Ch. 22 - Microbial Diseases of the Nervous System

Tortora - Microbiology: An Introduction 14th Edition

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Tortora 14th Edition

Ch. 22 - Microbial Diseases of the Nervous System

Problem 3

Chapter 22, Problem 3

A 12-year-old child hospitalized for Guillain-Barré syndrome had a 4-day history of headache, dizziness, fever, sore throat, and weakness of legs. Seizures began 2 weeks later. Bacterial cultures were negative. The child died 3 weeks after hospitalization. An autopsy revealed inclusions in brain cells that tested positive in an immunofluorescence test. This patient probably had
a. Rabies.
b. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
c. Botulism.
d. Tetanus.
e. Leprosy.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Analyze the clinical presentation and timeline. The child had symptoms including headache, dizziness, fever, sore throat, and leg weakness, followed by seizures two weeks later, and died three weeks after hospitalization. This suggests a progressive neurological disease.

Step 2: Note that bacterial cultures were negative, which helps exclude bacterial infections such as tetanus, botulism, and leprosy, which are caused by bacteria and often detectable by culture or clinical signs.

Step 3: Consider the autopsy findings: inclusions in brain cells that tested positive by immunofluorescence. This indicates the presence of viral antigens or proteins within neurons, which is characteristic of certain viral infections.

Step 4: Compare the options: rabies is a viral infection known for causing neuronal inclusions called Negri bodies, which are detectable by immunofluorescence. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a prion disease and does not show viral inclusions. Botulism and tetanus are caused by bacterial toxins, and leprosy affects peripheral nerves but not brain cells with inclusions.

Step 5: Conclude that the most likely diagnosis is rabies, based on the clinical course, negative bacterial cultures, presence of neuronal inclusions, and positive immunofluorescence test.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Its Clinical Context

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute autoimmune disorder causing rapid muscle weakness due to peripheral nerve inflammation. It often follows infections and can present with symptoms like weakness and sensory disturbances. Understanding GBS helps differentiate primary neurological autoimmune conditions from infectious causes of neurological symptoms.

Viral Encephalitis and Brain Cell Inclusions

Certain viral infections cause encephalitis characterized by brain cell inclusions visible on autopsy. Immunofluorescence tests detect viral antigens in these inclusions, aiding diagnosis. Recognizing the significance of viral inclusions helps identify infections like rabies, which produce characteristic Negri bodies in neurons.

Differential Diagnosis of Neurological Infectious Diseases

Neurological infections such as rabies, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, botulism, tetanus, and leprosy have distinct pathologies and clinical features. Rabies causes encephalitis with Negri bodies; Creutzfeldt-Jakob is a prion disease; botulism and tetanus are toxin-mediated; leprosy affects peripheral nerves. Differentiating these is key to accurate diagnosis.

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Textbook Question

After receiving a corneal transplant, a patient developed dementia and loss of motor function, then became comatose and died. Cultures were negative. Serological tests were negative. Autopsy revealed spongiform degeneration of brain tissue. The patient most likely had

a. Rabies.

b. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

c. Botulism.

d. Tetanus.

e. Leprosy.

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Textbook Question

What treatment is used against tetanus under the following conditions?

a. Before a person suffers a deep puncture wound

b. After a person suffers a deep puncture wound

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Textbook Question

Why is the following description used for wounds that are susceptible to C. tetani infection: “. . . Improperly cleaned deep puncture wounds . . . ones with little or no bleeding . . .”?

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Textbook Question

Provide the following information on poliomyelitis: etiology, method of transmission, symptoms, prevention. Why aren’t the Salk and Sabin vaccines considered treatments for poliomyelitis?

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Textbook Question

Which of the following does not have an animal reservoir or vector?

a. Listeriosis

b. Cryptococcosis

c. Amebic meningoencephalitis

d. Rabies

e. African trypanosomiasis

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Textbook Question

If C. tetani is relatively sensitive to penicillin, why doesn’t penicillin cure tetanus?

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