Basics
How many different diseases can be caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae?
Pneumonia, Bacteremia, Sinusitis, Meningitis, and Otitis Media
What the common signs and symptoms of pneumonia?
Cough, fever, chills, shortness of breath, rapid/shallow breathing, and sharp/shooting chest pain.
How many virulence factors does pneumococcal have? And what are they?
Three
Polysaccharide capsule, Proteins (Protease and Neuraminidase) and Pili
What are the three ways someone can become infected?
Inhalation infection due to predisposed risk factors, large dose of infectious cells, or due to a particular virulent strand.
How soon should antibiotic therapy be given?
Immediately following diagnosis
Facultative anaerobe
What age group has a higher percentage of being a carrier?
What does the polysaccharide capsule do?
Prevents immune cells to attach, prevents mechanical removal by mucus, and reduces exposure to antibiotics
Where does the infection colonize?
Nasal cavity - oropharynx and/or nasopharynx
Do outpatients receive the same antibiotic therapy as in hospital patients?
No
How do they vary?
Yes
What does it mean to have rusty sputum as a sign/symptom?
A mixture of rusty colored saliva and mucus and that is coughed up
What do the pneumococcal proteins do?
Protease interferes with host defenses
Neuraminidase prevents attachment and causes damage to host proteins
How does the hosts immune response get initiated?
How many different vaccines are available?
Three
PCV15, PCV20, PPSV23
What is the incubation period?
1 to 3 days
How is this bacteria transmitted?
Direct contact of respiratory droplets (saliva and/or mucus)
What role do the pili play?
Allow for attachment to host to increase the hosts inflammatory response
How does the infection migrate to other organs in the body?
Through the bloodstream
What are the two main daily practices to protect yourself against a Pneumococcal infection?
Good hand hygiene
Quit Smoking
Who can be infected?
Anyone
What is pleuritic chest pain?
Pain that worsens with breathing
Pumps to push the drug out of the cell and by blocking penicillin binding sites.
What leads to the signs and symptoms expressed by the host?
The hosts immune cells are unable to destroy the pathogen completely leading to damage of it's own cells
Can anyone receive any of the vaccines based on their vaccine history and any underlying conditions?
No
Who can receive which type of vaccines?