After MT2 (Lectures 12-15) Flashcards
The urethra supports colonization by some microorganisms, mainly…?
- Lactobacillus
- Staphylococcus
- Streptococcus
Most of the urinary organs are anexic, meaning…?
They are free of microbiota.
Microorganisms in the urethra can rarely move into the bladder, up the ureters, and infect the __________.
Kidneys
In the male reproductive system, regions above the _________ are sterile.
Prostate
The vagina is colonized by various microorganisms, depending on ___________ levels.
Hormone levels
In the presence of estrogen, cells of the vaginal walls produce _____________.
Glycogen
In the vagina, glycogen is converted to…?
Lactic acid (by lactobacilli)
What inhibits growth of opportunistic pathogens in the vagina?
Acidity (pH ~4.5 due to lactobacilli)
One of the most common healthcare-associated infections.
Bacterial UTIs (urinary tract infections)
UTIs are more common in males or females?
Females
What are some examples of bacterial UTIs?
- Infection with enteric bacteria (Escherichia coli)
- Leptospirosis (Leptospira interrogans)
- Streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (Streptococcus species)
What are the signs and symptoms of enteric UTIs?
- Frequent, urgent, and painful urination
- Urine may be cloudy with foul odour
What are the pathogens/virulence factors involved in enteric UTIs?
- Caused by E. coli in most cases
- Virulence factors include flagella and attachment fimbriae
Describe the pathogenesis of Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC).
- E. coli is introduced into the urethra (often in fecal contamination)
- E. coli adhere to epithelial cells in the urethra via fimbriae
- E. coli colonize epithelial cells and begin to multiply via binary fission
- E. coli swim up the urethra
- E. coli invade bladder cells and multiply within the cytosol, escaping many of the body’s defenses (cystitis)
- Cells of E. coli are released into the bloodstream (bacteremia)
- E. coli ascend to the kidneys, where they trigger inflammation (pyelonephritis)
Describe the epidemiology of enteric UTIs.
- More common in females
- People at risk are diabetics; nursing home patients; elderly men who have trouble emptying their bladder; patients with urinary catheters, etc.
Describe the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of enteric UTIs.
- Diagnosis: based on urinalysis
- Treatment: mild cases resolve without; some treated with antimicrobials (trimethoprim & sulfamethoxazole)
- Prevention: limiting contamination by fecal microbes
Zoonotic urinary disease seen primarily in animals.
Leptospirosis
What are the signs and symptoms of Leptospirosis?
- Abrupt fever, myalgia, muscle stiffness, and headache
- Rarely fatal (mortality due to kidney/liver failure, meningitis, or respiratory distress)
What are the pathogens/virulence factors of Leptospirosis?
- Caused by Leptospira interrogans (a Spirochete)
- Normally lives in many wild/domestic animals
- Virulent strains make adhesins, are motile, and can evade complement activity
Describe the pathogenesis of Leptospirosis.
- Leptospira in urine-contaminated water enters the body through mucous membranes or skin abrasion
- The spirochetes infect the blood (bacteremia)
- Leptospira infects liver, CNS, kidneys, and other organs
- In most patients, the infection becomes localized in the kidneys (can be severely or fatally damaged)
- Patient sheds Leptospira in urine
Describe the epidemiology of Leptospirosis.
- L. interrogans grows asymptomatically in the kidney tubules of many wild/domesticated animals
- Transmitted to humans by contact with urine of infected animal or urine-contamined water
- Infection occurs through breaks in the skin or mucous membranes
- Spirochete travels via the bloodstream throughout the body
- Occurs throughout world; at risk people include farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, butchers, etc.
Describe the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Leptospirosis.
- Diagnosis: based on antibody test
- Treatment: oral/intravenous antimicrobials
- Prevention: avoiding contaminated water; vaccine available only for livestock/pets
A complication of Streptococcal respiratory disease.
Acute glomerulonephritis
Describe the pathogenesis of Streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis.
- Antibodies produced against bacterial antigens form soluble immune complexes
- Some immune complexes against group A streptococci strains are NOT removed from the body
- Immune complexes get deposited in the glomeruli of the kidneys