24 Bacterial Pathogens III - Genitourinary Tract Infections

Question 1

How do pathogens of the genitourinary tract get transmitted?

Answer 1

Direct contact

Question 2

Most significant genitourinary pathogen route?

Answer 2

Sexual intercourse

Question 3

T or F: Humans are the only reservoir and host of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Answer 3

T

Question 4

Bacterial number of N. gonorrhoeae needed to cause gonorrhea?

Answer 4

< 1000

Question 5

Pt of entry for N. gonorrhoeae?

Answer 5

Vagina (females) urethral canal (men)

Question 6

Pathogenesis of gonorrhoea?

Answer 6

N. gonorrhoeae enter vagina/urethral canal > attaches to genital tract’s epithelial cells via pili > invades epithelial cells and enters sub-epithelial tissues > phagocytes enter area > inflammation > bacteria release endotoxin

Question 7

How does N. gonorrhoeae get transmitted?

Answer 7

They are released as a result of tissue damage from inflammation and phagocytic attack into genital secretions

Question 8

Gonorrhoea symptoms in females?

Answer 8

1. Vaginal inflammation

2. Burning sensation upon urination

Question 9

Gonorrhoea symptoms in men?

Answer 9

1. Urethral canal inflammation
2. Painful rination
3. Pus discharge

Question 10

Why are females more likely than males to be carriers of N. gonorrhoea?

Answer 10

Females experience far less symptoms (if any), so they’re less likely to be treated

Question 11

What is “disseminated gonorrhea”?

Answer 11

When N. gon infections result in bacteria entering the BLOOD, which then spread to other organs (~1% of cases)

Question 12

Possible gonorrhea complications in men?

Answer 12

1. Urethral scarring

2. Infertility

Question 13

Possible gonorrhea complications in women?

Answer 13

Pelvic inflammatory disease > infertility

Question 14

T or F: N. gon infections cannot be passed on to babies.

Answer 14

F

Eye infections can occur, leading to blindness > use antibiotic eye drops

Question 15

How is gonorrhea diagnosed?

Answer 15

Nucleic acid amplification test (PCR) on URINE specimens

Question 16

N. gonorrhea is resistant to these anibiotics

Answer 16

1. Penicillin
2. Erythromycin
3. Tetracycline

Question 17

T or F: Once you get gonorrhea, you become immune to it.

Answer 17

F

Question 18

Why does one not become immune to gonorrhea bacteria?

Answer 18

The immune system attacks the bacteria’s PILI > N. gonorrhea changes pili to avoid immunity in host

Question 19

This bacterium causes syphilis

Answer 19

Treponema pallidum

Question 20

Gram stain and shape of Treponema pallidum

Answer 20

Gram neg; Spirochete

Question 21

Length of time Treponema pallidum can survive outside of human host

Answer 21

< 15 minutes

Question 22

Routes of transmission for T. pallidum

Answer 22

Transmitted via direct contact (oral, anal, vaginal sexual contact, mother-to-fetus, compromised skin)

NOT transmitted via inanimate objects

Question 23

Point of entry of T. pallidum

Answer 23

Sub-epithelial tissue of genital tract

Question 24

4 stages of syphilis

Answer 24

1. Primary syphilis
2. Secondary syphilis
3. Latent syphilis
4. Tertiary syphilis

Question 25

Stage of syphilis associated w/ chancre formation at site of T. pallidum entry.

Answer 25

Primary syphilis

Question 26

Length of time it usually takes for chancres (of syphilis) to heal

Answer 26

4-6 weeks

Question 27

Stage of syphilis associated w/ healed chancres, and the spread of T. pallidum to other organs via blood.

Answer 27

Secondary syphilis

Question 28

A rash is characteristic of this stage of syphilis.

Answer 28

Secondary syphilis

Question 29

Syphilis becomes dormant in this stage.

Answer 29

Latent syphilis

Question 30

About ___% of patients progress to tertiary syphilis after the latent stage.

Answer 30

30%

Question 31

Latent T. pallidum gets reactivated in this stage of syphilis.

Answer 31

Tertiary syphilis

Question 32

You are infectious in these stages of syphilis

Answer 32

Primary and secondary syphilis

Question 33

This stage of syphilis is characterized by a delayed hypersensitivity rxn due to the presence of T. pallidum.

Answer 33

Tertiary syphilis

Question 34

"Gummas", cardiovascular damage, and nervous sys damage occur in this stage of syphilis.

Answer 34

Tertiary syphilis

Question 35

Flu-like symptoms characterize this stage of syphilis.

Answer 35

Secondary syphilis

Question 36

Microscopic examination of swabs is only possible in these stages of syphilis. Why?

Answer 36

Primary and secondary stages These stages are characterized by lots of T. pallidum bacteria

Question 37

Serological tests are possible for these stages of syphilis.

Answer 37

All stages

Question 38

Syphilis bacteria can only be cultured during these stages.

Answer 38

None. T. pallidum can't be cultured on lab media

Question 39

How syphilis was treated before antibiotics were a thing.

Answer 39

Raise body temp of pt

Question 40

First chemical therapy for syphilis

Answer 40

Salvarsan (Ehrlich invented it)

Question 41

Current chemical therapy for syphlis

Answer 41

Benzathine penicillin G

Question 42

Reason for there not being a vaccine for syphilis

Answer 42

Can't grow T. pallidum in the lab (on nutrient plates)

Question 43

What's the "Columbian Theory"?

Answer 43

The theory that Columbus imported syphilis into Europe from the Americas