(PM3A) Bacterial Infections Flashcards
Describe the structure of gram positive bacteria.
(1) Simple structure
(2) 50% Peptidoglycan
(3) 40-45% acidic polymer
(4) 5-10% proteins & polysaccharides
Describe the structure of gram negative bacteria.
(1) Complex structure
(2) Periplasmic space
(3) Thin peptidoglycan layer
(4) Outer membrane
(5) Complex polysaccharides
Name 2 types of gram positive bacteria. Describe their shape. Can these also be gram negative?
(1) Cocci - spherical
(2) Bacilli - rods
Yes, bacilli and cocci can also be gram negative
What are the 2 types of cocci.
(1) Staphylococci - clusters
(2) Streptococci - pairs/ chains
How many types of cocci are there?
Two.
Staphylo and Strepto
(1) What are the two types of streptococci?
(2) What are the differences?
(1) Hemolytic and non-haemolytic
(2) Hemolytic can break down blood cells
What is S. pneumoniae? Is it vaccinated?
A hemolytic streptococci (bacteria)
Vaccinated
What are the 4 types of bacilli?
(1) Spore-forming
(2) Non-spore-forming
(3) Branching
(4) Acid-fast
What type of bacteria are aerobic and anaerobic bacteria?
Spore-forming bacilli
Give an example of a spore-forming anaerobic bacteria.
C. tetani
Bacilli
What type of bacteria is C. tetani? Is it vaccinated?
Anaerobic spore-forming bacilli
Vaccinated.
What are the different types of non-spore-forming bacilli? Give an example genus for both.
(1) Motile - Listeria
(2) Non-motile - Lactobacilli/ Corynebacteria
What is C. diphtheriae? Is it vaccinated?
A non-motile non-spore-forming bacilli
Vaccinated
Name an example of an acid-fast bacteria. Give an example of one. Is it vaccinated?
Mycobacteria
M. tuberculosis
No longer vaccinated.
What is M. tuberculosis? Is it vaccinated?
A mycobacteria.
No longer vaccinated
Describe M. tuberculosis.
(1) Mycobacteria
(2) Acid-fast
(3) Bacilli
(4) Gram-positive
Describe C. diphtheriae.
(1) Non-motile
(2) Non-spore-forming
(3) Bacilli
(4) Gram-positive
Describe C. tetani.
(1) Anaerobic
(2) Spore-forming
(3) Bacilli
(4) Gram-positive
Describe S. pneumoniae.
(1) Hemolytic
(2) Streptococci - pairs/ chains
(3) Cocci
(4) Gram-positive
Name two types of gram negative bacteria. Can these also be gram positive?
(1) Cocci
(2) Bacilli
Yes, bacilli and cocci can also be gram positive.
What is N. meningitidis? Is it vaccinated?
A bacterium of the Neisseria genus.
Vaccinated
What are the 3 types of gram negative bacilli?
(1) Coccobacilli
(2) Long-rods
(3) Curved/ spiral rods
(1) What are two coccobacilli that are vaccinated against?
(2) Are they gram positive or gram negative?
(1) B. pertussis and H. influenzae
(2) Gram negative
What are the 3 types of long-rod bacilli?
(1) Enterobacteria: (non)lactose-fermenting
(2) Bacteroides
(3) Pseudomonas
What are 3 types of curved/ spiral rod bacilli?
(1) Campylobacter
(2) Helicobacter
(3) Vibrio
What is the mechanism of action of penicillins?
Inhibition of cell wall synthesis
It is a beta lactam
What is the mechanism of action of macrolides?
50S protein synthesis inhibition
What is the mechanism of action of tetracyclines?
30S protein synthesis inhibition
Name 5 ways that bacteria may have developed antibiotic resistance.
(1) Impermeability to antibiotic
(2) Efflux pumps - to remove antibiotic
(3) Degradation - conversion of antibiotic to inactive form
(4) Change in antibiotic’s target structure
(5) Altered metabolism/ use of an alternative pathway
When does the UK routine immunisation schedule begin and end (age of patient)?
8 months –> 70 years
Name 7 ways to reduce antibiotic resistance.
(1) Surveillance/ guidance
(2) Antimicrobial stewardship
(3) Increasing awareness
(4) Training/ education
(5) Research into diagnosis + treatment
(6) Drug development
(7) International collaboration
What are the causes of a lower UTI?
Commonly bacteria
- Usually E. coli in bladder/ urethra from GIT
What are the risk factors for a lower UTI?
(1) Females - urinary system + GIT in close proximity
(2) Sexual activity
(3) Pregnancy
(4) Genetic predisposition
(5) Post-menopausal
(6) Diabetes
What are the symptoms of a lower UTI?
(1) Increased urination frequency - polyuria
(2) Burning in urination - dysuria
(3) Cloudy urine
(4) Strong-smelling urine
(5) Lower abdominal discomfort
What is the first line treatment for a lower UTI?
For women:
- Nitrofurantoin - 100 mg M/R - BD - 3 day course (increase duration if pregnant)
What is the second line treatment for a lower UTI?
Fosfomycin/ pivmecillinam
What is the most common cause of an infection in the GIT?
Faecal-oral transmission
What is the treatment for MOST GIT infections?
No treatment - normally self-limiting
Stay hydrated
Name a bacteria that can infect the stomach.
H. pylori
What organs comprise the small intestine?
(1) Duodenum
(2) Jejunum
(3) Ileum
(1) Where does an H. pylori infection often take place?
(2) What is the treatment for infection with this bacteria?
(1) Stomach
(2) PPI + Clarithromycin/ metronidazole + amoxicillin for a duration of 7 days
(1) What is infective endocarditis?
(2) What is its rarity?
Bacterial (usually) infection of the heart, often valves
Rare
What are the most common causes of infective endocarditis?
(1) Strep
(2) S. aureus
What are the symptoms of infective endocarditis?
(1) Fever/ chills
(2) Heart murmurs
(3) Fatigue
(4) Cough
(5) SOB
(6) Headache
(7) Night sweats
What is the treatment for infective endocarditis?
If strep:
- A penicillin + gentamicin
If staph:
- A penicillin + flucloxacillin
When is penicillin required for infective endocarditis?
Always
In addition to gentamicin/ flucloxacillin
Under what conditions is flucloxacillin required for treatment of infective endocarditis?
(1) Staph infection
(2) As well as a penicillin
Under what conditions is gentamicin required for treatment of infective endocarditis?
(1) Strep infection
(2) As well as a penicillin
How does treatment for serious infective endocarditis differ from normal treatment?
(1) Ampicillin for 2-6 weeks
(2) Surgery if necessary
What is bacterial vaginosis often mistaken for?
Thrush
What is the rarity of bacterial vaginosis?
Common
What is the cause of bacterial vaginosis?
(1) Overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina
(2) Anaerobic bacteria
What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis?
Discharge:
- White/ pale grey discharge
- Milky discharge
- Fishy-smelling
What is the treatment for bacterial vaginosis?
- Metronidazole
- Oral
- 400mg
- BD
- 5-7 day treatment
- Can be a 2g single dose of metronidazole gel
Is itching/ burning/ irritation usually present in bacterial vaginosis?
No.
What are the similarities and differences in symptoms between bacterial vaginosis and thrush (candidiasis)?
(1) Similarities:
- Increased vaginal discharge
- White discharge
(2) Differences:
- BV discharge can be grey
- Discharge in BV is smooth, thrush is curded
- BV smells fishy, thrush no odour
- Thrush itches + burns, BV does not
Which skin layer(s) does acne affect?
Epidermis - hair follicle
Which skin layer(s) does impetigo affect?
Epidermis
Which skin layer(s) does cellulitis affect?
(1) Dermis
(2) Subcutaneous fat
What infections affect the epidermis?
(1) Acne - hair follicle
(2) Impetigo