Question

 

Microbiology

Causative Organism(s):_________________

Modes of Transmission:_________________

____________________________________

Prevention:___________________________

Virulence Factor:

Mechanism of Virulence Factor:

Treatment

Drug Name:__________________________

Class of Drug:________________________

____________________________________

Type of Admission:____________________

Potential Side Effects of Drug Treatment:

Mechanism of Treatment:

Lab Work

Type of Sample Received:_______________

____________________________________

Test(s) To Determine Causative Organism:

Positive Results of Test(s):

Answer 1

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints.

Causative Organism(s): Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus anginosus and Streptococcus agalactiae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Modes of Transmission: The spread of rheumatoid arthritis between joints is at least partially due to the migration of affected synovial fibroblasts through the bloodstream.

Prevention: There is no known way to prevent rheumatoid arthritis, although progression of the disease usually can be stopped or slowed by early, aggressive treatment.
Some risk factors for RA can’t be changed. These include the following: Stop smoking, Lose of extra weight, Limit exposure to environmental pollutants

Virulence Factor:
certain adhesins display important virulence-related properties. These adhesins are tightly regulated by genetic regulatory elements and by sortase. Both types of regulation have obvious consequences for the outcome of S. aureus arthritis.

Other constituents of the bacterial cell wall, which include the polysaccharide microcapsule and peptidoglycan are also potent regulators of virulence.

Mechanism of Virulence Factor:

staphylococcal peptidoglycans are potently in£ammatogenic: a single intra-articular injection triggered severe and long-lasting arthritis with occasional signs of cartilage and bone destruction. Molecules secreted in vivo by staphylococci may by themselves or in concert with other factors lead to severe joint damage and increase the risk of infectionrelated mortality. Antimicrobial host defense peptides, such as defensins, protegrins, and platelet microbicidal proteins are deployed by the host in response to S. aureus infection. In turn, the staphylococci develop resistance mechanisms which are either highly speci¢c for certain host defense peptides or which broadly protect against a range of cationic antimicrobial peptides.

Treatment

Drug Name: Ibuprofen

Class of Drug: Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents (NSAIDs)

Type of Admission: Inpatient medicine or surgical rheumatology ward.

Potential Side Effects of Drug Treatment: It is impossible to list all of the side effects of arthritis medications because different drugs cause different side effects and different people react differently to medications. However, some of the more common side effects of the different categories of medications used to treat arthritis are:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Edema (swelling of the feet) heartburn, stomach upset and stomach ulcers and possibly increased risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke.

Cortiocosteroids. Cataracts, elevated blood fats and blood sugar levels, increased appetite and bone loss.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Stomach upset and increased susceptibility to infection. Other side effects vary by drug.

Biologic agents. Injection site reactions, including redness and swelling; infusion reactions (difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, rapid or weak pulse) and increased risk of serious infections. Other side effects vary by drug.

Mechanism of Treatment:

The goal of rheumatoid arthritis treatment now aims toward achieving the lowest possible level of arthritis disease activity and remission if possible, minimizing joint damage, and enhancing physical function and quality of life. The optimal treatment of RA requires a comprehensive program that combines medical, social, and emotional support for the patient. It is essential that the patient and the patient’s family be educated about the nature and course of the disease. Treatment options include medications, reduction of joint stress, physical and occupational therapy, and surgical intervention.

Lab Work

Type of Sample Received: Blood

Test(s) To Determine Causative Organism:

The blood tests will measure inflammation levels and look for biomarkers such as antibodies (blood proteins) linked with RA and imaging tests such as An X-ray, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging scan may be done to look for joint damage, such as erosions – a loss of bone within the joint – and narrowing of joint space.

Positive Results of Test(s): A positive test means that Rheumatic Factor is present in your bloodand the titer level of the Rheumatic Factor typically indicates the severity of the disease.