Bacterial Infections - Childhood

Question 1

Diphtheria

Answer 1

• Corynebacterium diphtheria
• aerobic G+ rod
• necrotizing upper respiratory tract infection
• effective vaccination with toxoid
• begins on tonsils as sore throat/general illness, then progresses to heart and neural involvement

Question 2

Pertussis

Answer 2

• paroxysmal coughing followed by long, high pitched inspiration (WHOOP)
• bordetella pertussis (G- coccobacillus)
• tracheobronchitis with necrosis of ciliated respiratory epithelium
  1) catarrhal stage - low grade fever, runny nose, conjunctivitis and cough
  2) paroxysmal stage - 1 wk in, cough worsens, lymphocytosis
  3) convalescent stage - several wks

Question 3

Haemophilus influenzae

Answer 3

• pyogenic infection
• involves middle ear, sinuses, facial skin, epiglottis, meninges, lungs, and joints
• leading cause of meningitis worldwide
• aerobic G- coccobacillus (w or w/out capsule)
• Type B encapsulated more virulent

Question 4

Neisseria meningitides

Answer 4

• causes pyogenic meningitis and shock
• meningococcus with disturbances in coagulation
• aerobic G- cocci
• Rarely, Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome - hemorrhagic necrosis of both adrenals