Skin + soft tissue infections

Question 1

Which pathology is Housemaid’s Knee?

Answer 1

Bursitis

Question 2

Herpes viruses infect which kind of cell, but manifests as what?

Answer 2

Infect nerve cells but manifest as skin lesions

Question 3

Which layer of the skin is most prone to infection?

Answer 3

Dermis

Question 4

On skin, what are the 2 most common entry points for bacteria?

Answer 4

Wounds & cuts

Hair follicles

Question 5

Name 2 epidermal skin infections and the bacteria which cause them.

Answer 5

Impetigo - staphylococcus

Erysipelas - streptococcus pyogenes

Question 6

What is the main symptom of impetigo?

Answer 6

“Stuck-on” honey-coloured crusts

Question 7

Name 3 dermal skin infections and the bacteria which cause them.

Answer 7

Cellulitis - staph or strep

Furuncles (boils) - staph

Carbuncles - staph

Question 8

Which bacteria most often causes necrotizing fasciitis?

Answer 8

Streptococcus

Question 9

What is a furuncle / boil?

Answer 9

Deep infection of a hair follicle

Question 10

Which virus causes warts?

Answer 10

HPV

Question 11

Herpes is treatable with which medication?

Answer 11

Acyclovir

Question 12

Which virus has been linked to cervical cancer?

Answer 12

HPV

Question 13

What is the main symptom of molluscum contagiosum?

Answer 13

Small, pearly skin lesions

Question 14

Seborrheic dermatitis can be treated with which medication?

Answer 14

Ketoconazole

Question 15

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is which type of microbe?

Answer 15

Protozoa

Question 16

Cutaneous larva migrans is commonly known as what, and which type of microbe is it?

Answer 16

Hookworm

Helminth

Question 17

Scabies and cutaneous myiasis are which type of microbe?

Answer 17

Ectoparasites

Question 18

Describe the 3 types of symbiotic relationships.

Answer 18

Mutualistic - both species benefit

Commensal - one species benefits, the other is unaffected

Parasitic - one species benefits, the other is harmed

Question 19

Define colonisation.

Answer 19

A microbe is present on or in the body but is not causing disease

Question 20

Which group of staphylococci bacteria are opportunistic and do not typically cause infection unless they reach internal prosthetic materials?

Give an example of such bacteria.

Answer 20

Coagulase-negative staphylococci

Staphylococcus epidermidis

Question 21

What are the 8 stages of bacterial pathogenesis.

Answer 21

Access
Adherence
Invasion
Multiplication
Evasion
Resistance
Damage
Transmission

Question 22

Which strain of Staphylococcus aureus can invade intact skin?

Answer 22

Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) strains

Question 23

What special defence does staphylococci have to avoid being killed?

Answer 23

Produce catalase - blocks free radicals which immune cells use to destroy bacteria

Question 24

What special defence does streptococci have to avoid being killed?

Answer 24

Have M protein - blocks complement proteins

Question 25

How is impetigo treated?

Answer 25

Fusidic acid

Question 26

What is the first line treatment for staph infection?

Answer 26

Flucloxacillin

Question 27

What is the first treatment for infected diabetic ulcers?

Answer 27

Co-amoxiclav

Question 28

What is the definition of a macule?

Answer 28

Flat lesion <1cm

Question 29

What is the definition of a patch?

Answer 29

Flat lesion >1cm

Question 30

What is the definition of a plaque?

Answer 30

Elevated but flat, solid lesion >1cm

Question 31

What is the definition of a papule?

Answer 31

Elevated, solid lesion <1cm

Question 32

What is the definition of a nodule?

Answer 32

Elevated, solid lesion >1cm

Question 33

What is the definition of a vesicle?

Answer 33

Elevated, fluid-filled lesion <1cm

Question 34

What is the definition of a pustule?

Answer 34

Elevated, pus-filled lesion, usually <1cm

Question 35

What is the definition of a bulla?

Answer 35

Elevated, fluid-filled lesion >1cm