Bacterial Genital Infections

Flashcards about bacterial genital infections, clinical presentation and testing in the laboratory

What is endometritis?

Inflammation of the uterine lining.

What is salpingitis?

Inflammation of the fallopian tubes.

What is peritonitis?

The peritoneal lining around the pelvic structures is inflamed.

Why is it important to grow the gonorrhea organism?

To follow the strains and determine their differing levels of resistance to antibiotics.

Why should swabs for gonorrhea not be refrigerated?

Because gonorrhea does not like cold temperatures and needs to be transported to the lab as quickly as possible.

What does MIC stand for?

The minimum inhibitory concentration.

Where do gonorrhea and chlamydia organisms typically grow in females?

On the cervix.

When testing for gonorrhea or chlamydia in females, why must a cervical swab be taken?

A cervical swab should be taken to sample the cervical cells where the organisms grow.

What are some symptoms women might experience with gonorrhea?

Urethritis, increased vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain, and anal itching.

What complications can occur in women if gonorrhea infection is missed?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometritis, salpingitis, peritonitis, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.

What medical emergency can result from damage to the fallopian tubes caused by pelvic inflammatory disease?

An ectopic pregnancy.

What is the difference between conjunctivitis and keratitis?

Inflammation of the conjunctiva is called conjunctivitis, while infection involving the window of the eye is called keratitis.

What is the term for an eye infection in a neonate caused by gonorrhea?

Ophthalmia neonatorum.

What is one form of disseminated gonococcal infection discussed in the lecture?

Septic arthritis.

How would a classic gonorrhea gram stain in a male be reported?

Three plus polymorphs and intracellular gram negative diplococci.

Why is a selective agar added when taking an eye swab from a baby?

To prevent skin organisms from masking the presence of gonorrhea.

What are fimbriae in the context of Neisseria gonorrhoeae?

Proteins on the surface of the organism that aid in attachment and adhesion.

What are lipo-oligosaccharides (LOS) and what do they do?

Shorter lipopolysaccharides that act as endotoxins and decoys for antibodies.

How does beta lactamase production lead to penicillin resistance?

It can cleave cephalosporins, releasing a colored product.

How does chromosomal resistance affect the binding of penicillins and cephalosporins?

The binding of penicillins and cephalosporins can change, leading to a different pattern of resistance.