REVIEW: Streptococcus Pneumonia Flashcards
Know the following characteristics about Streptococcus pneumoniae: Genus and species name Gram reaction Cell shape Disease name Transmission Virulence factors Clinical symptoms of disease Treatment
Genus name: Streptococcus species name:pneumoniae Gram reaction: + Cell shape: coccus Disease name: pneumonia
Transmission:Air droplets person to person
Inhale encapsulated strain
Host must be susceptible
Virulence factors:Polysaccharide capsule:
more than 80 types(strains)
capsule is directly responsible for infection
unencapsulated strains are not pathogenic
Clinical symptoms of disease:Fever, chills
Shortness of breath, chest pain
Productive cough: sputum is thick, mucus-filled, pus, bacteria, dead tissue, blood
Alveoli fill with exudate
Treatment:Penicillin drug of choice
Early treatment best
Be able to translate the organism’s genus and species name into the English language as given in class.
Streptococcus - chain former / round shape
pneumonia - pneumonia / lungs
What virulence factor is directly responsible for this bacteria establishing infection?
capsule is directly responsible for infection
What are the two forms of the vaccine for Pneumococcal pneumonia?
Two Forms:
Adult Vaccine:
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
primarily for older adults
help control incidence of disease
made from 23 capsular Ags
Infant/Toddler Vaccine:
For children up to age 5
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Protection for 3 years
What is pneumococcal disease in infants and toddlers?
Pneumococcal disease in children under age 5 Over 700 cases of meningitis 17,000 blood infections 5 million ear infections Children under age 2 at highest risk Prevention very important
Why is pneumococcal pneumonia usually a secondary infection in the lower respiratory tract?
Secondary infection: infection results due to an underlying infection or drug/alcohol abuse
What protective feature of the lower respiratory tract helps to protect an individual from pneumococcal pneumonia?
Mucociliary escalator effective in protecting lungs
What age group is most at risk for Pneumococcal pneumonia?
Children under age 2 at highest risk
What is meant by the expression “a patient is literally drowning on their own body fluid” with pneumococcal pneumonia?
Exudate is fluid that leaks out of blood vessels into tissue.
Patient suffocates on own body fluid(exudate)
No gas exchange occurs in exudate
Inflammatory response causes pain (pleurisy)
What is a rusty sputum?
sputum that has blood in it
What is exudate?
Exudate is fluid
Leaks out of blood vessels into tissue
May ooze from cuts, area of infection, or inflammation
What is bronchial pneumonia?
pneumonia in the bronchial
What is lobar pneumonia?
in only one lung/lobe
What is double pneumonia?
pneumonia in both lungs
