Respiratory Flashcards
In which lung is an aspiration more likely to happen?
Right lower lung
The right bronchus is more vertical and wider so a foreign object is likely to fall down this path over the left bronchus
What cells are involved in the mucociliary apparatus?
Goblet cells - secrete mucus to trap pathogens
Ciliated columnar cells - move mucus towards main bronchi and trachea to be expelled by coughing or swallowed
How does the innate immune system act as a defence mechanism for the respiratory tract against inhaled pathogens?
Alveolar Macrophages - recognise microbes via surface receptors - immobilise + destroy bacteria
Type II alveolar cells - secrete surfactant proteins to enhance phagocytosis and agglutination of gram-positive bacteria
Neutrophils - chemoattraction to alveolar space - phagocytose bacteria and kill via respiratory burst
What are neuraminidase and haemaglutinin and is their function?
Glycoproteins on influenza membranes
Haemaglutinin binds to sialic acid receptors on host respiratory epithelial cells for fusion and neuraminidase cleaves sialic acid residues to promote release and spread of viruses
What is the role of spike proteins on coronavirus?
A glycoprotein that facilitates the fusion and penetration of host cell by binding to ACE2 along our airways
S1 - recognise and bind to receptors on the host cell
S2 - fuses envelope of the virus with the host cell membrane
What is Antigenic Drift?
Small changes or mutations in the genes of influenza virus that can lead to changes in the surface proteins of the virus - HA, NA
Loss or reduction in protection from existing antibodies and vaccines - susceptible to the flu again
What is Antigenic Shift?
A major change where 2 or more strains combine to form new subtypes of HA, NA glycoproteins
e.g. When an zoonotic virus gains the ability to infect humans
Normally would result in a pandemic, no previous immunity, occurs infrequently
How can soap kill corona virus?
Tear apart the lipid shell surrounding the virus to make the inside susceptible to our immune system
What is the role of furin in viruses?
A protease released by the golgi apparatus
Cleaves glycoproteins once bound to host cell to allow for fusion and penetration into membrane
Increasing infectious and pathogenic nature of virus
What are common pathogens that cause a sore throat?
Influenza, Rhinovirus, Coronavirus
Adenovirus
EBV
CMV
Strep A
What are infections of the URT?
Common cold
Tonsilitis
Laryngitis
Pharyngitis
Sinusitis
Otitis Media
Mainly viral pathogens as causative agent
What are infections of the LRT?
Pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Lung abscess
Bronchiolitis
Mainly bacteria pathogens as causative agent
How can you distinguish between URT and LRT infections?
URTI - normal chest x-ray and breath sounds on auscultation
Symptoms - runny nose, dry cough, headache, sore throat, sneezing, myalgia
LRTI - changes/consolidation on x-ray and coarse crackles on auscultation
Symptoms - productive cough, SOB, breathlessness, wheezing, tight chest
What is the most common infective cause of COPD exacerbations?
Haemophilus Influenzae
What is the common causative bacteria of Pneumonia in HIV?
Pneumocystis jiroveci - PCP
What is the common causative bacteria of Pneumonia in alcoholics and diabetics?
Klebsiella pneumoniae
What type of bacteria are asplenic patients more susceptible to and why? Give 3 examples.
Insufficient splenic macrophages to opsonise and phagocytose encapsulated bacteria
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Neisseria meningitis
What is the common causative bacteria of Pneumonia in someone recently exposed to air con and hot tubs?
Legionella pneumophilia
What is the difference between tuberculosis and sarcoidosis?
TB - caseating granuloma
Sarcoidosis - non-caseating granuloma
What are similarities in tuberculosis and sarcoidosis?
Granulomatous disease
Erythema nodosum
Hilar lymphadenopathy
Arthralgia
Systemic symptoms - fever, malaise, weight loss
Affect upper lobes of lungs
What is the management of active TB?
Isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide
for 2 months
Isoniazid and rifampicin for a further 6 months
Longer courses if extra-pulmonary TB, HIV, immunosuppressed
What is the pathophysiology of the primary infection in TB?
M.tuberculosis inhaled as aerosolized droplets
M.T lodge in the alveoli and engulfed by macrophages
M.T continues proliferating intracellulary
AM travels to lymph nodes = hilar lymphadenopathy
Granuloma forms with caseous necrosis (TNF-alpha and IFN-Gamma activate to mature macrophages) = ghon focus
If healthy patient - heals by fibrosis and disease becomes latent
Ranke complex once Ghon focus calcified
What is a Ghon complex?
Primary lesion/ghon focus in the lungs and hilar lymphadenopathy
What is secondary and miliary TB?
Secondary - reactivation of TB - cavitating lesions of upper lobes of lung + systemic symptoms (Weight loss, fever, haemoptysis)
Miliary - haematogenous spread of TB (Potts disease - in spinal cord, meninges, kidneys, hepititis)
Mainly in immunocompromised
How can TB be diagnosed?
Sputum Smear - 3 specimens on 3 different days - Ziehl-Neelsen - stain red
Sputum Culture - Lowenstein-Jensen media
Tuberculin/Mantoux Test - Purified Protein Deviate injected into skin - reaction if immune recognition of TB(positive in those who have had BCG)
IFN-Gamma Release Assay - measure response - can’t tell difference between latent or active TB
Which drug class is contra-indicated in TB and why?
TNF-alpha inhibitors
Disrupt granuloma formation and can reactivate TB
What is the common causative bacteria of Pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
What is the criteria for CURB 65?
C - confusion
Urea >7 mol
RR > 30/min
BP < 90/60
What result of CURB 65 would warrant consideration for hospital admission?
2+
What is the time frame for HAP?
Pneumonia occurring 48 hours or more after admission
What is the treatment for low severity CAP?
Amoxicillin - 500mg TDS for 5 days
If Penicillin allergy
- Doxycycline - 200mg loading dose + 100mg OD - 5 days total
- Clarithromycin 500mg BD for 5 days
What is the management after pneumonia has been treated?
Repeat chest x-ray 6 weeks after clinical resolution to ensure consolidation has resolved and no underlying secondary abnormalities
What is the management for moderate-severe CAP?
Dual antibiotic therapy for 7-10 days
Moderate: Amoxicillin + Doxycycline/Clarithromycin
Severe: Co-amoxiclav/Benzylpenicillin/Vancomycin + Clarithromycin
What are features of sputum from different causative bacteria?
Strep pneumonia - rust coloured
Psuedomonas - green
Klebsiella - redcurrant jelly
Anaerobes - bad smell/bad taste
How is an infective exacerbation of COPD treated?
Amoxicillin PO 500mg TDS for 5 days
Doxycycline 200mg stat dose day 1 - 100mg 4 days OD - if penicllin allergy
What are features of Klebsiella?
Common in alcoholics and diabetics
Red-currant jelly sputum
Often affects upper lobes
Commonly causes lung abscess formation and empyema
What are features of PCP - pneumocystis jiroveci?
Typically seen in HIV patients
Dry cough, exercise-induced desaturations, absence of chest signs
Clear chest - may hear end inspiratory crackles
Treated with co-trimoxazole
In which patients are at risk of staphylococcal pneumonia?
Intravenous drug users
Elderly patients
Patients who already have an influenza infection
What are features of mycoplasma pneumonia?
Flu like symptoms - flu, arthralgia, myalgia, dry cough and headache
Auto-immune manifestation - erythema multiforme, hepatitis, cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
Primarily affects younger patients.
Associated with erythema multiforme, stevens-johnson syndrome, guillain-barre syndrome
How can Legionella pneumonia present in a patient and on labs?
Hyponataemia + Deranged LFTs, Raised CK
Diarrhoea, vomiting
Typically travel related - hot tubs and air con
How often is the pneumococcal vaccine given in at-risk individuals?
5 years
What bacteria can cause pneumonia in patients exposed to birds, parrots etc?
Chlamydophilia psittaci
Associated fevers, joint pain, nose bleeds
What is Q fever?
Disease caused by Coxiella burnetii
From exposure to sheep and goats
Q fever = fever, myalgia, headache, hepatitis - can present as pneumonia
What are the histological classifications of pneumonia?
Lobar - affects one or more lobes of the lungs
Bronchopneumonia - affects patches throughout both lungs
How is aspiration pneumonia treated?
Amoxicillin/Clarithromycin and Metronidazole
How is HAP treated?
1st line - co-amoxiclav 500/125mg TDS 5 days
2nd line - doxycyline
What test can identify the Legionella antigen?
Urinary antigen testing
How is severe HAP with sepsis/non-responsive treated?
IV tazocin - piperacillin/tazobactam
What is the pathophysiology of Pneumonia?
Infection leads to inflammatory response
Inflammatory response leads to exudate formation and alveoli oedema
Consolidation forms in lung tissue
What are typical features of atypical pneumonia?
Often fever, headache, sweating, myalgia
Moderate sputum production, often no consolidation on CXR, small increase in WCC
Less likely to present with typical ‘resp’ symptoms
What are common causative bacteria of aspiration pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Staphylococcus aureus
Haemophilus influenzae
Enterobacteriaceae
Pseudomonas
Anaerobic bacteria
What is the inheritance pattern of cystic fibrosis and what is the mutation?
Autosomal recessive disorder
Mutation in CFTR gene on chromosome 7 - DF508 mutation
What is the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis?
CFTR protein - a channel that normally transports chloride ions out from mucus cells into mucus to attract water and make it less viscous
In CF - defective CFTR - chloride ions trapped in cell = mucus will be abnormally thick - builds up and obstructs organs. Chloride ions also stuck in sweat glands - unable to be reabsorbed - high chloride in sweat
What are symptoms of CF in a newborn?
Meconium ileus - rigid abdomen, green vomit, fever, can’t passed first stool
What are symptoms of CF in childhood?
Failure to thrive
Delayed puberty
Pancreatic insufficiency - pale stools, pancreatitis, gallstones
Chronic wet cough
Recurrent infections, pneumonia, bronchiectasis
What are symptoms of CF in adulthood?
Infertility
Amenorrhea
Clubbing
Diabetes
What are investigations for CF?
Heel prick test - screening at birth - detects IRT = pancreatic damage
Sweat test - chloride ion levels > 60
Genetic testing
Spirometry - obstructive disease - bronchiectasis
Faecal elastase
Sputum cultures
FBC
What can be seen on an x-ray in CF?
Bronchiectasis - tram-track lines
Hyperinflation
Soap bubbles
Ring shadows - clusters of cysts in upper lobes
What are common bacteria responsible for infections in CF?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Staphylococcus aureus
Haemophilus influenzae
Burkholderia cepacia
Aspergillus
How does Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor work to treat CF?
CFTR Modulators
Lumacaftor - increases the number of CFTR proteins on the cell surface
Ivacaftor - potentiator of CFTR to open channel and allow chloride ion to pass through
Which mucolytics are used in CF and how do they work?
Dornase alfa - Mucolytic peptide that cleaves DNA of mucus
Hypertonic saline - acts as a expectorant to increase airway surface fluid and improve clearance
What is Young Syndrome and what are the main differentials?
Characterised as…
- Male infertility
- Bronchiectasis
- Sinusitis
Differentials - CF, kartagener syndrome
What is Kartagener Syndrome?
Primary ciliary dyskinesia +
Situs inversus(or dextrocardia)
Bronchiectasis
What is the inheritance of primary ciliary dyskinesia?
Autosomal recessive disease producing defective cilia
= recurrent infections, sinusitis, otitis media, subfertily, bronchiectasis
What are symptoms related to the different URTI?
(rhinosinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, epiglottis, bronchitis, croup)
Rhinosinusitis - pain/pressure on face
Pharyngitis - sore throat
Tonsillitis - pain swallowing
Laryngitis - hoarse voice and dry cough
Epiglottitis - trouble breathing
Bronchitis - productive cough for up to 3 weeks, chest tightness, wheeze
Croup - harsh barking cough, stridor
What guides antibiotic treatment for acute bronchitis and what is the criteria?
CRP
20-100 - offer delayed prescription of doxycycline
>100 - prescribe doxycycline 5 days
How long do URTIs last?
Acute otitis media: 4 days
Acute sore throat/acute pharyngitis/acute tonsillitis: 1 week
Common cold: 1+1/2 weeks
Acute rhinosinusitis: 2+1/2 weeks
Acute cough/acute bronchitis: 3 weeks
What is part of the centor criteria that helps guide the decision of whether to prescribe abx in URTIs?
Presence of tonsillar exudate
Tender anterior cervical lymph nodes/ Lymphadenopathy or lymphadenitis
History of fever
Absence of cough
(3+ indicates to prescribe abx, also high chance strep A is causing sore throat)
When should immediate abx be prescribed in an URTI?
Systemically very unwell
Symptoms suggestive of serious illness
High risk complications due to co-morbidities
Children<2 with bilateral otitis media
Centor criteria 3+
>65 with acute cough + 2 of … hospitalisation in previous year, diabetes, CHF, steroid use
>80 with acute cough + 1 of … hospitalisation in previous year, diabetes, CHF, steroid use
What fibres in epithelial cells are involved in the cough reflex?
C fibres - chemical driven, inflammation
RAR - mechanically driven
SAR - mechanically driven
Send signals down vagus nerve
What is the mechanism behind the cough?
C fibres/RAR/SAR in respiratory epithelial cells stimulated - send signals down vagus nerve - reach tractus solitarus in the brainstem - goes to cough and respiratory pattern generator = synapse with efferent nerve fibres - output of cough
What can activate the tractus solitarus to stimulate a cough?
Vagus nerve - from respiratory epithelium
Ear, Heart, Oesophagus, Stomach
How do ACEi cause a dry cough as a side effect?
ACEi prevent the inactivation of bradykinin and cause it to accumulate in the respiratory tract.
Accumulation of bradykinins, substance P and prostaglandins act as chemical irritants of the c-fibres of the respiratory tract which induces the cough reflex
What are the 3 phases of the cough reflex?
Inspiratory phase
- glottis opens wide, diaphragm and external intercostal muscle contract, big breath in, increase pressure inside the lungs
Compress phase
- glottis closes, increase pressure in the lungs
Expiratory phase
- abdominal and internal intercostal muscles contract, glottis opens - air pushed out due to high pressure in the lungs = cough
Differentials for acute, sub-acute, chronic cough?
Acute < 3 weeks
- URTI
- Allergens
- PE
Sub-acute 3-8 weeks
- Post-infectious - covid, bronchitis
- ACEi
Chronic > 8 weeks
- COPD
- Asthma
- GORD
- Lung cancer
- TB
Causes of bronchiectasis?
Post-Infection: Tuberculosis; HIV; Measles; Pertussis; Pneumonia
Bronchial Pathology: Obstruction by foreign body or tumour
Allergic Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
Congenital: Cystic fibrosis; Kartagener’s syndrome; Primary ciliary dyskinesia; Young syndrome
Hypogammaglobulinaemia
Idiopathic
Features of bronchiectasis?
Productive cough - large amounts of purulent sputum
Dyspnoea
Haemoptysis
Halitosis
Coarse crackles
Wheeze
Clubbing
Spirometry - obstructive pattern
X-ray - thickened, dilated airways - tramtrack sign, ring shadows
CT scan - thickened, dilated airways, signet ring
What is the most common bacteria found in bronchiectasis?
Haemophilus influenzae
What is bronchiectasis?
Permanent dilation of bronchi due to irreversible destruction of the elastic and muscular components of the bronchial wall, causing them to dilate and thicken
What is the management of bronchiectasis?
Smoking cessation
Treat underlying disease
Chest physiotherapy
Postural drainage
Patient education
Antibiotics - 10-14 days - amoxicillin or ciprofloxacin
Bronchodilators
Immunisations
Surgery for localised disease
Carbocysteine
What is the pathophysiology behind asthma?
1.Dendritic cells pick up allergens from environmental triggers and present them to T helper 2 cells.
- TH2 cells produce IL-4 and IL-5.
- IL-4 + IL-13 leads to the production of IgE antibodies which stimulate the release of granules from mast cells. Histamine, leukotrienes and prostaglandins released in this type 1 hypersensitivity reaction to give the common symptoms known as allergies.
- IL-5 activate eosinophils which release more cytokines and leukotriene
What drugs can trigger asthma?
Beta blockers
NSAIDs
Aspirin
What is Samter’s triad?
Asthma
Nasal polyps
Aspirin sensitivity
What is the spirometry reading in asthma?
FEV1/FVC < 70%
FEV1 < 80%
Bronchodilator reversibility - FEV1 > 12% and 200ml after 20 min use with SABA
What other investigations are done in asthma after spirometry?
Peak flow - 20% variability QDS for 2-4 weeks
FeNO - 40ppm
Eosinophils > 0.15
Methocholine < 8mg/ml
Skin prick allergy test
IgE in blood
What is the step up for asthma treatment?
SABA
SABA + Low dose ICS
SABA + Low dose ICS + LABA
SABA + Medium dose ICS + LABA
SABA + Medium dose ICS + LABA + LTRA
What is the treatment for an acute exacerbation of asthma?
OSHITME
- Oxygen - 94-98%
- Salbutamol - 5mg nebs - driven by oxygen
- Hydrocortisone - give oral steroids if can swallow or IV if not, minimum 5 days
- Ipratropium - 500 micrograms nebs
CALL FOR SENIOR - Theophylline - give aminophylline IV bolus plus IV - specialist give only
- Magnesium - 1.2-2g IV infusion 20 minutes
- Escalate - need ITU if still unwell for non-invasive ventilation/mechanical
What is the discharge criteria following an acute exacerbation of asthma?
Stable on discharge meds for 12 - 24 hours with no nebulisers or oxygen
PEFR > 75% with diurnal variability of < 20%
Inhaler technique checked and recorded
What are features of a moderate asthma attack?
PEFR 50-75% best or predicted
Increasing symptoms
RR > 25 / min
Pulse > 110 bpm
What are features of a severe asthma attack?
PEFR 33 - 50% best or predicted
Can’t complete sentences
RR > 25/min
Pulse > 110 bpm
What are features of a life-threatening asthma attack?
PEFR < 33% best or predicted
Oxygen sats < 92%
Silent chest, cyanosis or feeble respiratory effort
Bradycardia, dysrhythmia or hypotension
Exhaustion, confusion or coma
Normal pCO2 - indicates exhaustion
What are features of a near fatal asthma attack?
Raised pCO2
Requiring mechanical ventilation with raised inflation pressures