of bronchioles
- usually due to viruses (respiratory syncytial virus)
- in children <1 year
Define Bacterial Pneumonia
- inflammation of lungs
- exudation into alveoli
Define Viral Pneumonia
- high fever + cough
- bronchiolitis + interstitial mononuclear and granulocytic infiltration
- more insidious onset than bacterial pneumonia
What maintains the pH of the vagina ?
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- produces lactic acid from glycogen
NOTE: at pH of 4.4 to 4.6
Normal pH of the vagina
acidic; 4.4 to 4.6
Why is a low pH of the vagina important ?
- inhibits growth of E. coli (Enterobacteriaceae)
Which organisms can grow despite acidic pH of vagina ?
- Anaerobes
- Enterococci
- C. albicans
The cervix is generally sterile because of __.
The cervix is generally sterile because of its ALKALINE pH.
Normal Flora of Genital Tract
- non-hem Streptococci
- CNS
- viridans group Strep
- Diphteroids/ coryneforms
- Lactobacillus sp
- Neisseria sp
NOTE: similar to urine/ skin
Pathogens of the Genital Tract:
- N. gonorrhoeae
- S. aureus
- P. aeruginosa
- Haemophilus ducreyii
- Candida sp
- Group A & B Strep
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Trichomonas vaginalis
- Gardnerella vaginalis
- Treponema pallidum
Define Bacterial Vaginosis
imbalance of normal flora; decreased Lacto, increased Gardnerella sp./ anaerobes