Paediatric Infectious Disease & Immunity Flashcards
A mother brings her 11-month-old son to the emergency department because she is concerned about a rash he has developed. On further questioning, the mother describes that the rash started 2 days ago, initially behind the ears but has since spread.
Prior to developing the rash, the infant was generally unwell with a cough and a fever. He is currently up to date with vaccines but the mother knows that he is supposed to have some more soon though she has not booked an appointment for these yet.
On examination you note that he is irritable, has white spots in his mouth and his eyes appear inflamed.
Given the most likely diagnosis, which of the following would he be most at risk of developing?
A. Aplastic crisis
B. Arthritis of the small joints
C. Deafness
D. Orchitis
E. Otitis media
E. Otitis media: The most common complication of measles is otitis media
What are complications of measles?
otitis media: the most common complication
pneumonia: the most common cause of death
encephalitis: typically occurs 1-2 weeks following the onset of the illness)
subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: very rare, may present 5-10 years following the illness
febrile convulsions
keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulceration
diarrhoea
increased incidence of appendicitis
myocarditis
What is Parvovirus B19 also known as?
Erythrovirus
what are common complications of mumps?
-orchitis - uncommon in pre-pubertal males but occurs in around 25-35% of post-pubertal males. Typically occurs four or five days after the start of parotitis
-hearing loss - usually unilateral and transient
-meningoencephalitis (aseptic CSF)
-pancreatitis
What is the most common cause of late onset sepsis (>72 hours after birth)?
Staphylococcus aureus
What is GBS also known as?
Streptococcus agalactiae
What are some main organisms causing late onset neonatal sepsis?
-Staphylococcus aureus (commonest)
-Staph epidermidis
-E. coli
-Pseudomonas
-Klebsiella
A 4 year old girl who recently started school is brought to her GP with a 24 hour history of feeling generally unwell, tiredness and headache. She has been eating and drinking but less than normal. Her mother states that she is usually happy and healthy but seems to have got gradually worse today. No one else in her class has been unwell. She has no past medical history and does not take any regular medications.
On examination the child looks unwell and appears quite withdrawn. Vital signs: pulse 100bpm, BP 110/70, respiratory rate 22/min, oxygen saturations 98%, temperature 38.5 degrees C. Systems examination is unremarkable. She has cold hands and feet and a non-blanching purpuric rash on her left upper thigh.
Her GP refers her to the nearest hospital. Which of the following treatments should her immediate family members receive? (class of Ab)
A. Meningococcal vaccine
B. Benzylpenicillin
C. Isoniazid
D. Ciprofloxacin
E. Paracetamol
D. Ciprofloxacin (fluoroquinolone; inhibits DNA synthesis)
-All household/close contacts should receive ciprofloxacin or rifampicin as prevention of spread of disease. A suitable alternative would be rifampicin (inhibits RNA synthesis)
What are some complications of parvovirus B19?
-Red cell aplasia (aplastic anaemia)
Parvovirus infection also reduces erythropoiesis.
This is not significant for most patients; however, in vulnerable groups like those with conditions like sickle cell anaemia and hereditary spherocytosis that rely on erythropoiesis, infection can precipitate a severe anaemia, causing an aplastic crisis
-Infection in the first half of pregnancy can also cause severe foetal anaemia that can precipitate hydrops foetalis and subsequent miscarriage
-Cardiomyopathy
-arthralgia (adults)
What are 3 other names for parvovirus B19?
-slapped cheek syndrome
-erythema infectiosum
-fifth disease
what are 2 other names for roseola infantum?
Sixth disease (HHV6)
exanthum subitem
How is measles diagnosed 3-14 days after onset of rash?
measles specific IgM and IgG serology (ELISA) is most sensitive 3-14 days after onset of the rash
How is measles diagnosed 1-3 days after rash onset?
measles RNA detection by PCR best for swabs taken 1-3 days after rash onset
What vaccine(s) happen at birth?
BCG vaccine if risk factors present (eg family have it within past 6 months)
What vaccine(s) happen at 2 months?
6 in 1: diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, Hep B
-Men B
-oral rotavirus
(8 vaccines)
What vaccine(s) happen at 3 months?
6 in 1: diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, Hep B
-oral rotavirus
-PCV
What vaccine(s) happen at 4 months?
-6 in 1: diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, Hep B
-Men B
What vaccine(s) happen at 12-13months? (mnemonic)?
12-13=4 numbers= 4 vaccine groups
-Men B
-MMR
-Hib/Men C
-PCV
What vaccine(s) happen at 2-8 yrs?
annual flu vaccine
What vaccine(s) happen at 3-4 years?
-4 in 1 pre-school booster: whooping cough, polio, diptheria, tetanus
-MMR
What vaccine(s) happen at 12-13 years?
Gardasil HPV vaccine
What vaccine(s) happen at 13-18yrs?
-Men A, C W, Y
-“3 in 1” teenage booster: polio, diptheria, tetanus
When do the Men B vaccines happen?
-2months
-4months
-12-13months
When do the MMR vaccines happen?
-12-13months
-3-4 years
When do the PCV vaccines happen? (mnemonic)?
PCV: 3 letters: 3 months & 13 months
-3 months
-12-13months
When do the oral rotavirus vaccines happen?
-2months
-3months
when do the 6 in 1 vaccines happen (what are they)?
6 in 1: diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, Hep B
-at 2 months
-at 3 months
-at 4 months
An 8 year old girl is brought in by her mother having been unwell with a sore throat and runny nose for the past week. Her mother reports that for the past two nights she has been suffering from severe coughing fits which last up to a few minutes and is then gasping for breath. She has also vomited forcefully after a few of the coughing episodes. Her mother has noticed she appears very red in the face during the coughing fits. On further history taking her mother reveals that she has not received any vaccinations since birth as her mother was worried about the risk of developing autism.
Given the likely cause of her symptoms which investigation would provide be most likely to provide a definitive diagnosis?
A. Blood film
B. Direct fluorescent antibody test
C. Culture of organism on per-nasal swab
D. PCR
E. This would be the firstline investigation but is not the most sensitive. The sensitivity of the culture is dependent on the timing with swabs only swabs taken up to 3 weeks after onset usefulCulture of organism oral swab
D. PCR: PCR is the most sensitive investigation for the diagnosis of pertussis, with a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 97%. However, it should be noted a positive PCR result in the absence of cough is NOT diagnostic for whooping cough
Not C: culture; This would be the firstline investigation but is not the most sensitive. The sensitivity of the culture is dependent on the timing with swabs only swabs taken up to 3 weeks after onset useful
what are some features of congenital rubella (mnemonic)?
Congenital rubella syndrome (CCD): cataracts, cardiac defects (PDA), deafness
(hearing, seeing and heart)
- hearing impairment
- Congenital heart defects – in particular, branch pulmonary artery stenosis and patent ductus arteriosus
- Eye anomalies such as cataract(s), pigmentary retinopathy (salt and pepper type), chorioretinitis or congenital glaucoma
An 8 month old baby is brought into A&E by his mother. Over the last 24 hours he has been febrile and irritable and now he has developed a rash.
On examination there is widespread erythema and there are large fluid filled blisters across his body, many of which have ruptured. There are patches of desquamation and Nikolsky sign is positive. There is marked crusting and fissuring around his mouth, although his oral mucosa is unaffected.
The boy has no relevant past medical history and is up to date with his vaccinations.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Bullous pemphigoid
B. Toxic epidermal necrolysis
C. Kawasaki disease
D. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
E. Pemphigus vulgaris
D. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
The age of this patient, the de-squamation, the positive Nikolsky sign and the sparing of the oral mucosa points towards staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS)
diffuse rose-pink macular rash with surrounding pale halos. His temperature is 40.0 degrees + seizure
HHV6
when would you avoid the use of corticosteroids in suspected meningitis?
If child <3months
what are common meningitis organisms at Neonatal-3 months
Group B streptococcus , E.coli , Listeria monocytogenes