Respiratory Infections Flashcards
1
Q
Dominating bacteria of the respiratory tract.
A
Alpha streptococci
2
Q
Pharyngitis
A
“Sore throat”
- Mostly a viral infection > bacterial > Chlamydia/Mycoplasma > Unknown
- ABs are commonly prescribed, but is infective towards viruses
3
Q
Common Cold
A
- Caused by many different viruses
- No vaccine (b/c it is mild)
- Rhinovirus (30-50%)
- Coronavirus (15-20%)
4
Q
Rhinovirus
A
- Non-enveloped RNA virus; causative agent for >50% of common colds
- > 100 serotypes are classified into 3 classes based on the receptor they bind to (90% to ICAM-1)
- Transmitted mostly by direct contact (sometimes droplets)
- Optimal growth = 33C / No growth @ 37C
- Only grows in Upper RT, especially nose area
- Incubation period = 10-12 hours
- Self-limiting
- No vaccines or antivirals; able to take symptomatic medication (antihistamines)
5
Q
Infectious Mono
A
- “Kissing disease” due to transmission via saliva
- Primarily caused by EBV (HHV-4), remains latent
- Systemic effects on cardio + lymph sys.
- Very young = mild/sub-clinical infection
- Older = severe
- Virus sheds intermittently from salvia through life
- Heterophile ABs are produced + used for diagnostic lab tests (monospot)
- Complications: ampicillin rash if infected and given beta-lactam ABs
6
Q
Burkitt’s Lymphoma
A
- Associated w/ EBV + malaria endemic areas
- Most common type of childhood cancer in Africa
7
Q
Streptococcal pharyngitis (Strep Throat)
A
- Caused only by GAS (streptococcus pyogenes; beta-hemolytic)
- LAB TESTS ARE NEEDED to differentiate from other types of infection
- Need to treat all cases of S. pyogenes pharyngitis w/ ABs to prevent sequalae
8
Q
Scarlet Fever
A
If an individual has Strep Throat with a strain of S. pyogenes that produces erythrogenic toxin
- Pinkish-red sandpaper-like skin rash
- High fever
- Strawberry tongue (painful; loses upper membrane, becomes inflamed)
- Varies in severity, may progress to Glomerulonephritis or Rheumatic fever
9
Q
Rheumatic Fever
A
Non-infectious complication of S. pyogenes infection
- Occurs due to cross-reactivity of bacterial antigens w/ tissue antigens + T-lymphocyte invasion
- Cause of ~40% of cases w/ rhematic heart disease (often mitral valve damage)
10
Q
Diphtheria
A
- Caused by Corynebacterium diptheriae (aerobic Gram + bacillus, non-spore forming)
- Produces exotoxin that causes death of epithelial cells in the throat (due to inhibition of protein synthesis) AND lysogenized by a bacteriophage
- Was once the leading cause of mortality in children until vaccination
- Common in the tropics
- Symptoms: sore throat, fever, malaise, “bull neck”, thick grey membrane/pseudomembrane (may cause suffocation if it detaches and blocks bronchioles/airways)
- Treatment: ABs + antitoxins
- Vaccine: dTap (Tetanus toxoid)
11
Q
Otitis media
A
Middle ear infections
- Caused by Moraxella catarrhalis (Gram (-) diplococci)
- Also caused by S. aureus, “cold viruses”, S. pyogenes
- Common in children
12
Q
Corynebacterium diptheriae
A
Aerobic, Gram (+) bacillus, non-spore forming
- Most are non-pathogenic, unless lysogenized by bacteriophage
- Causes diphtheria
13
Q
What are the common causes of bacterial URT infections? Gram morphology.
A
- Streptococci pneumoniae (Gram (-) diplococci)
- Haemophillus influenzae (Gram (-) bacillus)
- Moraxella catarrhalis (Gram (-) diplococci)
14
Q
Whooping Cough (100 days cough)
A
- Caused by Bordetella pertussis, which produces many exotoxins + colonizes in ciliated respiratory epithelium
- Aerobic, gram (-) coccobacillus
- Transmitted by droplets
- 3 stages: Catarrhal (cold-like), Paroxysmal (gasping cough), Convalescence (healing)
- Infants are at higher risk of broken ribs, pertussis pneumonia, oxygen depravation
- Pathogenicity: FTA filamentous hemagglutinin (adherence), pertussis toxin (diffuses into bloodstream causing systemic effects; fever), tracheal cytotoxin (damages ciliated cells; cough), lethal toxin (tissue necrosis), Adenylate cyclase (reduces phagocytotic activity), LPS
- Treatment is only effective if diagnosed in Catarrhal stage
- Afterwards, it is ineffective and only reduces infectivity
- New acellular vaccine (against toxins) that is combined with dTap
- Require 5 doses
- Vaccination of mothers before birth (since babies have more IgA ABs @ birth)
15
Q
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
A
- Bacillus, non-motile, ZN stain
- Strict aerobe
- Has mycolic acid in cell wall, allowing it to repel water + stay on dry surfaces for long time
- Capable of intracellular survival + growth in macrophages
- No toxin produced
- Production of cord factor (clumps bacteria together + inhibit phagocytosis; toxic to host cells)
- Airborne transmission