Skin and Eye infectious diseases lecture

Melissa Back・2 minutes read

Skin and eye infectious diseases are discussed, focusing on the skin's role as the first line of defense against pathogens. Various skin infections like MRSA, measles, rubella, and eye infections like conjunctivitis are covered, along with their symptoms, complications, and treatment options.

Insights

  • The skin serves as a crucial barrier against infectious diseases due to the multiple layers in the epidermis, particularly keratinocytes producing protective keratin and antimicrobial proteins that discourage microbial growth, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy skin microbiome.
  • Various infectious diseases, such as MRSA, measles, rubella, and chickenpox, can lead to severe complications, highlighting the significance of preventive measures like immunization, early diagnosis through serology testing, and prompt treatment with antibiotics or vaccines to mitigate the risks associated with these conditions.

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Recent questions

  • What are the natural defenses of the skin?

    The skin's natural defenses include multiple layers in the epidermis, predominantly keratinocytes producing keratin for waterproofing and antimicrobial properties. The epidermis, with five layers, is completely replaced every 40 days, with keratin being a key protective protein. Antimicrobial proteins produced by normal skin microorganisms, sebum, salty sweat, and enzymes like lysosomes help maintain skin health by discouraging microbial growth.

  • How can MRSA infections be treated?

    Treatment for MRSA infections involves excising the area, draining pus, and using antibiotics, often a combination for resistant strains. MRSA infections can lead to pus-filled lesions, diagnosed through gram staining and culture, requiring careful handling to prevent transmission.

  • What are the complications of measles?

    Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, can lead to severe complications like pneumonia, bacterial infections, brain inflammation, coma, and even death. It is crucial to prevent measles through vaccination to avoid these serious consequences.

  • What is the cause of chickenpox?

    Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, presenting with a rash starting on the trunk, fever, and flu-like symptoms. Understanding the cause of chickenpox is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment of this common viral infection.

  • How can conjunctivitis be prevented?

    Conjunctivitis, commonly caused by allergies or viruses like adenoviruses, and less frequently by bacteria, can be prevented by practicing good hygiene habits. In cases of bacterial conjunctivitis, antibiotic drops are often prescribed to prevent further complications like corneal scarring and blindness.

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Summary

00:00

Skin and Eye Infectious Diseases Lecture Summary

  • Skin and eye infectious diseases are discussed in the lecture, focusing on the skin's role as the first line of defense against pathogenic microorganisms.
  • The skin's natural defenses include multiple layers in the epidermis, predominantly keratinocytes producing keratin for waterproofing and antimicrobial properties.
  • The epidermis, with five layers, is completely replaced every 40 days, with keratin being a key protective protein.
  • Antimicrobial proteins produced by normal skin microorganisms, sebum, salty sweat, and enzymes like lysosomes help maintain skin health by discouraging microbial growth.
  • Imbalance in the skin's microbiome can lead to opportunistic pathogens causing diseases, like MRSA, a common skin infection.
  • MRSA infections can lead to pus-filled lesions, diagnosed through gram staining and culture, requiring careful handling to prevent transmission.
  • Treatment for MRSA infections involves excising the area, draining pus, and using antibiotics, often a combination for resistant strains.
  • Maculopapular rashes, raised skin lesions, can be caused by diseases like measles, rubella, and fifth disease, each with distinct symptoms and complications.
  • Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, can lead to severe complications like pneumonia, bacterial infections, brain inflammation, coma, and even death.
  • Rubella, milder than measles but dangerous for pregnant women due to teratogenic effects on the fetus, can cause miscarriage, deafness, and other serious complications, emphasizing the importance of immunization for prevention.

19:01

Common Viral Skin Infections in Children

  • Fifth disease causes darkened cheeks with a rash, due to parvovirus B19, diagnosed through serology testing.
  • Roseola is a common virus in young children, causing a distinctive rash after a high fever that comes and goes.
  • Staph aureus can cause boils and lesions, with some infections being MRSA, requiring specific treatment.
  • Impetigo presents with crusty golden lesions, caused by staph aureus or streptococcus pyogenes, spreading rapidly.
  • Cellulitis is inflammation of soft tissues, spreading quickly and potentially leading to sepsis, often caused by streptococcus pyogenes or staph aureus.
  • Group B streptococcus can cause cellulitis in infants, but can be effectively treated with antibiotics.
  • Scalded skin syndrome, caused by staph aureus, presents with skin appearing scalded and affects newborns and babies.
  • Chickenpox, caused by varicella zoster virus, presents with a rash starting on the trunk, fever, and flu-like symptoms.
  • Smallpox, caused by variola virus, has a high mortality rate and was eradicated in 1977 after a global immunization campaign.
  • Shingles can occur in individuals who have had chickenpox, with the virus reactivating along sensory nerves, causing a painful trail of vesicles.

36:58

Preventing and Treating Nerve Pain and Infections

  • Post-herpetic neuralgia can develop after a shingles outbreak, causing continued nerve pain that can last for months or longer, potentially leading to blindness or paralysis depending on the nerve affected.
  • Some individuals with chronic nerve pain from post-herpetic neuralgia may need to take anti-seizure medication to alleviate symptoms.
  • Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, can be prevented with a vaccine, which is also available for those who had chickenpox and are at risk of developing shingles.
  • Smallpox, caused by the variola virus, was eradicated in the late 70s, with the last known human case in 1977, and had a high mortality rate, necessitating immediate quarantine and treatment.
  • Large pustular rashes, such as those from leishmaniasis caused by protozoa transmitted by sand flies, can be systemic and have a mortality rate, with prevention involving awareness in endemic regions.
  • Anthrax, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, can be cutaneous or systemic, with cutaneous anthrax having a lower mortality rate and typically treated with antibiotics.
  • Fungal skin infections, or mycosis, caused by dermatophytes, can include ringworm and require antifungal treatment, with systemic antifungals having a low therapeutic index.
  • Superficial mycosis, like tinea versicolor caused by yeast, can be treated with topical antifungals, often resulting from compromised skin conditions.
  • The eye has built-in defense mechanisms, including tears and antimicrobial enzymes, with conjunctivitis, commonly caused by allergies or viruses like adenoviruses, and less frequently by bacteria.
  • Serious causes of neonatal conjunctivitis include bacterial infections like Neisseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachomatis, as well as viral infections like herpes simplex virus types one and two.

55:35

Preventing Blindness: Neonatal Eye Infections & Treatment

  • In developed countries, newborns receive drops of erythromycin or other antimicrobials in each eye to prevent blindness caused by herpes simplex 1 and 2. If a mother shows signs of herpetic lesions, the neonate may be delivered via C-section to avoid transmission.
  • Bacterial conjunctivitis, characterized by cloudy, mucousy discharge and swelling, can lead to corneal scarring and blindness. In adults, common bacterial causes include Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and autoinoculation from genital regions.
  • Conjunctivitis treatment often involves antibiotic drops, even for viral cases, to prevent bacterial infections. Contact lens wearers are at risk of Acanthamoeba keratitis from tap water contamination, emphasizing the importance of rigorous hygiene practices.
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