Textbook Question
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Show the location of the following diseases: common cold, COVID-19, diphtheria, coccidioidomycosis, influenza, pneumonia, scarlet fever, tuberculosis, and whooping cough.
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Ch. 24 - Microbial Diseases of the Respiratory System
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - The Microbial World and You18
- Ch. 2 - Chemical Principles20
- Ch. 3 - Observing Microorganisms Through a Microscope18
- Ch. 4 - Functional Anatomy of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells21
- Ch. 5 - Microbial Metabolism20
- Ch. 6 - Microbial Growth20
- Ch. 7 - The Control of Microbial Growth20
- Ch. 8 - Microbial Genetics19
- Ch. 9 - Biotechnology & DNA Technology20
- Ch. 10 - Classification of Microorganisms15
- Ch. 11 - The Prokaryotes: Domains Bacteria and Archaea14
- Ch. 12 - The Eukaryotes: Fungi, Algae, Protozoa, and Helminths17
- Ch. 13 - Viruses, Viroids, and Prions20
- Ch. 14 - Principles of Disease and Epidemiology21
- Ch. 15 - Microbial Mechanisms of Pathogenicity19
- Ch. 16 - Innate Immunity: Nonspecific Defenses of the Host20
- Ch. 17 - Adaptive Immunity: Specific Defenses of the Host20
- Ch. 18 - Practical Applications of Immunology20
- Ch. 19 - Disorders Associated with the Immune System19
- Ch. 20 - Antimicrobial Drugs19
- Ch. 21 - Microbial Diseases of the Skin and Eyes21
- Ch. 22 - Microbial Diseases of the Nervous System19
- Ch. 23 - Microbial Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems20
- Ch. 24 - Microbial Diseases of the Respiratory System20
- Ch. 25 - Microbial Diseases of the Digestive System20
- Ch. 26 - Microbial Diseases of the Urinary and Reproductive Systems19
- Ch. 27 - Environmental Microbiology20
- Ch. 28 - Applied and Industrial Microbiology19
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 24, Problem 1
A patient has fever, difficulty breathing, chest pains, fluid in the pulmonary alveoli, and a positive tuberculin skin test. Gram-positive cocci are isolated from the sputum. The recommended treatment is
a. A macrolide.
b. Antitoxin.
c. Isoniazid.
d. Tetracyclines.
e. None of the above.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the clinical symptoms and signs described: fever, difficulty breathing, chest pains, fluid in the pulmonary alveoli, and a positive tuberculin skin test. These suggest a respiratory infection with possible tuberculosis exposure.
Step 2: Note that Gram-positive cocci were isolated from the sputum. Gram-positive cocci typically include bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Staphylococcus aureus, which are common causes of bacterial pneumonia.
Step 3: Understand that a positive tuberculin skin test indicates prior exposure or latent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but the isolated organism causing the current infection is a Gram-positive coccus, not an acid-fast bacillus like Mycobacterium.
Step 4: Review the treatment options: isoniazid (choice c) is specific for tuberculosis (acid-fast bacilli), while macrolides (choice a) and tetracyclines (choice d) are antibiotics effective against certain Gram-positive cocci. Antitoxin (choice b) is used for toxin-mediated diseases like diphtheria, not typical pneumonia.
Step 5: Conclude that since the isolated pathogen is a Gram-positive coccus causing pneumonia symptoms, the recommended treatment would be an antibiotic effective against such bacteria, such as a macrolide, rather than antitoxin or isoniazid.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Tuberculin Skin Test and Tuberculosis
The tuberculin skin test detects immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, indicating latent or active tuberculosis infection. A positive test suggests exposure but does not confirm active disease. Tuberculosis typically requires specific antibiotic treatment, such as isoniazid.
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The Ames Test
Gram-Positive Cocci and Common Pathogens
Gram-positive cocci are spherical bacteria that stain purple in Gram staining. Common pathogens include Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, often causing pneumonia and chest infections. Identifying the bacterial type guides appropriate antibiotic therapy.
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Antibiotic Selection Based on Pathogen and Clinical Presentation
Effective treatment depends on matching antibiotics to the causative organism and disease. Macrolides and tetracyclines target certain bacteria, while isoniazid specifically treats tuberculosis. Antitoxins neutralize toxins but do not kill bacteria, so choosing the right drug is critical.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
The 19 in COVID-19 signifies that
a. this is the 19th coronavirus epidemic.
b. this is 19th known coronavirus.
c. there are 19 strains of Betacoronavirus.
d. the virus was identified in 2019.
e. the symptoms last for 19 days.
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Textbook Question
Compare and contrast mycoplasmal pneumonia and viral pneumonia.
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Textbook Question
List the causative agent, signs and symptoms, and treatment for four viral diseases of the respiratory system. Separate the diseases according to whether they infect the upper or lower respiratory system.
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