Ch 23

Question 1

What is endocarditis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of endocardium

Endocarditis can be caused by various infections, particularly bacterial.

Question 2

What is pericarditis?

Answer 2

Inflammation of the sac around the heart

Streptococci are often involved in pericarditis.

Question 3

What causes acute bacterial endocarditis?

Answer 3

Caused by S. aureus

This condition is a bacterial infection of the heart.

Question 4

What is myocarditis?

Answer 4

Inflammation of heart muscles

Myocarditis can be due to infections or autoimmune responses.

Question 5

Define sepsis.

Answer 5

Life-threatening inflammatory response to infection

Severe sepsis involves decreased blood pressure and dysfunction of at least one organ.

Question 6

What characterizes septic shock?

Answer 6

Sepsis and uncontrollable decreased blood pressure

It is a severe progression of sepsis.

Question 7

What is gram-negative sepsis also known as?

Answer 7

Endotoxin shock

Endotoxins (LPS) cause a severe drop in blood pressure.

Question 8

Which bacteria are most often involved in gram-negative sepsis?

Answer 8

• Klebsiella species
• E. Coli
• P. Aeruginosa

These bacteria can lead to severe complications in sepsis.

Question 9

What is the primary danger of gram-negative sepsis?

Answer 9

Antibiotics can worsen the condition by killing bacteria

Treatment involves neutralizing LPS components.

Question 10

What are the characteristics of gram-positive sepsis?

Answer 10

• Potent exotoxins causing toxic shock syndrome
• Often hospital-acquired infections (e.g., enterococcus faecium, enterococcus faecalis/group B streptococci)

Gram-positive bacteria can lead to severe systemic effects.

Question 11

Define ischemia.

Answer 11

Loss of blood supply to tissue

Ischemia can lead to tissue damage and necrosis.

Question 12

What is the Epstein-Barr virus also known as?

Answer 12

Human herpesvirus 4

It is associated with several diseases, including Burkitt’s lymphoma.

Question 13

What is Burkitt’s lymphoma?

Answer 13

Tumor of the jaw; most common childhood cancer in Africa

Malaria suppresses the immune response to the Epstein-Barr virus, increasing the risk.

Question 14

What symptoms are associated with infectious mononucleosis?

Answer 14

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Enlarged spleen

It is often asymptomatic in childhood and transmitted via saliva.

Question 15

What autoimmune disease is associated with the Epstein-Barr virus?

Answer 15

Multiple sclerosis

EBV is thought to trigger autoimmune responses leading to this condition.

Question 16

What is Toxoplasmosis caused by?

Answer 16

Toxoplasma gondii

It undergoes a sexual phase in cat intestines, leading to oocyst shedding.

Question 17

What is the primary danger of Toxoplasmosis?

Answer 17

Congenital infection: stillbirth and neurological damage

Transmission can occur through contact with cat feces or undercooked meat.

Question 18

What causes malaria?

Answer 18

Plasmodium parasites

It is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes.

Question 19

What is the most deadly form of malaria?

Answer 19

Plasmodium falciparum

It causes severe anemia and can block capillaries, affecting vital organs.

Question 20

What is Tularemia caused by?

Answer 20

Francisella tularensis

It is a gram-negative rod mainly transmitted from rabbits.

Question 21

What are the symptoms of cat-scratch disease?

Answer 21

• Papule at infection site
• Swollen lymph nodes

Caused by Bartonella henselae, it is usually self-limiting.

Question 22

Define septicemia.

Answer 22

Acute illness due to presence of pathogens or their toxins in blood

It can lead to severe systemic effects.

Question 23

What is lymphangitis?

Answer 23

Inflamed lymph vessels

It can be a response to infection.

Question 24

What is Group B streptococcus also known as?

Answer 24

Streptococcus agalactiae

It is associated with neonatal sepsis.

Question 25

What is the characteristic of Enterococcus faecalis/faecium?

Answer 25

Inhabit colon; resistant to many antibiotics ## Footnote They can colonize wounds and the urinary tract.

Question 26

What are the forms of anthrax caused by Bacillus anthracis?

Answer 26

* Cutaneous anthrax * Gastrointestinal anthrax * Inhalational (pulmonary) anthrax ## Footnote Each form has distinct transmission routes and symptoms.

Question 27

What causes gangrene?

Answer 27

Death of soft tissue ## Footnote Gas gangrene is specifically caused by Clostridium perfringens.

Question 28

What is the primary characteristic of plague?

Answer 28

Caused by Yersinia pestis ## Footnote It is transmitted by rat fleas and can cause severe systemic illness.

Question 29

What differentiates the forms of plague?

Answer 29

* Bubonic plague: bacterial growth in blood and lymph * Septicemic plague: septic shock due to bacteria in blood * Pneumonic plague: bacteria in lungs, spreads easily ## Footnote Each form has different transmission routes and mortality rates.

Question 30

What is the first phase symptom of Lyme disease?

Answer 30

Bull's eye rash, flu-like symptoms ## Footnote Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by ticks.

Question 31

What is Kawasaki syndrome?

Answer 31

Acute febrile illness of unknown etiology, mostly affects younger children ## Footnote Symptoms include high fever and rash, and it is treated with aspirin.

Question 32

What type of bacteria causes acute bacterial endocarditis?

Answer 32

Staphylococcus aureus ## Footnote This bacterium is a common cause of this condition.