Haemophilus influenzae — Flashcards

Flashcard 1: Which special culture media/agar is used to isolate Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Neisseria meningitidis?

Answer: Thayer-Martin (VPN) agar

Flashcard 2: What is the gram stain of Haemophilus influenzae?_____

Answer: Gram negative

Flashcard 3: Haemophilus influenzae is a common cause of _____ (CNS pathology)

Answer: meningitis

Flashcard 4: Neisseria meningitidis colonizes the _____ first

Answer: nasopharynx

Flashcard 5: Which gram-negative bacteria is associated with Otitis Externa (swimmer's ear)?_____

Answer: Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Flashcard 6: What are the common reservoirs and the vector for Yersinia pestis?

Answer: Reservoirs: Rats and prairie dogs; Vector: Fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis)

Extra: Yersinia pestis is a Gram-negative coccobacillus showing bipolar staining (safety-pin appearance). It causes the plague. \nReservoirs in the US: Prairie dogs. \nVector: Rat flea.

Flashcard 7: What disease is caused by Rickettsia typhi?

Answer: Endemic typhus (Murine typhus) :: vector?

Extra: Vector: Rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis)

Flashcard 8: Name the disease caused by Francisella tularensis.

Answer: Tularemia

Extra: Reservoir: Rabbits Vector: Ticks, deer flies Route: Dermally via bite or handling infected carcass; also inhalation (potential bioterrorism agent).

Flashcard 9: What disease is caused by Coxiella burnetii?

Answer: Q fever

Extra: Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium. Its primary reservoirs are cattle, sheep, and goats. It is transmitted via inhalation of contaminated aerosols from birthing products (amniotic fluid, placenta).

Flashcard 10: What disease is caused by Brucella spp. and what is its most common mode of transmission?

Answer: Brucellosis; Consumption of unpasteurized dairy products (e.g., goat milk, cheese)

Extra: Brucella is a Gram-negative aerobic coccobacillus. It is a facultative intracellular organism that survives in macrophages. Clinical features include undulant fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy.