Diagnosing rickettsial infection by cultivation in the laboratory is both difficult and hazardous because of the easy aerosolization of the bacteria, so PCR and ELISA are commonly used. Doxycycline is the first-line drug to treat acute Q fever. In chronic Q fever,
doxycycline is often paired with
hydroxychloroquine .
Bacterial diseases of the respiratory tract
Numerous pathogens can cause infections of the respiratory tract. Many of these infections produce similar signs and symptoms, but appropriate treatment depends on accurate diagnosis through laboratory testing. The tables in
[link] and
[link] summarize the most important bacterial respiratory infections, with the latter focusing specifically on forms of bacterial pneumonia.
Key concepts and summary
A wide variety of bacteria can cause respiratory diseases; most are treatable with antibiotics or preventable with vaccines.
Streptococcus pyogenes causes
strep throat , an infection of the pharynx that also causes high fever and can lead to
scarlet fever ,
acute rheumatic fever , and
acute glomerulonephritis .
Acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear that may be caused by several bacteria, including
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and
Moraxella catarrhalis . The infection can block the eustachian tubes, leading to
otitis media with effusion .
Diphtheria , caused by
Corynebacterium diphtheriae , is now a rare disease because of widespread vaccination. The bacteria produce exotoxins that kill cells in the pharynx, leading to the formation of a
pseudomembrane ; and damage other parts of the body.
Bacterialpneumonia results from infections that cause inflammation and fluid accumulation in the alveoli. It is most commonly caused by
S. pneumoniae or
H. influenzae . The former is commonly multidrug resistant.
Mycoplasma pneumonia results from infection by
Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; it can spread quickly, but the disease is mild and self-limiting.
Chlamydial pneumonia can be caused by three pathogens that are obligate intracellular parasites.
Chlamydophila pneumoniae is typically transmitted from an infected person, whereas
C. psittaci is typically transmitted from an infected bird.
Chlamydia trachomatis , may cause pneumonia in infants.
Several other bacteria can cause pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals and those with cystic fibrosis.
Tuberculosis is caused by
Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Infection leads to the production of protective
tubercles in the alveoli and calcified
Ghon complexes that can harbor the bacteria for a long time. Antibiotic-resistant forms are common and treatment is typically long term.
Pertussis is caused by
Bordetella pertussis . Mucus accumulation in the lungs leads to prolonged severe coughing episodes (whooping cough) that facilitate transmission. Despite an available vaccine, outbreaks are still common.
Legionnaires disease is caused by infection from environmental reservoirs of the
Legionella pneumophila bacterium. The bacterium is endocytic within macrophages and infection can lead to pneumonia, particularly among immunocompromised individuals.
Q fever is caused by
Coxiella burnetii , whose primary hosts are domesticated mammals (zoonotic disease). It causes pneumonia primarily in farm workers and can lead to serious complications, such as endocarditis.
Fill in the blank
Calcified lesions called _______ form in the lungs of patients with TB.
Bacteria doesn't produce energy they are dependent upon their substrate in case of lack of nutrients they are able to make spores which helps them to sustain in harsh environments
_Adnan
But not all bacteria make spores, l mean Eukaryotic cells have Mitochondria which acts as powerhouse for them, since bacteria don't have it, what is the substitution for it?
Assimilatory nitrate reduction is a process that occurs in some microorganisms, such as bacteria and archaea, in which nitrate (NO3-) is reduced to nitrite (NO2-), and then further reduced to ammonia (NH3).
Elkana
This process is called assimilatory nitrate reduction because the nitrogen that is produced is incorporated in the cells of microorganisms where it can be used in the synthesis of amino acids and other nitrogen products
There are nothing like emergency disease but there are some common medical emergency which can occur simultaneously like Bleeding,heart attack,Breathing difficulties,severe pain heart stock.Hope you will get my point .Have a nice day ❣️
_Adnan
define infection ,prevention and control
Innocent
I think infection prevention and control is the avoidance of all things we do that gives out break of infections and promotion of health practices that promote life