patient case files
a patient has a red, swollen eye with watering, pus-like mucus, and crusting around the eye. what disease is most likely?
bonus (+100): name a primary causative agent.
bacterial conjunctivitis.
bonus answer: haemophilus influenzae, a gram-negative bacillus
which Gram-positive coccus is a major cause of boils, styes, folliculitis, and other skin infections?
bonus (+100): what is its methicillin-resistant form called?
staphylococcus aureus
bonus answer: MRSA - methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
which insect transmits loa loa to humans?
bonus (+100): name one way to reduce exposure
chrysops deer fly
bonus answer: use insect repellent or wear long sleeves and pants
which tests can help identify the cause of a suspected staphyloccal skin infection?
bonus (+100): what gram reaction and shape does S. aureus have?
gram stain and culture
bonus answer: gram-positive cocci
which disease has been eradicated worldwide and is associated with firm pustules?
bonus (+100): name its causative virus
smallpox
bonus answer: variola virus
a patient develops severe pain and discoloration around a wound. the skin looks shiny (lustrous), then rapidly dies, and sensation decreases. what disease is suspected?
bonus (+100): name the primary bacterium
necrotizing fasciitis
bonus answer: streptococcus pygenes, a gram-positive coccus
which virus causes both chickenpox and shingles?
bonus (+100): what is its capsid shape?
varicella-zoster virus
bonus answer: icosahedral; it's an enveloped group I virus
a child inhales respiratory particles from an infected person and later develops chickenpox. how was the virus transmitted?
bonus (+100): which vaccine helps prevent this disease?
airborne/respiratory transmission
bonus answer: varicella vaccine
a clinician suspects a fungal skin infection. name one method used to help diagnose dermatophytosis.
bonus (+100): name an antifungal example.
visual examination, microscopy, or fungal culture
bonus answer: clotrimazole
what term describes localized swelling that may occur with loiasis?
bonus (+100): name the vector that transmits loa loa
angioedema
bonus answer: chrysops deer fly
a patient has itchy, expanding, ring-shaped skin lesions with redness and scaling. what type of infection is this?
bonus (+100): name one causative fungal genus
dermatophytosis (ringworm)
bonus answer: trichophyton, microsporum, or epidermophyton
which three fungal genera commonly cause dermatophytosis?
bonus (+100): what substances do these fungi interact with in skin, hair, and nails?
trichophyton, microsporum, and epidermophyton
bonus answer: keratin
how can bacterial conjunctivitis spread between people?
bonus (+100): name one prevention method
direct or indirect contact with infected eye, throat, or nasal secretions; it can also pass during birth
bonus answer: hand hygiene, sanitation, avoiding touching the eyes, or neonatal preventine eye drops
bonus (+100): name one additional treatment that may be needed for an abscess or infected tissue.
vancomycin.
bonus answer: drainage or debridement
which skin infection can cause pustules, boils, impetigo, paronychia, and sometimes serious systemic disease?
bonus (+100): what does MRSA stand for?
staphylococcal infection
bonus answer: methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
years after recovering from chickenpox, a patient develops burning pain, tingling, skin sensitivity, and a blistering rash. what disease is this?
bonus (+100): what virus causes it?
herpes zoster (shingles)
bonus answer: varicella-zoster virus
which virus causes mpox and is classified in Group I?
bonus (+100):
bonus answer: complex; dumbbell-shaped
a person develops dermatophytosis after walking barefoot in a warm, damp communal area. what was the likely transmission route?
bonus (+100): name one prevention method
indirect contact with contaminated surfaces
bonus answer: wear footwear in communal areas, avoid sharing personal items, or maintain good hygiene
a suspected measles patient has Koplik’s spots and a maculopapular rash. name another diagnostic method.
bonus (+100): which vaccine helps prevent measles?
serological testing.
bonus answer: MMR vaccine
a patient has fever, headache, malaise, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and itchy blisters. years later, the virus may reactivate. name the initial disease.
bonus (+100): what is the later reactivation called?
varicella (chickenpox)
bonus answer: herpes zoster (shingles)
a patient has fever, cough, conjunctivitis, a maculopapular rash, and Koplik’s spots inside the mouth. what disease is most likely?
bonus (+100): how is it primarily transmitted?
measles
bonus answer: airborne respiratory particles
which nematode causes loiasis?
bonus (+100): what type of organism is it?
loa loa
bonus answer: a parasitic helminth, specifically a roundworm (nematode)
how is mpox commonly transmitted?
bonus (+100): what test can detect viral DNA?
direct contact with infected lesions or bodily fluids; certain animal exposures can also transmit it
bonus answer: PCR
how is loiasis diagnosed in the lab?
bonus (+100): what medication is used to treat it under medical supervision?
identification of microfilariae in blood.
bonus answer: diethylcarbamazine (DEC)
which rapidly progressing infection can lead to sepsis, septic shock, and possible amputation if treatment is delayed?
bonus (+100): name one major treatment approach
necrotizing fasciitis
bonus answer: urgent surgical debridement/excision and broad-spectrum antibiotics; amputation may be necessary