Specific bacterial infections Flashcards
What usually accompanies meningococcal septicaemia?
Purpuric rash which may start anywhere on body and then spread.
(characteristic lesion = non-blanching, irregular in size and outline and have necrotic centre.)
Where is strep. pneumoniae often found?
In nasopharynx of healthy children
What diseases can pneumococcal infection cause?
- Pharyngitis
- Otitis media
- Conjunctivitis
- Sinusitis
- Invasive disease (Pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis)
What has decreased the incidence of invasive disease caused by pneumococcal infection?
13-valent pneumococcal vaccine included in standard immunisations.
Who should be given prophylactic penicillin to prevent pneumococcal infection?
Children at increased risk of infection - immunosuppressed or Hyposplenism
What important causes of systemic infection has decreased due to immunisations?
Haemophilus influenzae b
Pneumococcal infection
What organisms can cause disease using ‘superantigen’ and how does this happen?
Staphylococci and group A strep.
Release toxins which act as ‘superantigen’ - bind to part of T-cell receptor shared by many T cells - stimulates massive T cell proliferation and cytokine release.
What type of bacteria is neisseria meningitidis?
Gram negative diplococcus
What type of bacteria is strep pneumoniae?
Grame positive, alpha-haemolytic, anaerobic, lancet-shaped diplococci.
What type of bacteria is h. influenzae?
Gram negative coccobacillus (between cocci and bacilli)
What type of bacteria is staphylococcus?
Gram positive cocci (form clusters)
