Infection Flashcards
What are the common pathogenic organisms?
Algae
Bacteria
Viruses
Protozoa
Fungi
Parasites
How does bacteria survive in the body?
Produces endotoxins which damages cell membrane and inhibits protein production
How does the body fight against bacteria?
Increases in vascular permeability allows blood borne substances to access site of infection
How do viruses spread throughout the body?
Binds to receptor on plasma membrane on host cell and undergoes viral replication
What are the 6 events involved in the chain of infection?
Susceptible host, causative agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission and portal of entry
At what stage is the chain of infection broken?
Portal of entry
What preventative measures can be used to reduce the spread of infection?
Hand hygiene
PPE for procedures that bring increased risk of exposure
Safe handling of sharps
Regular and appropriate cleaning of surfaces and equipment
How does antibiotic resistance occur?
Inactivation of drug, alterations to bacterial membrane, alterations to target molecule or reduced uptake of antibiotic
What happens during antibacterial resistance?
Overuse of antibiotics leads to destruction of normal pathogens which allows selective overgrowth of resistant strains
What strategies can be implements to reduce antibacterial resistance?
More attention to infection control and vaccinations to reduce the need
Regulation and education to promote rationale use of antimicrobials
What is sepsis?
Severe, life threatening response to infection resulting in disruption to cellular function
Describe the pathogenesis of fever
Gram negative organism releases endotoxins OR gram positive organism releases exotoxins, which triggers the activation of complement system, coagulation cascade and kinin system. Release of central endogenous mediators lead to release of pro inflammatory cytokines, causing endothelial cell damage. This leads to hypotension, decreased myocardial function, vascular leakage and tissue necrosis which eventually causes organ dysfunction
What is phlebitis?
Inflammation of the vein
What are the clinical manifestations of infection?
Swelling (vasodilation and increased vascular permeability)
Redness (vasodilation)
Hot to touch (increases pressure on nerves - prostaglandin)
Phlebitis
Fever (invasion of pathogens denatures proteins)
What two toxins do bacteria produce?
Endotoxins (cell breakdown)
Exotoxins (bacterial growth)
