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Misc.
100

What enzymes does Moxifloxacin inhibit? 

DNA topoisomerase II and IV

100

A patient with pneumonia also has hyponatremia. Which bacteria is likely responsible for this? 

Legionella

100

What are physicians looking for in an x-ray to identify if S. Pneumoniae is present?

lobar consolidation -- dense, homogenous opacity of a single lobe or lung segment

100

What type of vaccine is PCV15/20? 

conjugate

100

Where in the lung does pneumonia infection start?

alveoli

200

What class of drug is moxifloxacin? 

fluoroquinolones

200

Why does S. Pneumoniae cause rust-colored sputum? Describe the mechanism.

1. Alveolar inflammation
2. Capillary damage from pneumolysin
3. RBC breakdown
4. mix with purulent exudate --> red/brown sputum

200

Define egophony

When a patient says “E” and you hear it as a nasal or bleating “A” sound

200

How do you calculate absolute risk reduction? 

ARR = control event rate - experimental event rate

200

Contrast the sensitivity and specificity of chest radiography vs sputum culture in diagnosing pneumonia.

chest radiograph - more sensitive
sputum culture - more specific 

300
What organ primarily metabolizes Moxifloxacin, and through which pathways?  

Liver - through glucuronide and sulfate conjugation (phase II reactions), NOT cytochrome P450.

300

List 2 similarities and 2 differences between S. Pneumoniae and Legionella immune evasion.

Both: avoid immune clearance to prevent being killed by innate immune cells + disrupt host cytokine signaling
Differences: S. Pneumoniae is extracellular, legionella lives intracellularly inside macrophages. S. Pneumoniae can be transmitted person-to-person, legionella is transmitted via bodies of water. 

300

Explain how PCR works to detect S. Pneumoniae infection.

PCR detects DNA that is specific to S. Pneumoniae in a sample (such as sputum, blood) and amplifies it. 

300

Between PCV15/20 and PPSV23 vaccines, which induces a stronger immunity, and why? 

PCV15/20 because they are T-cell dependent. 

300

Compare and contrast typical vs atypical pneumonia.

typical: sudden onset, caused by bacteria like S. Pneumoniae, productive cough w rust colored sputum

atypical: gradual onset, caused by fungi, less common bacteria like legionella, dry cough

400

What cardiac side effect is associated with moxiflocaxin (and its class of drugs)? 

lengthened QT leading to torsade de pointes

400

List the features of S. Pneumoniae, including gram +/- and at least 3 other identifying traits.

S. Pneumoniae is gram positive, alpha-hemolytic, found as lancet-shaped diplococci, bile-soluble and optochin sensitive.
Bonus: what does this mean? 

400

What does the S. Pneumoniae urine antigen test look for? (specific)

Cell wall polysaccharide of S. Pneumoniae, which is released during infection and can pass into urine. 

400
Why is the pneumonia vaccine only recommended in older adults/those who are immunocompromised?

The vaccine has highest benefit for those populations, and may not justify side effects for younger/healthier people. 

400

Explain why pneumonia often produces pleuritic chest pain even though alveoli themselves lack pain fibers.

Pneumonia leads to inflammation outside of the alveoli, including the pleura (especially parietal, which has a lot of nerves)

500

What are some precautions to taking Moxifloxacin? 

myasthenia gravis, neurotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, psychiatric event, tendinitis, tendon rupture

500

Which (2) interleukins do S. Pneumoniae inhibit, and what do these interleukins do? 

IL6: pleiotropic effects, mediates innate and adaptive immunity
IL8: attracts and activates neutrophils

500

Why might a physician prefer to use a urine antigen test instead of sputum culture? 

sputum culture can take 3-5 days, urine antigen test is faster

500

A new pneumococcal vaccine trial shows incidence of pneumonia is 6% in the placebo group and 3% in the vaccine group. Calculate the ARR (absolute risk reduction), RRR (relative risk reduction), and NNT(number needed to treat). Interpret each.

ARR = CER - EER = 0.06 -0.03 = 0.03

RRR = ARR/CER = 0.5

NNT = 1/ARR = 33.3 ~ 34 

500

Which microorganism(s) are likely to cause community acquired pneumonia? Which microorganisms cause hospital acquires pneumonia? 

CAP: mostly S. Pneumoniae
HAP: aerobic gram negative bacteria, staph aureus