Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which characteristic of Klebsiella pneumoniae contributes most significantly to its potential to cause severe, community-acquired pneumonia, even in individuals without severely compromised immune systems?
Which characteristic of Klebsiella pneumoniae contributes most significantly to its potential to cause severe, community-acquired pneumonia, even in individuals without severely compromised immune systems?
- The production of red-pigmented colonies, indicating a unique metabolic pathway.
- The presence of a large polysaccharide capsule, enhancing its virulence. (correct)
- Its ability to ferment lactose, leading to rapid proliferation in the lungs.
- Its urease-positive status, creating an alkaline environment conducive to its growth.
A patient develops a nosocomial infection characterized by dysuria, urinary frequency, and suprapubic pain following urinary catheterization. Cultures reveal a lactose-fermenting, Gram-negative rod. While Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Serratia are all possibilities, which additional test would most rapidly differentiate Klebsiella from the other two?
A patient develops a nosocomial infection characterized by dysuria, urinary frequency, and suprapubic pain following urinary catheterization. Cultures reveal a lactose-fermenting, Gram-negative rod. While Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Serratia are all possibilities, which additional test would most rapidly differentiate Klebsiella from the other two?
- Testing for the presence of red-pigmented colonies.
- Determining antibiotic resistance patterns.
- Assessing the viscosity of colonies grown on MacConkey agar.
- Evaluating urease production. (correct)
In a hospital setting, several patients undergoing respiratory therapy develop pneumonia. Cultures from these patients grow Serratia marcescens. What is the most likely source of this outbreak?
In a hospital setting, several patients undergoing respiratory therapy develop pneumonia. Cultures from these patients grow Serratia marcescens. What is the most likely source of this outbreak?
- Airborne transmission from construction activities within the hospital.
- Contamination of intravenous catheters used for medication administration.
- Direct contact with hospital staff who are carriers of _Serratia_.
- Contamination of the water in respiratory therapy devices. (correct)
A patient presents with fever, hypotension, and tachycardia, and is suspected of bacteremia. The isolated Gram-negative bacteria ferments lactose and is resistant to multiple antibiotics. Considering the information provided, which antibiotic combination would be the MOST appropriate initial empirical treatment?
A patient presents with fever, hypotension, and tachycardia, and is suspected of bacteremia. The isolated Gram-negative bacteria ferments lactose and is resistant to multiple antibiotics. Considering the information provided, which antibiotic combination would be the MOST appropriate initial empirical treatment?
A 68-year-old male with a history of chronic alcoholism is admitted to the hospital with suspected pneumonia. His sputum is thick, mucoid, and blood-tinged, resembling currant jelly. Gram stain reveals Gram-negative rods. Given this presentation, which of the following virulence factors is MOST likely contributing to the severity of his pneumonia?
A 68-year-old male with a history of chronic alcoholism is admitted to the hospital with suspected pneumonia. His sputum is thick, mucoid, and blood-tinged, resembling currant jelly. Gram stain reveals Gram-negative rods. Given this presentation, which of the following virulence factors is MOST likely contributing to the severity of his pneumonia?
A patient with a long-term indwelling urinary catheter develops a UTI caused by Enterobacter cloacae. The isolate demonstrates resistance to multiple antibiotics, including cephalosporins and aminoglycosides. Which of the following resistance mechanisms is MOST likely responsible for this broad-spectrum resistance?
A patient with a long-term indwelling urinary catheter develops a UTI caused by Enterobacter cloacae. The isolate demonstrates resistance to multiple antibiotics, including cephalosporins and aminoglycosides. Which of the following resistance mechanisms is MOST likely responsible for this broad-spectrum resistance?
A previously healthy 25-year-old injection drug user is admitted with endocarditis. Blood cultures grow Serratia marcescens. What is the MOST probable source of this infection?
A previously healthy 25-year-old injection drug user is admitted with endocarditis. Blood cultures grow Serratia marcescens. What is the MOST probable source of this infection?
A cluster of patients in the ICU develop pneumonia, and all isolates are identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae with similar antibiotic resistance profiles. Despite adherence to standard infection control protocols, the outbreak persists. Which of the following reservoirs is MOST likely contributing to the continued transmission?
A cluster of patients in the ICU develop pneumonia, and all isolates are identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae with similar antibiotic resistance profiles. Despite adherence to standard infection control protocols, the outbreak persists. Which of the following reservoirs is MOST likely contributing to the continued transmission?
Which of the following aspects of infections caused by Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Serratia poses the greatest challenge to effective treatment and control in healthcare settings?
Which of the following aspects of infections caused by Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Serratia poses the greatest challenge to effective treatment and control in healthcare settings?
A patient develops peritonitis following abdominal surgery. Cultures grow a Gram-negative rod identified as Enterobacter aerogenes. The lab reports that the isolate is resistant to cefotaxime but sensitive to imipenem. What is the MOST likely mechanism of resistance to cefotaxime in this isolate?
A patient develops peritonitis following abdominal surgery. Cultures grow a Gram-negative rod identified as Enterobacter aerogenes. The lab reports that the isolate is resistant to cefotaxime but sensitive to imipenem. What is the MOST likely mechanism of resistance to cefotaxime in this isolate?
Flashcards
Klebsiella
Klebsiella
Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria with a large polysaccharide capsule. Often opportunistic but can be more pathogenic.
Enterobacter
Enterobacter
Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria, opportunistic and causes nosocomial infections.
Serratia
Serratia
Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria that produces red-pigmented colonies; opportunistic, causes nosocomial infections.
Klebsiella Pneumoniae Risk Factors
Klebsiella Pneumoniae Risk Factors
Signup and view all the flashcards
Nosocomial Infection Cause
Nosocomial Infection Cause
Signup and view all the flashcards
Symptoms of Opportunistic Bacterial Infections
Symptoms of Opportunistic Bacterial Infections
Signup and view all the flashcards
Klebsiella on MacConkey Agar
Klebsiella on MacConkey Agar
Signup and view all the flashcards
Treatment for Nosocomial Infections
Treatment for Nosocomial Infections
Signup and view all the flashcards
Sputum of Klebsiella Pneumoniae
Sputum of Klebsiella Pneumoniae
Signup and view all the flashcards
Klebsiella test
Klebsiella test
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
- Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Serratia are Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria.
- All are opportunistic bacteria, causing nosocomial infections like UTIs (dysuria & urinary frequency), cystitis (suprapubic pain), pneumonia, bacteremia (fever, hypotension, and tachycardia), peritonitis (fever, chills, and extreme abdominal pain), and secondary spread (meninges and liver).
Key Characteristics
- All ferment lactose.
- On MacConkey Agar, they form pink colonies due to lactose fermentation.
Klebsiella
- Has a large polysaccharide capsule, making K. pneumoniae more pathogenic.
- Produces mucoid colonies and thick, mucoid, bloody sputum, like currant jelly.
- Can progress to necrosis and abscess formation.
- Causes lobar pneumonia, presenting with high fever, chills, chest pain, SOB, and a productive cough with blood-tinged sputum.
- Is urease positive.
- On MacConkey Agar, forms mucoid and viscous pink colonies.
Serratia
- Produces red-pigmented colonies.
- Serratia pneumonia can arise from contamination of water in respiratory therapy devices.
- Serratia endocarditis can occur in injection drug users.
Risk Factors and Transmission
- Risk factors include advanced age, chronic respiratory disease, alcoholism, or diabetes.
- Transmission is often nosocomial, associated with invasive procedures like IV catheterization, respiratory intubation, and urinary tract manipulations.
- Infections can lead to septic shock due to endotoxin.
Treatment
- Nosocomial infections often show resistance to multiple antibiotics.
- Treatment may involve an aminoglycoside (e.g., gentamicin) and a cephalosporin (e.g., cefotaxime).
- Severe Enterobacter infections may require a combination of imipenem and gentamicin.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
