175: Gonorrhea, Mycoplasma and Vaginosis Flashcards
(199 cards)
What is the most common reported STD in the US and its significance in women?
Chlamydia is currently the most common reported STD in the US and the most common cause of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women.
What is the primary bacterium responsible for gonorrhea and its characteristics?
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a gram-negative, aerobic, coccus-shaped bacterium found in pairs and visualized intracellularly within polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
What are the major risk factors for acquiring gonococcal infection?
The major risk factors for acquiring gonococcal infection include:
1. New or multiple sex partners
2. Younger age
3. Unmarried status
4. Commercial sex work
5. Minority ethnicity (African Americans)
6. Substance and alcohol abuse
7. Inconsistent condom use
8. Any previous STD infection
What is the incubation period for gonorrhea in men and the common symptoms?
The incubation period for gonorrhea in men is 2-8 days, and most infections are symptomatic by 2 weeks of exposure. The most common manifestation is urethritis, characterized by spontaneous, profuse, cloudy, or purulent discharge from the penile meatus.
What percentage of women with gonorrhea are asymptomatic and what is the common site of local infection?
Approximately 50% of women with gonorrhea are asymptomatic. The common site of local infection is the endocervix, with Bartholin and Skene glands also being involved.
What is the primary site of attachment for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the human body?
The primary site of attachment for Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the mucosal cells of the male and female urogenital tract.
What is the significance of early and appropriate antimicrobial therapy for STDs?
Early and appropriate antimicrobial therapy for STDs results in a good prognosis, reducing the risk of complications and further transmission.
What are the clinical implications of high-risk patients often having coinfection with multiple STDs?
High-risk patients with coinfection of multiple STDs may experience more severe symptoms, increased risk of complications, and a higher likelihood of transmission to others, necessitating comprehensive screening and treatment.
What is the role of pili and fimbriae in the pathogenesis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae?
Pili and fimbriae facilitate the bacterial attachment to columnar epithelial cells, which is crucial for the colonization and infection process of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
How does the epidemiology of gonorrhea in the US reflect on the demographics of affected individuals?
The epidemiology of gonorrhea shows that the highest rates of gonococcal infections are among sexually active teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 24 years, indicating a need for targeted prevention and education efforts in this demographic.
What diagnostic methods are used for gonorrhea and other STDs?
Diagnostic methods for gonorrhea and other STDs include direct microscopy, culture, and newer diagnostic methods such as nucleic acid amplification tests.
What is the significance of recidivism in the context of gonorrhea infections?
Recidivism, or the recurrence of gonorrhea infections, is an important risk factor for acquiring new gonococcal infections, highlighting the need for effective treatment and prevention strategies to reduce reinfection rates.
What are the common symptoms of urethritis caused by N. Gonorrhoeae?
Common symptoms include:
- Mucopurulent discharge
- Vaginal pruritus
- Dysuria
Vaginitis does not occur in sexually mature women except in prepubertal and postmenopausal cases.
What are the symptoms of proctitis associated with gonorrhea, particularly in MSM?
Symptoms of proctitis include:
1. Rectal mucopurulent discharge
2. Pain on defecation
3. Constipation
4. Tenesmus
MSM are at higher risk due to damaged anorectal epithelial integrity and local recruitment of HIV target cell types.
What is the classic triad of symptoms associated with disseminated gonococcal infection (gonococcemia)?
The classic triad of symptoms includes:
1. Dermatitis
2. Migratory polyarthritis
3. Tenosynovitis
The condition occurs in 0.5% to 3% of cases.
What are the key characteristics of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women with gonorrhea?
PID is characterized by:
1. Fever
2. Lower abdominal pain
3. Back pain
4. Vomiting
5. Vaginal bleeding
6. Dyspareunia
7. Adnexal or cervical tenderness during pelvic examination
Sequela of untreated infection includes:
1. Tubo-ovarian abscesses
2. Ectopic pregnancies (PERMANENT)
3. Chronic pelvic pain
4. Infertility (PERMANENT)
What is Fitz Hugh Curtis syndrome and its association with PID?
Fitz Hugh Curtis syndrome is inflammation of the liver capsule associated with genitourinary tract infection. It presents in up to ¼ of women with PID caused by either N. gonorrhoeae or C. trachomatis, with symptoms including:
1. RUQ pain
2. RUQ tenderness
3. Abnormal liver function tests (LFTs)
Differential Diagnosis: Acute viral hepatitis.
What are the symptoms of pharyngitis related to gonorrhea?
Symptoms of pharyngitis can range from:
- Cervical lymphadenopathy
- Mild to moderate pharyngeal erythema
- Severe ulceration with pseudomembrane formation
What are the clinical features of tenosynovitis in the context of gonorrhea?
Clinical features of tenosynovitis include:
- Pain and swelling of the synovium or fluid-filled capsule surrounding a tendon
- Involvement of single or multiple joints asymmetrically
- True septic arthritis by gonorrhea is typically MONOarticular or PAUCIarticular.
Diagnosis: Clinical evaluation including cell count, gram stain, and culture of synovial fluid from affected joints.
A 25-year-old sexually active woman presents with lower abdominal pain, fever, and vaginal bleeding. What is the likely diagnosis, and what are the potential complications if untreated?
The likely diagnosis is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Potential complications include tubo-ovarian abscesses, ectopic pregnancies, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility.
A male patient presents with painful defecation and rectal mucopurulent discharge. What is the likely diagnosis, and which population is at higher risk?
The likely diagnosis is proctitis. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at higher risk due to damaged anorectal epithelial integrity.
A patient with a history of multiple sexual partners presents with RUQ pain and abnormal liver function tests. What is the likely diagnosis, and what condition should be ruled out?
The likely diagnosis is Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome. Acute viral hepatitis should be ruled out.
A patient presents with a painless, nonpruritic rash on the palms and soles. What is the likely condition, and what is the causative organism?
The likely condition is disseminated gonococcal infection with dermatitis. The causative organism is Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
A patient with a history of gonorrhea presents with fever, lower abdominal pain, and adnexal tenderness. What is the likely diagnosis, and what is the recommended treatment?
The likely diagnosis is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Treatment includes a combination of antibiotics as per CDC guidelines.