Pediatrics - Infectious diseases Flashcards
PED - 4.1
From which age can influenza vaccination be administered?
A) 6 months
B) 12 months
C) 5 years
D) 18 years
ANSWER
A) 6 months
EXPLANATION
The safety and efficacy of the tetravalent inactivated split vaccine have been demonstrated in children over 6 months of age.
PED - 4.2
Against which infectious disease is not post-exposure prophylactic vaccination available?
A) Hepatitis A
B) Tetanus
C) Varicella
D) Pertussis
ANSWER
D) Pertussis
EXPLANATION
Post-exposure prophylaxis vaccination against pertussis is not available.
PED - 4.3
In case of injury with suspected tetanus infection, in addition to tetanus toxoid vaccination, the injured person should be given passive immunisation if the wound is severely damaged or contaminated with soil, a foreign body is present, in case of head injury, shock, bleeding, severe burn injury, radioactivity and if the time elapsed since the last vaccination of the person receiving the booster dose is more than:
A) 3 years
B) 5 years
C) 10 years
D) in all cases, the injured person must be given passive immunisation, regardless of the time elapsed since the previous tetanus vaccination
ANSWER
C) 10 years
EXPLANATION
As postulated in the National Centre for Public Health’s 2021 Methodology Letter on Vaccinations.
PED - 4.4
Minimum interval between therapeutic intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and live virus vaccine is:
A) 4 weeks
B) 3 months
C) 11 months
D) 2 years
ANSWER
C) 11 months
EXPLANATION
Different types of blood products made from human blood and/or plasma may contain specific immunoglobulins (IVIG products have specifically high levels) that neutralise the vaccine virus (measles, rubella, mumps, varicella).
PED - 4.5
Contraindications to vaccination, EXCEPT:
A) Convulsions in the family history
B) Febrile illness
C) Vaccination of a pregnant woman with a live virus vaccine
D) Suspected or existing congenital immunodeficiency
ANSWER
A) Convulsions in the family history
EXPLANATION
Convulsions in the family history should not be considered as a contraindication to vaccination
PED - 4.6
Administered as an oral vaccine:
A) DTaP
B) DTap + IPV + Hib
C) Varilrix/Varivax
D) Rotarix
ANSWER
D) Rotarix
EXPLANATION
Rotavirus vaccine is an oral suspension for oral use only.
PED - 4.7
Effective antibiotic against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, EXCEPT:
A) piperacillin / tazobactam
B) ceftazidime
C) ciprofloxacin
D) cefotaxime
ANSWER
D) cefotaxime
EXPLANATION
Among the third generation cephalosporins, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone are both ineffective against P. aeruginosa.
PED - 4.8
Common pathogens in endocarditis, EXCEPT:
A) Staphylococcus aureus
B) Alpha-hemolytic Streptococci
C) Enterococcus faecalis
D) Listeria monocytogenes
ANSWER
D) Listeria monocytogenes
EXPLANATION
Listeria monocytogenes is a short Gram-positive bacteria that causes self-limited gastroenteritis in otherwise healthy individuals. Also it can cause severe invasive illness including bacteremia, meningitis, meningoencephalitis but not endocarditis in susceptible patients like neonates, older persons, a patient with immunosuppression and pregnant women.
PED - 4.9
Antibiotic therapy expected to be effective against community-acquired MRSA infection:
A) amoxicillin/clavulanic acid
B) cefixime
C) co-trimoxazole
D) cefprozil
ANSWER
C) co-trimoxazole
EXPLANATION
Ciprofloxacin (which is not routinely recommended in children) and clindamycin could still be effective against CA-MRSA. The latter can only be used for definitive treatment, not for empirical therapy, as its sensitivity is around 20%. (Based on antibiotic susceptibility of MRSA isolates reported by NNK in 2017).
PED - 4.10
The minimum duration of intravenous treatment for paediatric osteomyelitis should ideally be:
A) intravenous treatment is not recommended
B) 3-4 days
C) 3-4 weeks
D) 6 weeks
ANSWER
B) 3-4 days
EXPLANATION
For uncomplicated osteomyelitis, the minimum duration of intravenous treatment is 3-4 days. If associated with bacteraemia, 4-7 days of intravenous treatment may be sufficient. After that, switching to oral therapy can be evaluated. (McMullan BJ et al. Antibiotic duration and timing of the switch from intravenous to oral route for bacterial infections in children, Lancet Infect Dis. 2016)
PED - 4.11
Extrapulmonary manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae may include:
A) acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
B) hepatitis
C) erythema multiforme
D) A, B and C are all correct
ANSWER
D) A, B and C are all correct
EXPLANATION
Extrapulmonary manifestations of M. pneumoniae infection can be very diverse. In addition to the examples listed above, other forms of neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, haematopoietic, musculoskeletal, respiratory, urogenital, and sensory disorders may occur.
PED - 4.12
A 13-month-old baby has monosymptomatic fever for 3 days. After resolution of fever maculopapular rash appears on the neck and torso which spread onto the limbs. The baby is in relatively good general condition throughout the course of the disease; appetite, fluid intake is not reduced. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Varicella
B) Exanthema subitum
C) Meningococcemia
D) Scarlet fever
ANSWER
B) Exanthema subitum
EXPLANATION
Exanthema subitum (roseola infantum, three-day-fever, sixth disease) is a common disease associated with rash in infancy. Its pathogens are HHV-6 and -7. It is also a common cause of febrile seizures in infancy and young children. In laboratory tests after initial leukocytosis, leukopenia, neutropenia, and a slight increase in serum GOT levels may occur.
PED - 4.13
Which therapy would you choose in RSV bronchiolitis?
A) dexamethasone
B) inhalatory ribavirin
C) supportive care only
D) remdesivir
ANSWER
C) supportive care only
EXPLANATION
Current evidence suggests the use of supportive care only.
PED - 4.14
A 7-year-old child is hospitalised for 5 days with fever and bloody diarrhoea. Which pathogen is unlikely based on the symptoms?
A) Campylobacter jejuni
B) Salmonella enterica enteritidis
C) EHEC
D) Rotavirus
ANSWER
D) Rotavirus
EXPLANATION
Rotavirus infection is not typically associated with bloody diarrhoea. Compared to adults, salmonellosis in children is more often associated with bloody stools.
PED - 4.15
For a 3 years old, febrile child, who is returning from a tropical vacation, which test should always be performed?
A) Dengue virus detection
B) Thick and thin smear
C) Stool culture
D) Pharyngeal swab culture
ANSWER
B) Thick and thin smear
EXPLANATION
In the case of a febrile illness following a tropical trip malaria should be ruled out on each occasion.
PED - 4.16
After camping in the forest a 7 years old child is presented with a 10 cm diameter ring-shaped, non-painful, mildly pruritic erythematous macule on the back of his neck. What antibiotic therapy should be recommended?
A) amoxicillin
B) doxycycline
C) azithromycin
D) streptomycin
ANSWER
A) amoxicillin
EXPLANATION
The lesion can be identified as erythema migrans, which is sufficient to make the diagnosis of Lyme disease. Adequate therapeutic response can be achieved with amoxicillin, while doxycycline is not recommended under 8 years of age.
PED - 4.17
A 18 month old child experiences sore throat, fever for 2 days, and loss of appetite. On physical examination, you notice enlarged tonsils with white patches and nodules. Which empirical antibiotic treatment do you recommend?
A) amoxicillin
B) amoxicillin-clavulanic acid
C) cefixime
D) you don’t recommend antibiotic therapy
ANSWER
D) you don’t recommend antibiotic therapy
EXPLANATION
Under the age of 3 years in case of acute tonsillopharyngitis the usual pathogens are viruses (eg. adenovirus).
PED - 4.18
A patient who came from Ukraine with unknown vaccination status temporarily gets better after a few days of fever, headache, and gastroenteric symptoms. After a few fever-free days, headache, neck and spinal pain, vegetative symptoms, and ascending paralytic flaccid paralysis appear. Which pathogen is essential to rule out?
A) Listeria monocytogenes
B) West Nile virus
C) Clostridium tetani
D) Poliovirus
ANSWER
D) Poliovirus
EXPLANATION
Among the pathogens listed, paralysis can be caused by Clostridium tetani and poliovirus. While C. tetani causes cramps in the affected muscles, poliovirus causes flaccid paralysis of the muscles.
PED - 4.19
A few hours after Christmas dinner, all members of a family (except the oldest sibling who is vegetarian) of a 9 years old patient are presented with vomiting and diarrhoea. How would you manage your 9 years old patient?
A) Start antibiotic therapy effective against Staphylococcus aureus, as it is the most likely pathogen
B) Start antibiotic therapy effective against Bacillus cereus, as it is the most likely pathogen
C) Put the patient in epidemiological isolation
D) If necessary initiate parenteral fluid replacement therapy
ANSWER
D) If necessary initiate parenteral fluid replacement therapy
EXPLANATION
Food poisoning is a disease typically mediated by preformed toxins. Accordingly, if only symptoms consistent with the toxin effect occur, antimicrobial therapy and epidemiological isolation of the patient are not required.
PED - 4.20
HIV infection can be transmitted through the following body secretions, EXCEPT
A) breast milk
B) blood
C) saliva
D) semen
E) vaginal secretions
ANSWER
C) saliva
EXPLANATION
HIV infection does not spread through saliva, but it does through the other body fluids listed. It is important to note that a properly treated HIV-positive mother can give life to a healthy newborn, and vertical infection can be avoided.
PED - 4.21
An 8 months old patient is referred to the emergency department with constipation, acute-onset hypotension and ptosis. An anamnesis recording reveals that 1 day earlier he consumed honey for the first time in his life. Which pathogen’s role is most likely?
A) Trichuris trichiura
B) Poliovirus
C) Neisseria meningitidis
D) Clostridium botulinum
E) Streptococcus agalactiae
ANSWER
D) Clostridium botulinum
EXPLANATION
In the intestinal tract of adults and older children Clostridium botulinum is unable to colonise and produce toxins, therefore consuming honey at these ages is not dangerous. However in babies even small amounts pose a risk for botulism. Honey put in a baby’s food, tea or put on a pacifier are all risky. At older ages the symptoms are caused by preformed toxins consumed with food (mainly raw or improperly cooked meat dishes prepared during the slaughter of domestic pigs).
PED - 4.22
What are TORCH pathogens?
A) Toxoplasma gondii, “Others”, Rubella Virus, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex Viruses
B) Toxoplasma gondii, “Others”, Rubella Virus, Chlamydia spp., Herpes Simplex Viruses
C) Toxoplasma gondii, “Others”, Rubella Virus, Chlamydia spp., Human Papilloma Viruses
D) Toxoplasma gondii, “Others”, Rubella Virus, Chlamydia spp., Human Immunodeficiency Virus
ANSWER
A) Toxoplasma gondii, “Others”, Rubella Virus, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes Simplex Viruses
EXPLANATION
The TORCH acronym is well known in neonatology.
PED - 4.23
Complications of intrauterine Zika-virus infection may include:
A) subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
B) microcephaly
C) chorioretinitis
D) saddle nose
ANSWER
B) microcephaly
EXPLANATION
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a neurological complication of measles, while saddle nose is characteristic of late congenital syphilis. Chorioretinitis can be a complication of many congenital infections, the most common of which are infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii and cytomegalovirus.
PED - 4.24
Peptidoglycan and glycopeptide. What are these?
A) antiretroviral drugs
B) component of certain cells and an antibiotic group
C) oral antidiabetics
D) antimycoticums
ANSWER
B) component of certain cells and an antibiotic group
EXPLANATION
Peptidoglycan is a polymer consisting of sugar and amino acid molecules that forms a layer outside the plasma membrane of most bacteria, forming the cell wall. Glycopeptides form one group of antibiotics. Members of this group are vancomycin, teicoplanin, corbomycin. Telavancin is a lipoglycopeptide type antibiotic.