Question

INFECTIOUS DISEASE CASE STUDY 17- Gram - Coccobacilli Three-year-old Michael is brought to the emergency room of a large metropolitan hospital by his parents. What began about a week ago as a seemingly mild cold has turned into a severe cough. Michael has experienced several “fits” of coughing in the past 24 hours. Each seems to become more violent. During the latest, he seemed unable to get air and had begun to turn blue in the hands, feet, nose, and lips. Between coughs, he noisily gasps for air. After a quick examination, the doctor readily admits him in respiratory isolation. Laboratory Diagnosis A nasopharyngeal swab is obtained and quickly sent to the laboratory for culturing in Bordet-Gengou medium containing fresh blood. After five days of incubation, tiny glistening colonies with a pearl-luster appearance were visible. A narrow zone of hemolysis is present around the colonies. Immunofluorescent staining revealed tiny coccobacilli.

1. Which of these is the most likely cause of Michael’s symptoms? (1 point) - Diphtheria - Pertussis - Tuberculosis - Pneumocystis carnii

2. What is the name of the microorganism that causes this infection? Type answer as two words, using appropriate capitalization and separating each word with one space. (1 point)

3. What is the common name of this infection? Type answer as two words, separated by one space and using lowercase letters. (1 point)

4. Explain why this infection was given this common name. Type answer as 1 or 2 short sentences in your own words and using correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. Copied and pasted answers may receive 0 credit. (2 points)

5. Most cases of this infection occur in what population? (1 point) - Children under 5 and older adults - children 4 years of age and under - Immunocompromised individuals - teenagers to young adults

6. The route of transmission for this infection is primarily through _______________. - Feces - Respiratory droplets - Bodily fluids - Parenteral injection

7. During the catarrhal stage of this infection, which of the following symptoms occur? Mark all that apply. - Whoop sound upon inhalation - sneezing - Nasal drainage - nasal congestion - Hacking cough - occasional cough

8. During the paroxysmal stage of this infection, which of the following symptoms occur? Mark all that apply. - Whoop sound upon inhalation - sneezing - Nasal drainage - nasal congestion - Hacking cough - occasional cough

9. What standard “well baby” immunization procedure has Michael likely missed? Be specific please

10. Knowing the immunization for this infection was likely missed, for what other diseases is Michael at risk? Explain. Be specific.

11. What is the prescribed treatment for this infection?

Answer 1

ANSWER 1 :-

1. According to me, the option 'B' that is Pertussis or Whooping cough is the most appropriate answer. This condition occurs due to a coccobacilli called as Bordetella pertussis which is the causative agent. This is a respiratory condition and usually affects the lung portion and is characterized by cough fit which usually intensifies further and are usually associated with difficulties in breathing. One condition that is mentioned in the symptoms is the skin of hands, feet, etc turning blue. This condition is called as Cyanosis which is a condition during which there is relatively less oxygen transport to the associated portion turning it blue.
2. Diphtheria is a condition caused by the microbial agent which is a bacteria called as Corynebacterium sp. which is a condition characterized by symptoms including fever, cough although pauses during the normal breathing process which is characteristically mentioned in the data as difficulty breathing is not seen in this condition and hence option 'A' is not the appropriate answer.
3. Tuberculosis is a condition which is caused by bacteria called as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Pneumocystis carnii which is basically caused by a fungal agent do not show symptoms specifically showing involving intensifying breathing and hence option 'C' and 'D' are not the most appropriate answer.
4. The most appropriate answer is option 'B'.

ANSWER 2 :-

1. Whooping cough is caused by a coccobacilli called as Bordetella pertussis.

ANSWER 3 :-

1. The common name of Pertussis is called as Whooping cough.

ANSWER 4 :-

1. As stated above, the condition is called as Whooping cough because it is associated with coughing fits which are usually associated with difficulty in breathing associated with a loud noise indicative of breathing difficulty.

ANSWER 5 :-

1. According to me, option 'B' is the most appropriate option. The condition is not that severe in adults than can be seen in case of infants. Infants usually the childrens that are below 4 years are more susceptible to the condition and they need medical supervision.

ANSWER 6 :-

1. The condition is mainly associated with respiratory symptoms and hence only the nasal route can be considered for transmission of the condition.
2. The transmission is possible only through nasal excretions such as aerosols originating from the lungs and spreading during sneezing. So, option 'B' that is respiratory droplets is the most appropriate answer.

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