Diagnostic Studies > Microbiology > Flashcards

Microbiology Flashcards

(62 cards)

Study These Flashcards
1
Q

Specimen Transport Materials (5 c what is transported in each, 1 medium c 3 subtypes)

A
  1. Sterile container
    • Urine
    • Body fluids
    • Tissue
  2. Transport media (keeps microbe alive for specific time)
    1. Amines, Stuarts
      • Routine cultures
      • Anaerobes
    2. Boric Acid
      • Urine
    3. Carey-Blair
      • Bacterial stool cultures
  3. Blood culture bottles
    • Aerobes
    • Anaerobes
    • Pediatric
  4. JEMBEC plate (isolates CO2)
    • N. gonorrhoeae
  5. NAAT transport kits (supplied by manufacturer for specific assays)
    • N. gonorrhoeae
    • C. trachomatis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Gram Stain (general procedure, 5 clinical uses)

A

“Procedure”: Direct staining of clinical samples. Only really reliable c associated culture

Applications:

  • **Determine presence of white cells **(specifically neutrophils)
  • Detrmine presence of “other diagnostic cells”
  • Determine presence of invading organisms
  • Identify predominating organism
  • Evaluate normal flora
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Info included in Gram stain results

A
  1. +/- bacterial presence
  2. morphology (cocci, rod, diplococci) if bacteria present
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Gram Stain Clinical Uses (4 tissues, purpose of eval of each)

A
  1. Sterile body fluids/wounds
    • Presence of WBC
    • Predominating bacteria/fungi
  2. Sputum (this is the best fluid for Gram staining)
    • Presence of WBC
    • Predominating organism
  3. Vaginal fluid
    • Bacterial vaginosis
  4. Stool
    • Presence of WBC
    • Campylobacter bacteria

Note: Skin and stool should contain normal flora. Bacteria in other samples is concerning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Blood and Sterile Body Fluid Gram Stain/Culture Indications; Provide microbe for the following initial reports and general significance of this information

  1. ​Gram + cocci in cluster
  2. Gram + cocci in pairs and chains
  3. Gram + rods
  4. Gram - rods
  5. Gram - diplococci
A
  1. Staphylococci
  2. Streptococci/Enterococci
  3. Bacillus/Clostridium/Cornebacterium
  4. None stated
  5. Neisseria

Significance: The preliminary reports will tell you this, so no real need to memorize. This preliminary information can guide your initial treatment before culture returns

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Respiratory Infections (2 categories, 4/6 distribution)

A
  • Lower Respiratory
    1. Bronchitis
    2. Bronchiolitis
    3. Pneumonia
    4. Chronic
  • Upper Respiratory
    1. Pharyngitis
    2. Tonsilitis
    3. Laryngitis
    4. Rhinitis
    5. Misc.
    6. Oral cavity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Pharyngitis (3 causative microbes, collection media)

A
  1. Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A strep)
    • Rapid antigen test (in office)
    • Culture (only send if rapid antigen is -)
  2. ​Arcanobacterium haemolyticum
    • ​​Culture only
  3. ​Corynebacterium diptheriae
    • Must request
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Tonsilitis (2 causative microbes)

A
  1. Streptococcus pyogenes
  2. Anaerobic bacteria
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Pertussis/whooping cough (1 causative bacteria, collection material)

A

Bordetella pertussis

  • molecular detection assay

(May last up to 6 weeks)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Rhinitis and Laryngitis causative agent

A

Many viruses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Oral Cavity Infections (2 specific conditions, each c 1 causative agent)

A
  1. Stomatitis, caused by HSV
  2. Thrush, caused by Candida spp. (yeast)

These infections are primarily limited to immunocompromised individuals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Group A Strep Pharyngitis (causative microbe, general s/sx, 2 sequelae)

A

Bacteria: Strep. pyogenes

  • Gram + cocci in chains. NEVER FIND THIS OUT THRU GRAM STAIN. IT IS NEVER APPROPRIATE TO GRAM STAIN A THROAT CULTURE

S/Sx: Dysphagia, sometimes white exudate

Sequelae (if untreated):

  • Rheumatic fever
  • Acute glomerulonephritis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Scarlet fever (1 causative microbe, general s/sx)

A

Microbe: Special type of group A strep that produces pyrogenic exotoxins that cause characteristic s/sx

S/Sx: Red sandpaper rash + “straberry” tongue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Diptheria (1 causative microbe, transmission, s/sx)

A

Microbe: Corynebacterium diptheria

  • Gram + bacillus
  • Variable toxin production depending on strain. This will dictate s/sx

Transmission:

  • Sneezing
  • Respiratory secretions

S/Sx:

  • Pharyngeal only, organism accum + fibrin + inflamm cells form classic pseudomembrane over tonsils, larynx, pharynx, posterior nasal passages after 2-7 day incubation period
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Pertussis (1 causative microbe, ID methodology, 3 stage disease progression)

A

Microbe: Bordetella pertussis

  • Gram - bacillus

ID: PCR

Pathogenesis:

  1. Catarrhal - most infectious
  2. Paroxysmal - “whooping” cough
  3. Convalescent
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Rapid strep test sensitivity

A

80%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Name the causative microbe(s) of the following lower respiratory infections

  1. Bronchitis
  2. Bronchiolitis
  3. Chronic
A
  1. Usually viral, but consider B. pertussis (esp in young children)
  2. Viral
  3. Mycobacteria
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Community-acquired Pneumonia (3 age groups, each c 1 causative agent)

A
  1. Children - viral (80% of the time. Viral panels offered)
  2. Young adults - Mycoplasma pneumoniae
  3. Adults - Streptococcus pneumoniae (usually. almost always bacteria)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Nosocomial Pneumonia (5 causative agents)

A

Leading cause of hospital deaths

  1. Gram - rods
    • E. coli
    • Klebsiella pneumonia
    • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  2. Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
  3. Streptococcus pneumoniae
  4. Haemophilus influenzae
  5. Legionella pneumophila
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Typical persistent CF infections (6)

A
  1. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  2. Staphylococcus aureus
  3. Haemophilus influenzae
  4. Burkholderia cepacia complex
  5. Aspergillus spp. (not bacterial)
  6. RSV (not bacterial)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

RSV (full name, pt pop, diagnostic eval)

A

Name: Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Pt Pop: very young children, almost exclusively in winter months

Dx: molecular viral panel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Ebstein Barr Virus (disease, 2 diagnostic tests)

A

Disease: Infectious mononucleosis (Pharyngitis/tonsilitis)

Diagnostics:

  1. Hetrophile antibodies
  2. Monospot, ELISA
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Influenza Virus (3 strains, those who should receive vaccination, tx)

A

Strains:

  1. A (most pathogenic, H1N1)
  2. B
  3. C

Vaccination:

  1. >65 yo
  2. children/adol. on chronic asprin therapy
  3. nursing home residents
  4. lung/heart disease sufferers
  5. healthcare workers

Tx: Neuramidase inhibitors for those at high risk

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Laboratory criteria for sputum and trachial aspirate culture rejection (and explianation)

A

Rejection criteria: >10 squamous cells/low power field sample

Explaination: these body fluids should be void of normal flora. This number of squamous cells represents a contaminated sample.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
% of pneumococcal pneumonia pt blood/sputum cultures + for S. pneumoniae
Less than 16% of cases test positively, due to low sensitivity of cultures
26
Eye Infections. Name causitive agents for the following: 1. Blepharitis 2. Conjunctivitis 3. Keratitis
1. S. Aureus, HSV 2. H. influenzae, C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, viruses 3. More dependent on trauma than microbe
27
Ear Infections. Name causative agents of the following (2 each): 1. Otitis Externa 2. Otitis Media
1. S. aureus, P. aerugiosa * P. aeruginosa smells like grapes 2. H. influenzae, S. pyogenes (group A strep)
28
Skin/Soft Tissue Wound Infections. Name microbes that can effect the following wounds: 1. Postoperative infections (2) 2. Bites (4, 2 categories) 3. Burns (5)
1. Indigenous microflora, nosocomial 2. Two categories * *Human*: Group A strep, alpha hemolytic (virdans) streptococci, Eikenella corrodens * *Dog*: Pasturella spp. 3. S. aureus, S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, various strep species, Candida spp.
29
Shallow epidermal infectious agents (4, reference associated diseases)
*Erysipelas, impetigo, folliculitis, furuncles, carbuncles* * S. aureus * S. pyogenes (group A strep) * P. aeruginosa * Fungal infections in keratinized layer* * Dermatophytes
30
Deep epidermal infectious agents (2 causative agents)
1. S. aureus - *most common for SQ tissue infections* 2. S. pyogenes (group A strep) - *most common for cellulitis * ## Footnote **Cellulitis, "subcutaneous tissue infections" (abscesses, ulcers, boils)**
31
Necrotizing Fasciitis (causative agent, s/sx)
_Agent_: S. pyogenes (most common) **"flesh eating bacteria"** _S/Sx_: * Deep subcutaneous infection, destroying fascia and fat * Darkened skin * Blisters c bullae * Gangrene * Necrosis * High mortality rate
32
Anthrax Toxicity (causative agent, transmission, s/sx)
_Agent_: Bacillus anthracis bacteria _Transmission_: through breaks in skin. sources include * Farm animals: sheep, cattle, goats, swine * **Bioterrorism (therefore all cases must be reported to CDC)** _S/Sx_: * Dermatologic - necrotic lesion * Systemic - adenopathy, fever, malaise * Pulmonary - dyspnea, cough, pneumonia
33
Tetanus (causative agent and its infection patterns, pathogenesis, pt pop)
_Agent and pattern_: **Clostridium tetani**, anaerobic spore-forming bacteria whose spores will germinate in deep wounds _Pathogenesis_: germinated spores will release neurotoxin that causes uncontrolled spasm and exaggerated reflexes _Pt pop_: * Elderly * Migrant workers * IV drug users
34
Skin infections caused by Human Papillomavirus (2)
1. Various warts: skin, laryngeal, anogenital, cervical 2. Direct cause of cervical cancer ## Footnote *Some vaccinations exist*
35
Skin infections caused by Varicella zoster (2, characteristics)
1. Chicken pox, single infection = lifelong immunity 2. Shingles (post herpetic neuralgia) = reactivation of dormant virus in ganglia * Zostavax will reduce incidence
36
What type of Gram bacteria (+ or -) grow on MacConkey's agar?
Gram - (usually)
37
Cat Bites (causative agent, "3" diagnostic tests)
_Agent_: Pasteurella spp., Gram - rods _Diagnostics_: 1. Gram stain 2. MacConkey's agar (**I****t won't grow here! Usually Gram - rods will)** 3. Culture
38
Bloodstream Infection Types (List and describe three)
1. **Continuous**: Organisms released ito bloodstream at constant rate * *Septic shock, bacterial endocarditis, infected intravascular catheter* 2. *​***Intermittent**: Demonstrated in patient's c infections at a distal rate * Urinary tract, lungs, soft tissue * *Note: appearance of clinical symptoms does not always correlate c presence of microorganisms in the bloodstream. Reccomended procedure is 2-3 sets drawn over a 24 hour period* 3. **Transient**: Organisms present in bloodstream for a short period of time as a result of manipulation * Dental work, surgery @ non-sterile site
39
Factors affecting blood culture results (2 c associated good practices)
1. **Sterility**: Follow disinfecting procedure exactly and allow area to dry prior to venipuncture. Also, draw from two sites to reduce skin contaminants 2. **Volume**: Most blood culture bottles require 10 ml of sample for optimal results (3 ml in peds)
40
Types of Bloodstream Infections (2, explain)
1. **Intravascular**: originates within cardiovascular system 2. **Extravascular**: infectious agent enters blood circulation thorugh lympatic system from another site of infection * Causes more clinically significant bacteremia * Occurs when a local is not completely cleared by reticulo-endothelial system and phagocytic cells
41
Infective Endocarditis (pathogenesis, 11 causative agents - 1 important one)
_Pathogenesis_: Vegetation forms on cardiac endothelial surface. This provides environment for transient microorganisms to colonize, resulting in **continuous** bacteremia _Causative Agents_: 1. **Virdans strep** (most common, will probably won't be reported as this, though. It will be reported as a the group of strep that it is) 2. Abiotrophia 3. Ganulicatella 4. S. bovis 5. S. aureus (usually in IV drug users) 6. Coagulase negative straphylococci (CNS) 7. Enterobacteriaceae 8. Pseudomonas spp. 9. Haemophilus spp. 10. Fastidius GNRs 11. Yeast
42
IV and catheter-associated infections (6 causative agents, infiltration methods)
_Organism Entry_: 1. Skin entry site 2. Migration down lumen to catheter tip _Causative Agents_: 1. **S. epidermidis, other coagulase negative staphyloccocci (CNS)** 2. **S. aureus** 3. Enterobacteriaceae 4. P. aeruginosa 5. Candida spp. 6. corynebacterium spp.
43
Entry Methods, Extravascular Infections (6)
1. "Unknown" Route 2. Genitourinary tract 3. Respiratory tract 4. Abscesses 5. Misc. sites 6. Surgical wound infections ## Footnote *Listed from most to least common*
44
Sterile Body Fluids (List 6)
1. CSF 2. Pleural fluid 3. Peritoneal fluid 4. Peritoneal dialylsis fluid 5. Pericardial fluid 6. Synovial fluid
45
CSF Collection and Transport (6 rules)
1. Use sterile (aseptic) needle into lumbar space 2. Collect 3-4 tubes 3. Separate tubes: first two cannot go to micro (to elim chance of skin flora contamination) 4. Hand deliver specimens to lab, if possible 5. Do not refrigerate if indended for bacterial study 6. Do refrigerate if intended for viral study (freeze if test will occur in \>24 hours)
46
CSF Result Interpretation. List the following qualities that appy to normal, bacterial infection, viral infection, TB/fungal infection: 1. WBC/mm3 2. WBC type 3. Protein mg/dL 4. Glucose mg/dL
*For our purposes,* PMN = neutrophils Mononuclear = probably lymphocytes*Usually won't have the cell type unless in a cell count*
47
Quickest CSF diagnostic tool
CSF Gram stain will yield results in minutes. Cytospin specimen for optimal results Agents revealed via CSF Gram: 1. S. pneumonia 2. N. meningitidis
48
Encephalitis (causative agents, presentation, common time of year)
_Agents_: 1. HSV-1 2. Arboviruses * West Nile * St. Louis * EEE * Western equine 3. HHV-6 (human herpes virus) * same as measles, mumps, varicella-zoster _Presentation_: Only in HSV-1 encephalitis * Bloody CSF * **very high** protein (more than typical CSF viruses) * **low glucose** (less than typical CSF viruses) _Common Time_: Warmer months
49
Pleural Fluid Collection Techniques (3)
1. Thoracentesis (needle aspiration) collection 2. If blood culture bottles are inoculated at bedside, additional specimen is required for gram stain * This is true for all sterile body fluids except for CSF, which cannot be collected in blood culture bottles 3. Ideally, submit greater than 5mL for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) cultures * You order **acid fast culture**
50
Pericardial Fluid Collection Method
Collect via electrocardiograph assisted needle aspiration -or- as surgical procedure *Most commonly viral infections*
51
Complicated vs. Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections
**Complicated** * Occurs in either sex * Pts almost always predisposed * structural abnormality * kidney infection or predisposition * indwelling catheters * More than 105 cfu/mL **Uncomplicated ** * Occurs in healthy females * Usualy respond well to tx * More than 105 cfu/mL *CFU = colony forming unit*
52
Types of Urinary Tract Infections (5)
1. Urethritis 2. Asymptomatic bacteriuria 3. Cystitis 4. Urethral syndrome * Young, sexually active females c dysuria/frequency/urgency 5. Pyelonephritis * Bacterial kidney inflamation
53
UTI Testing (modality, 2 tests)
_Modality_: Urine dipstick screening * Aim for midstream sample _Tests_: 1. Nitrate Reductase * detects urinary nitrate present in UTI * detects nitrate reducing enzymes 2. Leukocyte esterase * detects enzyme products of inflammatory cells * not sensitive enough to detect WBC's themselves * for acute urethral syndrome
54
Common Community Aquired UTI (6 causative agents)
1. E. coli 2. Klebsiella spp. 3. Staphylococcus saprophyticus 4. Enterobacter spp. 5. Proteus spp. 6. Pseudomas aeruginosa
55
STD - Gonorrhea (causative agent, structure, s/sx, dx)
_Agent_: Neisseria gonorrhoeae _Structure_: **Gram - diplococci ** _S/Sx_: * *Males - *milky discharge * *Females - *dysuria, urgency, vaginitis/cervicitis _Diagnosis_: 1. Intracellular organisms on Gram stain (male only) 2. NAAT (hopefully required one day for sexual abuse cases) 3. Culture (required for sexual abuse cases)
56
STD - Chlamydia (causative agent, S/Sx, diagnosis)
_Agent_: Chlamydia trachomatis _S/Sx_: * *Males - *most common cause of non-gonococcal urethritis * *Females - *asymptomatic, but can lead to PID and infertility _Diagnosis_: Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT) *_Note_: gram stain will show no organisms*
57
Botulism (causative agent, etiology, transmission method, dx test)
_Causative Agent_: Clostridium botulinum, a spore-forming anaerobe _Etiology_: Ingestion of neurotoxin results inflaccid paralysis which eventually invades respiratory system _Transmission_: Food that contains the neurotoxin-producing microbe * Home-canned/cured foods * Honey (most common agent for infant infection) _Diagnostic Test_: molecular assay of stool sample (takes less than 1 hour to process)
58
Pseudomembranous Colitis - Nosocomial (causative agent, etiology, dx test)
_Agent_: Clostridium difficile _Etiology_: Reduction of normal bowel flora allows for neurotoxin production. This reduction is usualy due to long term/immunocompromised antibiotic adminstration _Dx_: Demonstration of neurotoxin, probably by molecular assay of stool sample
59
Salmonella spp. vs. Salmonella typhi
**_Salmonella spp._** * **Fecal-oral route**, followed by ingestion of contaminated foods. Poultry, reptiles, and turtles can also be the initial vector * Requires **large dose** to be infectious * Causes **Gastroenteritis **after 6-48 hr incubation * Self-limiting **_Salmonella typhi_** * **Fecal-oral route**, followed by organism entry into intestinal mucosa where they replicate, get engulfed by macrophages, and use them to transport through the body * May shed intermittently, if colonized in GB * Frequently isolated from blood and stool * Causes **Typhoid Mary (Typhoid/enteric fever)**
60
Bacterial Gastroenteritis (most common causitive agent, structure, tranmission, s/sx, dx test, tx)
_Agent_: Campylobacter _Structure_: Small curved rods, characteristic shape _Transmission_: Fecal-oral, animals (99% chicken carcasses test positive) _S/Sx_: bloody diarrhea, among others _Dx tests_: Gram stain requiring special media and incubation above body temperature (42 degrees)
61
Viral Gastroenteritis (2 causative agents, transmission, dx test for one, pt populations)
_Agents_: 1. Rotavirus 2. Norwalk Virus _Transmission_: Generally, fecal-oral 1. RV survives well on inanimate objects 2. NV may have aerosolized vomitis transmission _Dx_: Rotavirus present via ELISA or EIA _Pt Pop_: 1. RV in peds, \<5yo 2. NV on cruise ships
62
List type (B/V/P), +/- fever, clinical presentation, and presence of fecal WBC for the following pathogens: 1. Salmonella 2. Shigella 3. Campylobacter 4. E. Coli O157:H7 5. Yersinia 6. C. difficle 7. Rotavirus 8. Norwalk Virus 9. Giardia 10. Cryptosporidium 11. E. hystolytica
Diagnostic Studies
flashcards
Decks in class (11)
# Cards
Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2026 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions