Pseudomonas aeruginosa and CF (28/01/19)

Question 1

What causes cystic fibrosis?

Answer 1

Faulty CFTR gene (Cystic Fibrosis trans-membrane transporter)

Question 2

List the symptoms of cystic fibrosis.

Answer 2

SYMPTOMS

• Cough
• Chest infections
• Fatty diarrhoea (steatorrhoea)
• Poor weight gain

Question 3

Characteristics of Pseudomonas

Answer 3

CHARACTERISTICS

• Opportunistic, nosocomial pathogen
• Gram negative rod
• Single polar flagellum for motility
• 0.5-3.0 µm in size
• Commonly produces pyocyanin pigment

Question 4

Is pseudomonas part of the normal human flora?

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

What are the virulence factors of pseudomonas?

Answer 5

• Invasive
• Produces exotoxins
• requires minimal nutrients
• Makes extracellular proteases to assist in bacterial adhesion and invasion
• resists temp. change, high [salt], weak antiseptics and many antibiotics

Question 6

How is pseudomonas transmitted?

Answer 6

Through Biofilms (environmental sources like sinks and drains) and human transmission (person to person contact)

Question 7

What Medical conditions are caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

Answer 7

• Respiratory tract infections

- Bacteraemia/sepsis

Question 8

Where does pseudomonal colonise?

Answer 8

Mucus in LOWER respiratory tract then grows to cover epithelium

Question 9

Is there a benefit in prophylaxis against pseudomonal infection?

Answer 9

NO

Question 10

Treatment for pseudomonal infection?

Answer 10

Oral or inhaled antibiotics

Oral:
CIPROFLOXACIN(10-20 mg/kg for kids, and 30mg/kg up to 750mg max)

AZITHROMYCIN (10mg/kg)

Question 11

What is treatment for first pseudmonal infection?

Answer 11

CEFTAZIDIME and TOBRAMYCIN (then onto eradication)