Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Flashcards
What are the most common organisms that colonize the URT mucous membranes?
- Viridans Streptococci
- Beta-haemolytic Streptococci
- Streptococcus Pneumoniae
- Moraxella Catarrhalis
- Anaerobic Bacteria
- Yeasts
- Viruses
Pathogenesis of URTIs: ENTRY
- Ingestion (uncommon)
- Inoculation
- Inhalation (most common)
Pathogenesis of URTIs: ADHERENCE
- Fimbriae
- Surface polysaccharides
- Capsular components
Pathogenesis of URTIs: Function of AGGRESSINS
Allow proliferation of organism by evasion of host defenses
Pathogenesis of URTIs: AGGRESSINS
- IgA Protease
- Capsule
- Various enzymes
- Surface proteins
- CHO
Pathogenesis of URTIs: TOXINS
- Endotoxins
2. Exotoxins
What is the most frequent nasopharyngeal infection?
The “common cold”
Common Cold: Causative agents
- Rhinovirus
- Coronavirus
- Parainfluenza Virus
Common Cold: clinical course
Usually mild, self-limiting, catarrhal syndrome
Common Cold: Transmission
- Direct contact with surfaces / secretions
2. Inhalation
Common Cold: complications
A small number may be complicated by bacterial infections
What is pharyngitis?
Inflammation of the pharynx, usually due to infection
- may occur without tonsillitis
What typical triad is seen in Acute Pharyngitis?
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Pharyngeal inflammation
Pharyngitis: etiological agents Which class of agents is the most common cause?
Viruses!
Pharyngitis: etiological agents
Which specific viruses are causative agents?
- EBV
- adenovirus
- enterovirus
- Herpes Simplex
- rhinovirus
- coronavirus
- CMV
Pharyngitis: etiological agents
What can primary EBV infection cause?
Infectious Mononucleosis Syndrome
- multi-system disorder, presentation may include fever, pharyngitis, and adenopathy
Pharyngitis: etiological agents
What is the most common bacterial cause?
S. Pyogenes (Group A most common)
S. Pyogenes group C and group G also seen
Pharyngitis: etiological agents
Less common causative agents
- Arcanobacterium Haemolyticum
2. Corynebacterium Diptheriae
Pharyngitis: etiological agents
Other causative agents
- Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
- Mycoplasma Pneumoniae
- Chlamydiphilia Pneumoniae
How can the common cold lead to bacterial infection?
Two methods:
1. Damage cilia
2. Cause up-regulation of different receptors
Both make it easier for bacteria to bind
= not to bad infection that suddenly gets worse (added bacterial superinfection)
What is the most common cause of pharyngitis in school aged children?
Group A Streptococcus Pyogenes
What two main complications are seen as a result of infection with Group A Streptococcus?
- Rheumatic Fever
2. Glomerulonephritis
What happens if EBV is treated incorrectly with Ampicillin?
It precipitates a rash
Pharyngitis Caused by Streptococcus Pyogenes:
Microbial classification
Gram positive cocci in chains
- Group A Beta-haemolytic streptococcus
Pharyngitis Caused by Streptococcus Pyogenes:
Clinical Features
- fever
- sore throat
- enlarged regional lymph nodes
- bright red pharynx; inflamed and oedematous pharyngeal mucosa
- exudates may be present
- can have tonsillitis with pus in the follicles
Pharyngitis Caused by Streptococcus Pyogenes: Diagnosis
Difficult to distinguish from viral causes.
- Gold Standard: throat swab for culture (not widely feasible in SA)
- RADTs: rapid antigen detection tests (not as sensitive and expensive)