Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which scenario exemplifies how endemic flora can cause systemic infection?
Which scenario exemplifies how endemic flora can cause systemic infection?
- Normal flora are present in appropriate numbers and benefiting the host.
- Beneficial gut flora entering the peritoneal cavity due to bowel preparation, resulting in peritonitis.
- Introduction of _Staphylococcus epidermidis_ into the bloodstream via skin breaks, leading to catheter colonization. (correct)
- _Escherichia coli_ residing in the intestine causing no harm to the host.
A patient undergoing broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment develops a severe Clostridium difficile infection. How does this relate to the normal flora?
A patient undergoing broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment develops a severe Clostridium difficile infection. How does this relate to the normal flora?
- Antibiotics disrupt the balance of normal flora, allowing antibiotic-resistant _Clostridium difficile_ to overgrow. (correct)
- Normal flora competes effectively against overgrowth of resistant bacteria, limiting harmful effects.
- Antibiotics directly stimulate the growth of _Clostridium difficile_.
- _Clostridium difficile_ is part of the normal flora that becomes pathogenic when host resistance lowers.
How does the displacement of normal flora contribute to opportunistic infections?
How does the displacement of normal flora contribute to opportunistic infections?
- By producing beneficial metabolites for the host.
- By entering sterile body sites, where they can cause infection. (correct)
- By remaining in their original anatomical location, thus inhibiting pathogenic activities.
- By competitively excluding pathogenic microbes from colonizing new sites.
Which of the following scenarios describes the effects of harmful byproducts produced by microbes?
Which of the following scenarios describes the effects of harmful byproducts produced by microbes?
In what way does a compromised immune system increase the risk of opportunistic infections from normal flora?
In what way does a compromised immune system increase the risk of opportunistic infections from normal flora?
What is the significance of distinguishing between colonization of normal flora and a carrier state of a true pathogen?
What is the significance of distinguishing between colonization of normal flora and a carrier state of a true pathogen?
How does the production of penicillinase by some organisms interfere with antibiotic therapy?
How does the production of penicillinase by some organisms interfere with antibiotic therapy?
What factors can lead to a rise in opportunistic pathogens among endemic flora?
What factors can lead to a rise in opportunistic pathogens among endemic flora?
How might normal flora, present in appropriate numbers without causing harm, become pathogenic under specific conditions?
How might normal flora, present in appropriate numbers without causing harm, become pathogenic under specific conditions?
Why might the isolation of normal flora from a specimen cause confusion in diagnosis?
Why might the isolation of normal flora from a specimen cause confusion in diagnosis?
Flashcards
Opportunistic Pathogens
Opportunistic Pathogens
Endemic flora are normal microbes that can cause infection under certain conditions.
Causes of Opportunistic Infections
Causes of Opportunistic Infections
- Microbe displacement, 2. Competitive advantage, 3. Harmful byproducts, 4. Immunocompromised state.
Endemic Flora
Endemic Flora
Specialized microbes inhabiting specific anatomical microenvironments.
Harmful Effect Example
Harmful Effect Example
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Immunocompromised Effects
Immunocompromised Effects
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Carrier State
Carrier State
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Low Resistance
Low Resistance
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Abnormal Flora Multiplication
Abnormal Flora Multiplication
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Flora Out of Place
Flora Out of Place
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Antibiotics Affecting Flora
Antibiotics Affecting Flora
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Study Notes
- Endemic flora can become opportunistic pathogens, causing infection and disease under certain conditions.
- It's important to understand both the benefits and potential harmful effects of normal flora.
- Normal flora can cause peritonitis if the gut flora enters the abdominal cavity due to bowel preparation.
Common Causes of Opportunistic Infections Among Endemic Flora
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Microbe displacement
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Competitive advantage
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Harmful byproducts produced by microbes
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Immunocompromised state
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Endemic flora are specialized microbes inhabiting specific anatomical microenvironments.
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Opportunistic infections typically originate from the same anatomical regions where the bacteria population is elevated.
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Skin flora can cause systemic infections if they enter the bloodstream through skin breaks.
Examples of Harmful Effects of Normal Flora
- Introduction of epidermidis into the bloodstream can colonize catheters.
- Antibiotic therapy can lead to overgrowth of antibiotic-resistant Clostridium difficile.
- Bacteria can convert sweetener salquamate into the bladder carcinogen, cyclohexane.
- When immune defenses are significantly decreased, normal flora will grow and become opportunistic pathogens.
- Colonization of normal flora differs from a carrier state, where a true pathogen is carried by a healthy person and transmitted to others.
Harmful Character of Flora
- Flora becomes pathogenic when host resistance is lowered
- Abnormal multiplication of flora can cause disease, such as endotoxic shock
- Normal flora byproducts may cause dental issues
- Isolation of normal flora may lead to confusion in diagnosis
- Penicillin-producing organisms can worsen infection by interfering with antibiotic therapy
- Normal flora can act as pathogens in tissues outside their normal habitat like E. coli in the urinary tract causing UTI
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics can disrupt normal flora, allowing drug-resistant bacteria to overgrow.
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