Spirochetes Flashcards

1
Q

What lab findings are useful to help diagnose Borrelia burgdorferi? (3)

A

loosely coiled motile spirochete visualized by dark field microscopy or Giesma stain, but cultures of human samples are rarely positive; IgM or IgG antibodies in serum; PCR available.

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2
Q

What is the classic skin symptom of Lyme disease and how is it characterized?

A

erythema chronicum migricans. An expanding bulls eye red rash with central clearing.

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3
Q

What are the manifestations in stage two Lyme disease? (2)

A

neurologic and cardiac manifestations

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4
Q

What is the presentation of stage three Lyme disease? (1)

A

autoimmune migratory polyarthritis

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5
Q

What are the clinical features of 2nd degree syphilis? (4)

A

fever, lymphadenopath, skin rashes, condylomata lata

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6
Q

What symptoms are characteristic of end state syphilis? (4)

A

gummas, aortitis, neurosyphilis (tabes dorsalis), Argyll Robertson pupil

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7
Q

What are the clinical stages of Borrelia burgdorferi? (3)

A

lyme disease. Primary-erythema migrans (bulls eye lesion)a, flu-like symptoms. Secondary-months later, cardiovascular (heart block) and neurological (Bell’s palsy) syptoms. Tertiary-arthritis of large joints, especially knee joint.

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8
Q

What is the morphology of Leptospira interrogans?

A

spirochete

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9
Q

What are the clinical manifestations of Leptospira interrogans? (2)

A

well’s disease leptospirosis)-7-13 day incubation followed by fever, chills and intense headache which resolve. Second part of illness resembles aseptic meningitis with serious vasculitis jaundice, uremia.

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10
Q

How is Treponema pallidum transmitted? (2)

A

direct contact with lesion on mucous membranes. Also, mother to fetus (vertical) transmission.

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11
Q

How does Treponema pallidum gram stain?

A

negative

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12
Q

What is the morphology of Treponema pallidum?

A

spirochete (thin walled, flexible, motile spiral rods)

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13
Q

microbiology Vignettes: Middle-age man has acute monoarticular joint pain and bilateral Bells palsy. What diease and how?

A

lyme, ixodes tick

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14
Q

What are the symptoms of stage one Lyme disease? (2)

A

erythema chronicum migricans, flu-like symptoms

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15
Q

Identify the major toxicity factor associated with Treponema pallidum.

A

antigens induce antibodies that react with cardiolipin

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16
Q

Where in the US is Lyme disease common?

A

northeast (named after Lyme, Connecticut)

17
Q

How is Leptospira Interrogans transmitted?

A

swimming in or drinking water contaminated by animal urine (rats, dogs, cows).

18
Q

What lab findings are useful to help diagnose Treponema pallidum? (3)

A

cannot be grown on artificial media; Test is for anti-cardiollpin antibodies (RPL, VDRL tests); confirmation with other serological tests.

19
Q

What is the morphology of Borrelia burgdorferi?

A

spirochete

20
Q

What is the major reservoir for Borrelia burgdorferi?

A

white tailed deer

21
Q

How is Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted?

A

deer-tick bite

22
Q

What lab findings are useful to help diagnose Leptospira interrogans? (2)

A

tightly coiled spirochete only visible with dark field microscopy; only occasionally cultured from humans.

23
Q

What are the clinical manifestations of Treponema pallidum? (4)

A

congenital syyphilis-impaired vision, hearing and notched teeth. Primary syphilis-hard, non tender primary lesion appears after a few weeks and is highly infectious. Secondary-a few month after primary lesion has gone, maculopapulary rash on palms and soles or moist papules on body; condylomata lata; can spontaneously heal. Tertiary-1/3 will progress to granulomas anywhere skin, bones; gummas in brain, ascending aortic aneurisms.

24
Q

Treponemes are what type of organism?

A

spirochetes

25
Q

What doe VDRL detect? What disease is it used for?

A

nonspecific antibody that reacts with beef cardiolipin. Used for diagnosis of syphilis.

26
Q

How is Treponema visualized? Why?

A

dark-field microscopy, but only viewed after silver staining or with immunofluorescence. Very thin-walled structure.