Introduction Classically, the field of infectious diseases involves a lot of memorization.
Memorizing the spectrum of antibiotic coverage is essential for clinical practice but can be an arduous process.
Unlike other medical specialties, the field of infectious diseases is not limited a specific organ. It is our task determine the causative organ that is responsible for infection. At the same time, it is vital to investigate the possible pathogens causing the disease.
It is this analytical thought process that is fascinating in this clinical field.
The following slides focus on this thought process when facing infectious diseases.
A 50yo woman with no significant past medical history (PHx) presented with 2 days of fever and general malaise. On admission, 2 sets of blood cultures (BCx) were taken, revealing gram positive cocci occurring in chains. Further investigation confirmed a diagnosis of infective endocarditis. Physical Exam and Laboratory Results The patient presented with good oral hygiene. There were no apparent oral lesions that could have served as the portal of entry of oral streptococci.
However, the GPC was confirmed to be Streptococcus oralis!!
During the second interview:
The patient mentioned that “she should’ve taken better care of her teeth."
She had observed blood from her gums when she brushed her teeth and believed it to be “dirty blood.” It is revealed that she brushed her teeth three times a day, so aggressively that it caused her gums to bleed.
Approaching Infectious Diseases: Organ Pathogen ABx Patient Hx / PHx, should be taken. Laboratory tests should be performed with the following in mind:
①Organ involvement ②Causative organism ③Likely diagnosis
If an infection is suspected:
2 sets of blood cultures (BCx) must be taken and the gram stain must be performed. Taking Patient Hx
+
Physical Examination
+
Lab(L/D, Imaging etc.)
※Relevant positive/negative findings Principles of Selection:
Efficacy
Narrow spectrum
Organ distribution
Adverse effect
Affordability (low price) Taking Patient Hx
+
Gram stain/Culture
+
Lab(Culture, Ag/Ab, PCR)
Key Elements ofPneumonia Follow-up Organ Pathogen ABx Lung
Chest ex) imaging, lab findings →TB, HIV
S. aureus→Infective endocarditis ① RR ② Volume of sputum
③ Gram stain Patient Hx
Streptococcus pneumoniae 23.2% of community-acquired pneumonia.
GPDC; gram-positive lancet-shaped diplococci.
Lancet form
Halos are capsular membranes that may be present around the bacillus. The gram stain reveals a transparent zone surrounding the organism.
Haemophilus influenzae 18.6% of community-acquired pneumonia.
GNCB; gram-negative coccobacilli.
Small size
It is difficult to distinguish whether they are a coccus or bacillus due to their small size.
Moraxella catarrhalis 6.1% of community-acquired pneumonia.
GNDC; gram-negative coccobacilli.
Kidney-shaped
Phagocytic image is remarkable.
It is impossible to distinguish it from other species such as Neisseria meningitidis or Acinetobacter spp. by its shape alone.
Klebsiella pneumoniae 3.4% of community-acquired pneumonia.
GNR-large(GNlR); gram negative large rod.
Box-shaped, stubby, blunted circle.
Pink mucoids may be observed around the bacillus.
Mucoid can also be seen in P.aeruginosa.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 3.7% of community-acquired pneumonia.
GNR-small(GNsR); gram-negative small rod.
It is thinner than E.coli.
It is can be confused with other gram-negative rods due to the presence of pink mucoids that masks its “thin body” characteristic.
Staphylococcus aureus 0.6% of community-acquired pneumonia.
GPC-cluster; gram-positive cocci occurring in clusters.
No morphological distinction can be made between MSSA and MRSA.
Polymicrobial Infections When both gram positive and gram negative bacteria are found in large numbers, it is difficult to determine the dominant causative organism.
Aspiration pneumonia is suspected when both polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) and numerous squamous epithelial (Epi) are seen.
Gram stain The causative pathogen can be predicted by organ involvement and patient history. The true Identity of the organism can only be determined by the results of the culture, which can take several days to complete.
Gram staining is a quick and cheap method to narrow down the likely causative organisms.
To become proficient at gram staining, it is vital to have viable specimens, a place to perform the stain, an instructor, and most importantly, ample practice.
Key Elements of Urinary Tract Infections Patient Hx Follow-up Organ Cystitis
Pyelonephritis(+ureteral stones)
Prostatitis
Epididymitis
Catheter-related UTIs Abx ① Costovertebral angle tenderness ② Gram stain
③ Look for signs of abscess or obstruction (if treatment course remains unsatisfactory) Pathogen
Common in the community:
PEK; Proteus, E.coli, Klebsiella Non-fermenting bacteria
(=commonly seen in device-related infection)
Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter Wet Environments (commonly seen in hospitals and nursing care institutes)
PM-SEC; Providencia, Morganella, Serratia, Enterobacter, Citrobacter
This group has autosomal β-lactamase (AmpC)
that hydrolyzed cephalosporins ESBL
This β-lactamase is present in the plasmid and degrades penicillin and cephalosporin AmpC
AmpC is induced by abx exposure and is produced in excess in these organisms. It confers a wide spectrum of resistance against penicillin and cephalosporin MDRP
P. aeruginosa that is resistant to all types of carbapenems, quinolones, and aminoglycosides Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae
These strains produce carbapenemase known as CPE. Enterobacteriaceae AMR (Antimicrobial resistance)
Water supply and drainage systems The gram stain of pus from near tracheal foramen Catheter-related bloodstream infection Cutaneous fistula, infection near the
tracheal foramen Catheter-related UTI P. aeruginosa on the water faucet
Assessing the Risk of AMR Recent history of antimicrobial treatment (including outpatient oral antimicrobials)
Recent hospitalization
Patients that are referred from other medical facilities or residential care facilities (nursing homes, etc.)
Medical devices: urinary catheters, indwelling intravascular catheters, intubation, cardiovascular implantable devices (pacemakers, etc.)
Nosocomial infection
Steroids, immunosuppressive therapy
History is significant for drug-resistant bacteria
Key Elements of Patient History Taking: Listen to the patient while taking into consideration the differential diagnoses (organ, organism).
Gather relevant information (relevant positive/negative findings)
Predict the results before they become available
Routine tests may mask relevant clues → is it necessary?
Epidemiologic information (endemic infections, sick contacts, overseas travel),
Lifestyle, activity, exposure (food, animal, insect, water contact/exposure)
Social History Place of birth
Education
Occupation
Alcohol, tobacco, illicit drug use
Patient’s daily activities
Socioeconomic status
Support from others (from whom and what)
Eating habits, hygiene, toileting Social welfare facilities (ex. nursing home)
Sick contact
Dental care
Health maintenance visits
Food (raw food, seafood, meat, dairy products)
Animal exposure
Previously treated for tuberculosis
A 21yo man with no significant past medical history complained of fever with chills that began 2 days ago. He returned from India 3 days ago where he spent 2 weeks there. He claimed to have swum in the Ganges River. He was not vaccinated prior to travel. Travel history to India
Exposure to the Ganges River
Unvaccinated Diagnosis: Typhoid fever
Refine the Symptom List, Develop the Assessment Fever for 2 days
travel history to India exposure to the Ganges
unvaccinated Sherlock Homes lay down and studied the ground with his magnifying glass. Just as the clues lead to solving the crime,
the chief complaints lead to the diagnosis.
History of Overseas Travel Locations visited (including stopovers)
The condition of the lodging (urban or rural)
Climate, season
Exposure to insects, spiders, ticks, reptiles, and mammals (bite, sting)
Exposure to animals (bite, lick)
Contact with people who are unwell Travel itinerary(departure and return dates) • Sexual activity without barrier protection Food and drink (location, preparation, etc.)
Vaccination prior to travel
Forms of travel (cruise ship, package tour, backpacking)
Injury, illness, treatment (referral letter?) https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home
Key Elements of Skin / Soft Tissue Infection Patient Hx Follow-up Organ Pathogen Epidermis
Dermis
Subcutaneous fat
Fascia
Others (hair follicle, follicular)
ABx ① Local pain, heat, swelling, redness
② Wrinkling ③ Itching
Streptococcus spp. α hemolytic
(incomplete hemolysis) β hemolytic
(complete hemolysis)
high virulence γ hemolytic(non- hemolysis)
(currently classified separately)
low virulence α-Streptococcus S.pneumoniae
α hemolytic, but exceptionally virulent pneumonia, sinusitis, otitis media, meningitis etc. Viridans streptococci ; S.anginosus group,S.mutans,
S.gallolyticus, S. sanguis, S. mitis etc.
Infective endocarditis, dental infections, brain abscess, β-Streptococcus
(Lancefield) A (GAS) C (GCS)
G (GGS) S.pyogenes pharynx B (GBS) S.agalactiae vagina S.dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis Enterococcus spp. Enterococcus faecalis
Enterococcus faecium
・Infective endocarditis
Enterococcus IE is treated wth 2 Abx over a longer period of time as it has a tendency to recur.
・Cholecystitis, cholangitis, peritonitis etc. →Even if it detected, it may not be a target for treatment pharingitis, tonsilitis, necrotizing fasciitis meningitis in newborns Cellulitis
Staphylococcus spp. Coagulase Staphylococcus aureus
positive Coagulase negative Staphylococcus lugdunensis Staphylococcus saprophyticus
Others MSSA MRSA Part of the human skin flora
Cellulitis, IE, osteomyelitis, discitis, arthritis, device infection etc. CNS, highly pathogenic (treat as S. aureus) cause of pyelonephritis in young women CA-MRSA is increasingly common highly pathogenic
Susceptible for ST, CLDM Anti-MRSA ABx
Key-Elements of Infectious Diseases Patient Hx Follow-up Organ Pathogen ABx Search for fever + “key” information:
① History taking
② Physical examination
③ Typical clinical course ① Gram stain
② Culture age, standard of living, lifestyle, underlying medical conditions, immunodeficiency, behavioral patterns, travel history, surgical history, medical devices, animal contact etc. ① Clinical course
② Focus on organ-specific symptoms
Caution!! body temperature , WBC count, and CRP can be misleading. From the patient hx:
Predict organ involvement and the possible causative organisms From the organism:
Predict the likely underlying disease / condition and organ involvement Abx Selection Principles
Efficacy
Narrow spectrum
Organ distribution
Adverse effect
Affordability (low price)
”The fever was not caused by an infection!!"Words of caution regarding fever: General characteristics of bacterial infections:
Acute febrile disease
Most patients present within 1-2 days of fever
With shaking chills (shivering)
Worsening condition
The course of infection is either Crescendo or Decrescendo
“Neither better nor worse” is not characteristic of a bacterial infection Difference between the left and right sides:
ex) Right CVA tenderness → Right pyelonephritis Do not overly rely on body temperature, WBC count, or CRP Point ① Do not overly rely on appearances Point ② Do not carelessly prescribe Abx Point ③ The case will become much more difficult to handle if there is a background of inappropriate Abx exposure.
Useful Tip: areas to reexamine after initial investigation
The patient may not have been previously examined in these areas: Head
Sinus
Oral mucosa
Gum
Ear Thorax
- Auscultation from the back Genital area
- epididymis
scrotum
perianal region Skin
- Observe every part of the skin (Did you see the buttocks too?)
Ecthyma gangrenosum Skin lesions on the buttocks.
The patient presented to the hospital with a chief complaint of fever.
As he was embarrassed about his illness, he did not show the painful lesion on his buttocks during his initial visit.
Later, it was found to be acute leukemia.
Ecthyma gangrenosum on the buttocks
Summary Always keep the differentials in mind when taking the patient history and performing the physical examination. It is crucial to anticipate the organs and pathogens that may be involved.
Refine the list of chief complaints and develop the initial assessment.
Further investigate the patient’s background (activity, occupation, contact & exposure) to determine the reason why the pathogen caused the infection.
Once the diagnosis is made, advise the patient on how to prevent reinfection.
Always consider the patient’s point of view.
It is vital to determine what the patient’s goals are for treatment and recovery.
It is of utmost importance to provide quality medical care to patients, their families, and society.
We hope you have a rewarding clinical experience, and don’t forget to have fun!