Bacteria Quiz: Streptococcus pyogenes & H. influenzae

A bacterium causing pharyngitis, scarlet fever, and skin infections. It can also lead to serious complications like rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis.

Exoenzymes of Streptococcus pyogenes that damage tissues by breaking down connective tissue.

An enzyme that breaks down fibrin (a blood clotting protein), allowing bacteria to spread.

Enzymes that damage red and white blood cells by breaking them down.

A protein crucial in the development of rheumatic heart disease resulting from Streptococcus pyogenes infection.

A serious complication of Strep throat that can cause damage to the heart valves.

A kidney disease that can develop 1-3 weeks after strep throat infection.

A gram-negative bacterium sometimes causing meningitis and epiglottitis

A protective covering on some strains of H.influenzae, preventing phagocytosis and complement-mediated lysis

H.influenzae strains with a protective capsule, which are more pathogenic.

A specific type (serotype) of H.influenzae, frequently associated with meningitis and epiglottitis.

Lymphocytes not entering lymphoid tissue lead to increased numbers in blood.

Signal transduction is blocked by ADP-ribosylation of the Gi protein, affecting chemokine receptors.

The enzyme adenylate cyclase (CyaA), taken up by phagocytes, reduces their bactericidal activity.

Bacterial mutants lacking cyclase activity are less capable of causing illness (avirulent).

Tracheal cytotoxin, a peptidoglycan fragment, damages respiratory tract ciliated cells, possibly in conjunction with endotoxin.

Classical pertussis has three stages: catarrhal, paroxysmal and convalescence.

The paroxysmal stage, featuring characteristic 'whooping' coughs, is a key sign of pertussis.

Bacterial culture is the most reliable method for identifying pertussis.

Supportive care and macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin) are the mainstays of pertussis treatment.

DTaP immunization is used to prevent pertussis in infants and children.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a club-shaped, gram-positive bacteria.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae can be part of the normal microbiota of the nasopharynx in some individuals.

Diphtheria is spread through droplets and aerosols produced by coughing.

After infecting the throat, the bacteria produce a toxin that stops respiratory cell protein production, causing cell death.

A grayish exudate consisting of dead cells, pus, blood cells, fibrin, and bacteria that forms on mucous membranes.

Upper respiratory tract infection with pharyngitis, fever, malaise, neck swelling, and headache; airway obstruction is possible.

Potential complications include heart (carditis) and neurological problems.

Diagnosis is based on the presence of the pseudomembrane and culturing throat swabs, or detecting the toxin through PCR.

Antibiotics (like penicillin and erythromycin) treat the bacteria, while antitoxin treats the preformed toxin.

Widespread vaccination has significantly reduced diphtheria cases globally, often using combination vaccines (e.g., DTaP - diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis).

Pneumonia acquired outside a healthcare setting

Pneumonia acquired 48 hours or more after hospital admission.

Pneumonia developing in a patient mechanically ventilated for longer than 48 hours.

Dose-related toxicity including oversedation, coma, and respiratory arrest. Additive effects with other CNS depressants (alcohol, benzodiazepines, opiates).

Dose must be carefully monitored, as increasing sedation occurs with higher doses.

Induces CYP enzymes (especially CYP3A4), increasing metabolism of other drugs, leading to decreased effectiveness.

Increases the rate at which the body breaks down certain drugs.

3rd generation cephalosporin, effective against many Gram-positive/negative bacteria, particularly beta-lactamase-producing ones. Lipid-soluble, crosses the blood-brain barrier.

High lipid solubility and readily cross blood-brain barrier, making it useful for central nervous system infections.

Usually given intravenously; not available for oral use.

Ineffective against Gram-positive enterobacteria (e.g., in enterococcal infections).

Ceftriaxone is given intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM), not orally.

Ceftriaxone's half-life is approximately 7-8 hours, allowing for once-daily dosing.

Ceftriaxone is primarily eliminated through biliary excretion, with approximately 50% excreted unchanged.

More than 50% of ceftriaxone is eliminated by the kidneys, so dose adjustments are mainly needed for severely impaired kidney function.

Ceftriaxone is used to treat infections caused by susceptible organisms, including meningitis.

People with a history of allergic reactions to penicillin or beta-lactams should not receive ceftriaxone.

Allergic reactions are a significant side effect of ceftriaxone.

Although ceftriaxone is different from penicillin, there's a small risk of allergic reactions in people with a penicillin allergy (5-10%).

These penicillins target the bacterial cell wall's peptidoglycan, mainly effective against Gram-positive bacteria.

Ampicillin/Amoxicillin is an 'extended spectrum' penicillin, meaning it can also target some Gram-negative bacteria.

Ampicillin/Amoxicillin can be administered orally or intravenously.

A type of pneumonia caused by inhaling foreign substances into the lungs.

Pneumonia can be caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Certain groups of people are more susceptible to pneumonia, including the elderly, young children, and those with weakened immune systems.

Pneumonia symptoms in newborns can include difficulty breathing, feeding problems, and lethargy.

Pneumonia in adults typically involves symptoms like fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Elderly pneumonia often presents with less dramatic symptoms, such as confusion, loss of appetite, and fatigue.

Doctors use various methods to diagnose pneumonia, including chest X-rays, blood tests, and sputum cultures.

A bacterium that causes bacterial pneumonia.

A bacterium that causes pneumonia, often in those with weakened immune systems.

A bacteria causing pneumonia, often associated with infections elsewhere in the body (e.g., skin)

A pneumonia pathogen not having a cell wall but causing atypical pneumonia.

A cause of pneumonia transmitted through water sources sometimes (e.g., contaminated water aerosolization).

A pneumonia from a fungus affecting immunocompromised individuals.

A method of gene regulation that inhibits gene expression.

Gene regulation that promotes gene expression.

Process where gene expression is controlled by adjusting the RNA structure.

Controlling the reading of a gene into a protein.

A barbiturate CNS depressant with a long half-life, used as an anticonvulsant and sedative/hypnotic.