10. Immunocompromised host - conditions Flashcards
what is febrile neutropenia
febrile = fever neutropenia = low neutrophil count
(in haematological cancer patients)
what is the management of febrile neutropenia patients
- blood cultures (from all lumens of hickman line and from peripheral vein) + urine test + swabs from exit site or any other infected foci
- commence empirical antibiotics: IV TAZOCIN
- reassess after 48 hrs
if no improvement in febrile neutropenia patient after 48hrs what do you do
add IV VANCOMYCIN
if an immunocompromised P does not respond to antibiotics, what is the likely causative infectious agent
aspergillus
what is the treatment for aspergillus
IV AMPHOTERICIN (antifungal agent)
is aspergillus part of normal flora?
yes: mucous membranes of upper resp. tract
how is aspergillosis diagnosed?
- chest X-ray showing nodules and opacification
2. sputum culture showing aspergillus spores and hyphae
which infections does Varicella-zoster cause
chicken pox and shingles
what is the viral family and class of Varicella-zoster
family = Herpes virus class = dsDNA enveloped virus
how is varcella zoster spread
inhalation of droplets
describe the incubation period of varicella zoster
15 days
- infects upper resp. mucosa
- spreads to regional lymph nodes and replicates
- spreads to liver and spleen
when is the contagious period of varicella zoster infection
15-25 days
infection of skin leads to appearance of vesicular rash
what is viral latency in varicella zoster infection
virus enters cutaneous neurons and migrates to ganglia where it enters latent state
what does shingles rash look like and why does it occur
papules with surrounding erythema - painful
occurs due to secondary viraemia/infection
how is varicella zoster infection diagnosed
swabs of epithelial cells and culutre
