Microbiology II Flashcards
(130 cards)
What pathogens can be found at the nasopharynx?
Mainly viruses
- rhinovirus
- coronavirus
What pathogens can be found at the oropharynx?
Strep pyogenes (Group A Strep)
Corynebacterium
Diphtheriae
Epstein-Barr virus
adenovirus
enterovirus
What pathogens can be found in the middle ear and parasinuses?
Strep pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae (non-typeable)
Moraxella catarrhalis
Group A Strep
What pathogens can be found on the epiglottis?
Haemophilus influenzae Type b
What are characteristics of Group A Strep?
Streptococcus pyogenes
- Gram + cocci in chains
- Catalase negative
- Beta-hemolytic
- Bacitracin sensitive
What are symptoms of pharyngitis and what is the most notable cause of pharyngitis?
Symptoms:
nausea
vomiting
abdominal pain
Complications:
peritonsillar abscesses
scarlet fever
cervical adenitis
otitis media
strep. TSS
Group A Strep
How does Group A Strep cause rheumatic heart disease?
M protein is a virulence factor of S. pyogenes that allows it to go undetected by the immune system due to its molecular mimicry of cardiac proteins
S. pyogenes infections can lead to anti-cardiac antibodies produced by the immune system
These antibodyes are responsible for deposits and thickenign of leaflets leading to RHD
What are characteristics of Haemophilus Influenzae bacteria?
Gram -
Coccobacilli
(curved ends on short rods)
Oxidase positive
Growth Requirements:
Fastidious
X Factor (hemin, heat stable)
V Factor (NAD or NADP, heat labile)
Grown on Chocolate agar
What is the most agressive capsular type of H. Influenzae? Why?
H. influenzae Type b
(HIb)
Type b capsule is polyribose-ribitol phosphate
Capsule is:
Antiphagocytic
Non-encapsulated forms are normal flora in the URT
What are types of diseases are caused by H. influenzae?
Meningitis - 90% die w/o treatment
Epiglottitis - obstructive, cherry red epiglottis, life threatening
Pneumonia - often complicated by empyema
Bacteremia
Cellulitis
Septic arthritis
What infections are caused by non-typeable H. influenzae?
Acute otitis media
sinusitis
- may follow viral infection
Exacerbations of COPD
Conjuctivitis (daycare settings)
What is treatment for H. influenzae?
3rd generation Cephalosporin
If susceptible to ampicillin, use that
Why must polysaccharide vaccines be protein conjugated for children?
Infants cannot make antibody responses to polylysaccharides because they are T-independent antigens.
The conjugate vaccine allows the infant to make an antibody response (and evoke memory cells) because the protein part of the conjugate engages T cells and allows the polysaccharides to be presented as T-dependent antigens.
What is the causative agent of diptheria?
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
What are characteristics of Corynebacterium diptheriae?
Gram + rods
(“chinese letters”)
catalase +
non-motile
non-spore forming
Produce diptheria toxin in mucus membranes
Produce Pseudomembranes that may occlude airway
What is the pathogenesis of diphtheria?
Organisms enter URT –> Colonize mucose –> Produce diptheria toxin
Diptheria toxin causes:
Myocarditis
Neuritis
Necrosis
(causes pseudomembrane)
What is Diptheria toxin?
Toxin produced by Corynebacterium Diptheriae that is encoded on a lysogenic phage (can be transduced to other corynebacterium species)
Three domains:
A = active domain
B = binding domain
T = transmembrane domain
Mode of Action:
Inhibits protein synthesis and kills cells
What is treatment for Corynebacterium Diptheriae infections?
**Antitoxin** to treat diptheria toxin Horse origin (test for sensitivity)
Antibiotic to eradicate organisms
What are the characteristics of rhinovirus?
Non-enveloped
+ssRNA genome
Icosahedral capsid
Small in size
>100 serotypes
ICAM-1 is primary cellular receptor used to infect respiratory epithelial cells
Temperature Sensitive
88-90deg F
How is rhinovirus transmitted?
aerosol droplets
(sneezing)
direct contact with infected surface
What is the rhinovirus replication cycle?
Cytoplasmic:
Rhinovirus binds to ICAM-1 –> enters epithelial cell
+ssRNA is translated by cell’s ribosomes
+ssRNA is transcribed by virus’s RNA polymerase
Proteins and RNA are assembled
Virus exits by Lysis of cell
What are symptoms of rhinovirus? How long do they last?
Infection of about 2-4 days (self-limiting)
Symptoms:
Nasal discharge
Nasal congestion
Sneezing
Sore throat
Edema and erythema of nasal mucosa
Muscle aches
fatigue
headache
loss of appetite
In rare cases of children: bronchopneumonia
How does someone become immune to rhinovirus?
No Vaccines
Mucosal IgA in nasal secretions are protective
Type I interferons control viral spread but causes pathogenesis
Immunity is serotype specific
>100 serotypes
At what point does a Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection become life threatening?
Primary infection occurs in epithelial cells of URT producing a mild, self-limiting illness
In children <8 months old, virus can spread to LRT, causing:
Bronchitis
Pneumonia
Croup