Sketchy Micro: Haemophilus Influenzae Flashcards
What kind of bacteria is Haemophilus influenzae?
Gram-negative (think of the reddish hues of the candy shop!)
H. influenzae has a unique shape. What is it?
It is coccobacillary (think of the coccobacillary-shaped candy machine).
What agar can H. influenzae grow on?
A chocolate agar with factors 5 and 10 added
(Think of how Phyllis’s candy shop specializes in CHOCOLATE and how the coccobacillary candy sells for FIVE cents and the chocolate in the case sells for TEN cents.)
What are factors 5 and 10?
5 is NAD (think 5 cents is a nickel, and NICkel = NICotinamide)
10 is hematin (TEN = TIN)
What are the symptoms of the most classic H. influenzae infection?
Drooling, inspiratory wheeze, and cherry-red epiglottis
Think of the kid in front of the case who is drooling and dropped his cherry.
How is H. influenzae transmitted?
Via aerosolized droplets (like the aerosol that Phyllis is spraying at the bee)
Other than epiglottitis, H. influenzae can cause two important infections to know: _______________.
otitis media (represented by the kid with his fingers in his ears) and meningitis (represented by the kid in the space helmet)
What strain of H. influenzae causes meningitis?
The encapsulated, type B form (symbolized by the case-covered candies with the bee flying around it)
Patients who have ____________ are at increased risk of H. influenzae infection.
sickle cell (often post-splenectomy)
Think of the kids with the sickles.
Which strain of H. influenzae has a vaccine?
Type B (this fact is represented by the child with the astronaut costume who has a large needle on his belt –a space needle? – because he is closest to the case with the encapsulated covering)
The HIB vaccine is conjugated to _____________.
diphtheria toxin (represented by the sign advertising the sugar-DIPped cherries)
When do kids get the HIB vaccine?
Between 2 and 18 months (represented by the sale cherries for $2.18)
How should HIB infections be treated?
Ceftriaxone for active infections (represented by the kids with three axes on their backs) and rifampin for prophylaxis in those exposed to meningitis (like the healthy kid with the cowboy costume who has a rifle strapped to his back)
