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Category: Clinical Microbiology; Best-Selling Textbook
Respiratory Tract Infections, Page 1 of 2
< Previous page | Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555816353/9781555812072_Chap02-1.gif /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555816353/9781555812072_Chap02-2.gifAbstract:
This section focuses on the two types of respiratory tract infections: upper and lower tract infections. The most common form of upper respiratory tract infection is pharyngitis. Pharyngitis is seen most frequently in children from 2 years of age through adolescence. The most common etiologic agents of pharyngitis are viruses, particularly adenoviruses, and group A streptococci. Pharyngitis due to group A streptococci predisposes individuals to the development of the poststreptococcal sequelae rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis. Otitis media is a common infectious problem in infants and young children. The most frequently encountered agents of this infection are the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. These along with adenoviruses, and Chlamydia trachomatis are the common etiologic agents of conjunctivitis. Viruses play an important role in upper respiratory tract infections. The common syndrome of cough and “runny” nose is usually due to rhinoviruses. More severe upper respiratory infections such as the “croup” are due to respiratory syncytial virus and influenza and parainfluenza viruses. When discussing lower respiratory tract infections, it is important to look at four different groups of patients: patients with community-acquired infections; patients with nosocomial infections; patients with underlying lung disease; and immunocompromised individuals, especially those with AIDS. Common agents of community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections include S. pneumoniae; Klebsiella pneumoniae, especially in alcoholics; Mycoplasma pneumoniae, especially in school-age students through young adulthood; Mycobacterium tuberculosis, especially in individuals born in countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis; respiratory syncytial virus in infants and young children: and influenza A virus.
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Influenza test: top well, influenza A;bottom well, influenza B.
Influenza test: top well, influenza A;bottom well, influenza B.
SELECTED RESPIRATORY TRACT PATHOGENS
SELECTED RESPIRATORY TRACT PATHOGENS