atypicals

Cards (6)

  • medically important atypical microorganisms
    • Chlamydiaceae
    • Chlamydia trachomatis
    • Chlamydophila pneumoniae
    • Mycoplasma
    • Mycoplasma pneumoniae
    • Legionella pneumophila
  • chlamydia trachomatis
    • intracellular microorganism
    • causes chlamydia
    • most common STD in US
    • site of infection
    • urogenital (nongonococcal urethritis) --> in some cases can involve cervicitis, endometritis
    • transmission: sexual
    • most pts are asymptomatic
    • diagnosis: PCR in urine (usually in combination w/ gonorrhea)
  • chlamydophila pneumoniae
    • intracellular microorganism
    • causes respiratory infections (sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia) - usually either asymptomatic or mild resp symptoms
    • known as an atypical microogranism when talking about covering for respiratory pathogens (together w/ Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Liognella pneumophila)
    • diagnosis: PCR (resp sample)
  • mycoplasma pneumoniae
    • smallest free-living bacteria, pleomorphic
    • do not have a cell wall --> no gram-stain
    • diagnosis: PCR
    • M. pneumoniae
    • causes bronchitis and atypical pneumonia
  • legionella pneumophila
    • intracellular bacteria commonly found in water or moist environment
    • multiply in alveolar macrophages, monocytes, and alveolar epithelial cells in humans
    • transmission: inhalation of aerosols
    • contaminated water systems (hot tubs/spas, large plumbing systems, hot water tanks, etc.)
    • rising incidence but still relatively uncommon
  • legionella pneumophila (cont.)
    • causes a mild respiratory illness (Pontiac fever) or a more severe pneumonia (Legionnaire's disease)
    • severe disease usually in elderly, COPD, smokers, immunocompromised pts
    • diagnosis: urine antigen test --> detects Legionella serogroup 1 - specific LPS