pathology of respiratory tract infections

Question 1

what is meant by microorganism pathogenicity ?

Answer 1

invasiveness of pathogens
3 types -primary(highly invasive, establish infections in healthy individuals
-facultative
-opportunistic(low invasiveness, manage to establish infection if
immunity is compromised)

Question 2

what are some common upper respiratory tract infections ?

Answer 2

common cold, sore throat syndrome, acute laryngotracheobronchitis, laryngitis, sinusitis and acute epiglottis

Question 3

whats a distinct characteristic of a child suffering with acute epiglottis?

Answer 3

red, cherry like swollen epiglottis in children with breathing difficulties

Question 4

what are some common lower respiratory tract infections?

Answer 4

bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia

Question 5

what is the macrophage-mucocilliary escalator system?

Answer 5

defence mechanism of the lungs
compromised of 3 things -alveolar macrophages
-muccociliary escalator
-cough reflex

Question 6

what are the 3 classifications of pneumonia?

Answer 6

anatomical- which bit of the lung is infected?
aetiological- community acquired/hospital acquired/atypical/immunocompromised/recurrent pneumonia
microbiological- which organism caused the infection? this helps predict appropriate treatment

Question 7

describe the 4 patterns of pneumonia

Answer 7

bronchopneumonia- both lungs, usually lower zones, characteristic in patients with COPD and seen as bilateral basal patchy opacification in X-rays
segmental- one part of the lobe affected
lobar- one or more loaves affected
hypostatic- lower zones of both lungs affected, includes other diseases like cardiac failure or COPD

Question 8

what are some complications of pneumonia ?

Answer 8

pleurisy, pleural effusion, empyema, mass lesions, lung abscess, bronchiectasis and obstruction of small airways