Pathogens Flashcards
How are gram negative cell walls arranged?
- inner and outer membrane (gap between)
- Lipopolysaccharide on outside
- thin walls (in comparison to GM +ve)
What does Group B streptococcus cause?
Neonatal Meningitis
Strep. pneumoniae appear as what on gram staining?
Gm +ve diplococci
What is the difference between spiral bacteria and spirochete?
Spiral shaped have their fligella on the outside and are rigid in their shape
Spirochete have their fligella INSIDE => are flexible
Give examples of organisms which are spiral shaped?
H. Pylori
Campylobacter
Give examples of true spirochete organisms and what they cause in the human body?
Borrelia = Lyme Disease Treponema = Syphilis
How do streptococci cause haemolysis?
Produce a toxin which breaks down the blood cells in the agar
More haemolysis = more dangerous the organism
=> Group A strep is worst due to Beta haemolysis
Give examples of streptococci which cause alpha, beta and gamma haemolysis
Alpha = strep. viridans Beta = strep. pyogenes (Group A) Gamma = Enterococcus Faecalis (Group D)
What bugs are usually intra-operatively acquired?
Staph aureus and staph epidermidis
Where is strep viridans usually found?
Mouth (=> GI tract)
Beware of patient having had any dental work done recently
What criteria is used when classifying endocarditis?
Duke Criteria
NOT “DUKE’s” - THIS IS FOR COLON CANCER
Where do E-coli usually cause infection?
Urinary Tract
Biliary Tract
HACEK organisms indicate what type of infection?
Endocarditis
What is rigors?
Uncontrollable shaking due to high temperature
The body is trying to cool itself down
What is the step down from amoxicillin, metronidazole and gentamicin in an intra-abdominal or biliary tract sepsis?
Co-trimoxazole and metronidazole
What bugs usually colonise diabetic ulcers acutely vs chronically?
ACUTE = staph aureus
CHRONIC = staph aureus, coliforms, anaerobes
What antibiotic is used in Tayside for surgical prophylaxis?
IV co-amoxiclav for a maximum of 3 days
What should be given along with co-amoxiclav in patients with a BMI >30?
Extra amoxicillin for drug distribution in the body
Other than recent antbiotics, what can predispose to CDiff infection?
Proton Pump Inhibitors (reduce stomach acid and let more bugs in)
Steroids/ Immunosuppression
Age >65
What organism is known to cause bloody diarrhoea?
Ecoli 0157
Giving antibiotics in an E-coli 0157 infection can predispose to what complication?
Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome
What infection is caused by reheating rice?
Bacillus Cereus
What treatment should be given for Bacillus Cereus infection?
Supportive management as it is self limiting (diarrhoea only lasts a few hours)
