Passmed Flashcards
What is schistomiasis
aka bilharzia - a parasitic flatwork infection
what are the acute symptoms of schistosomiasis
swimmers itch
acute schistosomiasis syndrome (katayama fever- fever, urticaria/angioedema, arthralgia/myalgia, cough, diarrhoea, eosinophillia)
what are the symptoms of chronic schistosomiasis
Schistosoma haematobium casuse chronic infection
the worms deposit egg clusters in the bladder, causing inflammation.
Calcification seen on x-ray is calcification of the egg clusters
They can cause obstructive uropathy and damage to the kidney
features: frequency, haematuria and bladder calcification
how is schistosomiasis diagnosed?
Antibodies
urine or stool microscopy looking for eggs
how is Schistosomiasis managed
single oral dose of praziquantel
which type of Schistosoma can cause liver cirrhosis, variceal disease and cor pulmonalse
Schistoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum
These worms mature in the liver and then travel through the portal system to inhabit the distal colon. Their presence in the portal system can lead to progressive hepatomegaly and splenomegaly due to portal vein congestion.
What on biopsy from OGD suggests gastric adenocarcinoma ?
signet ring cells
what are the risk factors for gastric cancer?
H.pylori (triggers inflammation of the mucosa which leads to atrophy and intestinal metaplasia)
Atrophic gastritis
diet (salt and salt-preserved foods, nitrates)
smoking
blood group
what are they symptoms of gastric cancer ?
abdominal pain (vague, epigastric, dyspepsia)
weight loss
N&V
dysphagia
GI bleeding
supraclavicular lymph node (Virchow’s node)
periumbilical nodule (sister Mary Joeseph’s node )
Investigations for gastric cancer
OGD + Biopsy - sinet ring cells may be seen (they contain a large vacuole of mucin which displaces the nucleus to one side) Higher number of signet ring cells are associated with a worse prognosis
Staging CT
management of gastric cancer
surgery (endoscopic mucosal resection, partial gastrectomy, total gastrectomy)
chemotherapy
what causes farmers lung
Saccharopolyspora rectivigula
Contaminated hay is the most common source of it
what is extrinsic allergic alveolitis?
AKA hypersensitivity pneumonitis
A condition caused by hypersensitivity-induced lung damage due to a variety of inhaled organic particles.
It is largely caused by immune-complex mediated tissue dame (type III hypersensitivity), although delayed hypersensitivity (type IV) is also thought to play a role in EAA, especially in chronic phase)
what are examples of extrinsic allergic alveolitis?
Burd fanciers’ lung - avian proteins from bird droppings
farmers lung - spores of Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula from wet hay (formerly Micropolyspora faeni)
malt workers’ lung - aspergillus clavatus
mushroom workers’ lung - thermophilic actinomycetes
How does EAA present?
Acute (4-8 hours after exposure) dyspnoea, dry cough, fever
Chronic (occurs weeks-months after exposure)
lethargy, dyspnoea, productive cough, anorexia, weight loss
what are the investigations for EAA?
Imaging (upper/mid-zone fibrosis)
Bronchoalveolar lavage - lymphocytosis
serologic assays for specific IgG antibodies
Blood - NO oesinosphilla
Management of EAA
avoid precipitating factors
oral glucocorticoids
what are the features of SPB?
ascites, abdominal pain, gever
how is SPB diagnosed?
neutrophil count > 250 cells/ul
most common organism found is E.coli
what is the management of SPB?
IV cefotaxime
who gets SPB prophylaxis and what is the Abx of choice
patients who have previously had an episode of SPB
patients with fluid protein <15d/l and either Child-Pugh score of at least 9 or hepatorenal syndrome
Offer prophylactic oral ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin
what are the features that suggest primary hyperaldosteronism?
Hypertension
Hypokalaemia
mild alkalosis (raised bicarbonate)
What can excessive ACTH secretion cause?
hyperaldosteronism
elevated glucocorticoid activity
what is the most common cause of primary hyperaldosteronism?
Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia
It used to be thought that an adrenal adenoma (Conn’s)
Differentiating between the two is important as this determines the treatment.
Adrenal carcinoma is an extremely rare cause of primary hyperaldosteronism