Clinical Microbiology (Week 6)

Question 1

True or false, gram positive bacteria have a thinner cell wall than gram negative?

Answer 1

False, gram positive have a thicker cell wall than gram negative

Question 2

Define bactericidal

Answer 2

Able to directly kill bacteria by sterilising the site

Question 3

What is the term used to define the range of bacterial species effectively treated by antibiotics?

Answer 3

Antibiotic spectrum

Question 4

Name the four beta lactic antibiotic groups

Answer 4

Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Carbapenems
Monobactams

Question 5

What are beta lactamases?

Answer 5

Enzymes produced by bacteria which inactivate beta lactic drugs

Question 6

What type of bacteria does benzylpenicillin target?

Answer 6

Streptococcus infection

Question 7

What two types of bacteria does flucloxacillin target?

Answer 7

Staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus

Question 8

What drugs are co-administered with penicillins to broaden their spectrum?

Answer 8

Beta-lactamase inhibitors

Question 9

What class of antibiotics have been designed to treat MRSA?

Answer 9

(MRSA active) cephalosporins

Question 10

What specific type of antibiotic can be used to treat CNS infections like meningitis in hospitals?

Answer 10

Ceftriaxone

Question 11

Which class of antibiotics can be described as ultra-broad spectrum (excluding MRSA)?

Answer 11

Carbapenems

Question 12

Which class of antibiotics does the drug Aztreonam belong to?

Answer 12

Monobactams

Question 13

What type of bacteria does Vancomycin NOT work to treat?

Answer 13

Gram negative bacteria

Question 14

Give three examples of the toxic effects of Vancomycin

Answer 14

Nephrotoxicity
Ototoxicity
‘Red man syndrome’

Question 15

Name three types of species that macrolides act on

Answer 15

Gram positive, gram negative and atypicals

Question 16

What is the mechanism of action of aminoglycosides?

Answer 16

Act on the 30s ribosome subunit

Question 17

Why is Gentamicin given as one dose daily?

Answer 17

To avoid accumulation in the body and avoid its toxic effects

Question 18

Which two patient groups should tetracycline antibiotics be avoided in?

Answer 18

Children and pregnant women

Question 19

What type of infection does the quinolone drug Levofloxacin treat?

Answer 19

Respiratory tract infections

Question 20

What type of infection does the quinolone drug Ciprofloxacin treat?

Answer 20

Urinary tract infections

Question 21

Name two conditions that the drug Rifampicin is used to treat

Answer 21

1. Tuberculosis

2. Alongside other antibiotics to treat serious gram positive infections

Question 22

Which antibiotic is used to treat uncomplicated UTIs?

Answer 22

Trimethoprim

Question 23

What does the term ‘breakpoint’ mean?

Answer 23

The concentration of an antibiotic which defines whether a species is sensitive or resistant

Question 24

Name a pharmacological treatment used to relieve symptoms of UTIs before antibiotics are given

Answer 24

NSAIDs

Question 25

Define sepsis

Answer 25

Life-threatening organ dysfunction as a result of dysregulated host response to infection

Question 26

Give 2 causative agents involved in bacterial diarrhoea

Answer 26

Enterotoxigenic E. coli Enteroaggregative E. coli Campylobacter

Question 27

Name three parasites which commonly cause travellers diarrhoea

Answer 27

Giardia Cryptosporidium Cyclospora

Question 28

What are the three tests used in the diagnosis of malaria?

Answer 28

Antigen testing Blood films PCR

Question 29

In regards to malaria treatment, what is Ritamen?

Answer 29

An artemether compound given as IM injection used in severe malaria instead of quinine

Question 30

Describe the 4 stages of pathophysiology in typhoid

Answer 30

1. Dirty food or water 2. Stomach 3. Hepatic portal system 4. Blood

Question 31

What syndrome leads to death as a result of malaria?

Answer 31

Septic shock

Question 32

Name three drugs commonly used to treat malaria

Answer 32

1. Quinolones 2. Cephalosporins 3. Azithromycin

Question 33

Give a definition of dengue fever

Answer 33

An acute mosquito borne viral illness

Question 34

Name three lab features of dengue fever

Answer 34

1. Leukocytopenia 2. Thrombocytopenia 3. Transaminitis

Question 35

Name the three most common causative agents in community acquired pneumonia

Answer 35

1. Strep. pneumoniae 2. Haemophilius influenzae 3. Moraxella catharralis

Question 36

What is the name of the smallest living bacterium?

Answer 36

Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Question 37

Which bacteria lends to spread through contaminated water systems?

Answer 37

Legionella Pneumophila