Microbiology Case Study

You are working as an emergency clinic nurse in Topeka when a mom generates her 8 years of age boy since of serious, bloody diarrhea. When questioned, the boy said that it hurts when he goes to the bathroom and his mom said he had actually thrown up in the previous two days. When inquired about their previous movements, the mother and child both pointed out a backyard barbeque that had occurred 6 days previously. The young boy grumbled that his mom made him consume a "pink" hamburger that was not thoroughly prepared.

A health examination of the kid revealed absolutely nothing uncommon except dehydration from the diarrhea. Lab tests revealed that he had 13,000 white blood cells/microliter of blood, and a methylene blue stain of his feces revealed plentiful neutrophils. His stool specimen was plated on MacConkey agar and several colonies on the plate turned intense pink after 24 hr. Based upon symptoms and the lab results, he was treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxadole and intravenous fluid therapy.

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He improved rapidly and was released after 24 hours.

1. What microorganism is the most likely cause of the infection? Describe the ideas you used to figure this out. (3 pts)The microorganism probably triggering this infection is the parasite E. Coli. The raw hamburger can include the E. Coli bacteria that originates from cows intestinal tracts. We currently have E. Coli present in our intestines however big quantities of the bacteria can be toxic. According to the Mayo Clinic personnel, signs of large quantities of E. Coli in the intestinal tracts consist of bloody diarrhea, stomach cramping, pain, or tenderness, and nausea and throwing up.

The 8 years of age little young boy showed all of these symptoms.

Sources:-Golder, Kim. Nurse Professional. Personal Interview. November 6, 2012.- "E. Coli." Mayo Center. July 28, 2011. November 6, 2012.

2. Identify and describe one of the important virulence factors produced by the causative agent. (Hint: there is more than one right answer here!) How does this virulence factor contribute to the ability of the organism to cause disease? (3 pts)One important virulence factor produced by E. Coli is toxins. Toxins are proteins secreted by the bacteria that are poisonous to the host. In this case the toxins that are produced by E. Coli, damage the lining of the small intestine and that is what causes the bloody diarrhea. Sources:

-Leboffie, Michael J. Microbiology. Burton E. Pierce. Morton. Englewood, Co. 2012

3. Based on what you know about the selective and differential capabilities of MacConkey agar, would it be possible to obtain similar results from a stool sample of a health patient? Why or why not? (3 pts)The MacConkey agar is capable of growing E. Coli because it inhibits the growth of Gram-positive bacteria and E. Coli is a gram-negative bacteria. If we took a stool sample from a healthy patient the selective media would be similar because E. Coli always grows on a MacConkey agar and E. Coli is always present in the human intestines. However the differential media would not be similar because of the amounts of E. Coli in the intestines and also whether it is infectious or not. Different kinds of E. Coli have the ability or inability to ferment lactose which changes the colors of the dyes after the incubation period.

Sources:
-Leboffie, Michael J. Microbiology. Burton E. Pierce. Morton. Englewood, Co. 2012

4. How is this organism spread? How can infection be prevented? (3 pts)

According to the Mayo Clinic Staff, E.Coli is most easily spread through the consumption of food.In this case, the ground beef that the little boy consumed was contaminated with E. Coli. When cattle is slaughtered and processed some of the E. Coli from their intestines can contaminate the meat. Other food that can be contaminated with E. Coli is unpasteurized milk, fruits and other produce, and restaurant meals when servers and cooks do not wash their hands thoroughly after using the restroom. Sources:- “E. Coli.” Mayo Clinic. July 28, 2011. November 6, 2012.

5. Was antibiotic therapy an appropriate choice for this patient? Why or why not?
(3 pts)

Antibiotic therapy probably wasn’t the best choice for the little boy. When discussing the case with nurse practitioner, Kim Golder, she suggested that the best treatment for an E. Coli infection is to drink plenty of fluids so the patient doesn’t get dehydrated. She also suggested to get lots of bed rest and wait for the infection to subside.