pathology of respiratory tract infection

Question 1

What infections cause acute epiglottitis

Answer 1

Haemophilis influenzae type b

Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci

Question 2

What are the main defences in the respiratory tract

Answer 2

Macrophage-mucocillary escalator

genral immune systom

Respiratory tract secretions and the upper respiratory tract acts as a filter

Question 3

Describe the macrophage-mucocillary escalator

Answer 3

Deposition on the alveoli - alveolar macrophages move through the alveoli and clear the the pathogen by phagocytosis and then carry the remains to the lymph nodes

Question 4

What is pneumonia

Answer 4

Inflammation of the lung parenchyma

Question 5

Describe what is seen on Xray with someone who has bronchopneumonia

Answer 5

Bilateral basal patchy opacification relating to the focal nature of the consolidation - the patch consolidation is pus

Question 6

What are the potential complications of pneumonia

Answer 6

Pleurisy - inflammation of the pleura

pleural effusion

Empyema

Lung abscess

Bronchiectasis

Question 7

What is empyema

Answer 7

Pockets of pus that have collected in a body cavity

Question 8

What does cryptogenic organising pneumonia cause (COP)

Answer 8

Inflammation of the bronchioles and the alveoli

Question 9

What microorganism is responsible for most lung abscesses

Answer 9

Staph aureus

Question 10

What is bronchiectasis

Answer 10

Pathological dilatation of the bronchi

Question 11

What causes bronchiectasis

Answer 11

Recurrent infections

Severe infective episode

Question 12

What is the presentation of bronchiectasis

Answer 12

most start in childhood

Cough, abundant purulent foul sputum, haemoptysis

Course crackles and clubbing

Question 13

What are opportunistic infections

Answer 13

Infections by organisms that usually cannot produce disease in healthy patients