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What is a superinfection?

Updated: 4/28/2022
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An infection occurring during antimicrobic therapy that is caused by an overgrowth of drug-resistant microorganisms.

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Q: What is a superinfection?
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What is temperate phage superinfection immunity?

c. Repression of the phage genome - A phage coded protein, called a repressor, is made which binds to a particular site on the phage DNA, called the operator, and shuts off transcription of most phage genes EXCEPT the repressor gene. The result is a stable repressed phage genome which is integrated into the host chromosome. Each temperate phage will only repress its own DNA and not that from other phage, so that repression is very specific (immunity to superinfection with the same phage).Reference: http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mayer/phage.htm


What is the most common fungal infection?

Usually disease can be contracted through air or fluids. Through human to human it is more often airborne than fluid borne.


What are defense mechanisms of the host defense in animals?

Host defenses that protect against infection include natural barriers (eg, skin and mucous membranes), nonspecific immune responses (eg, phagocytic cells [neutrophils, macrophages] and their products), and specific immune responses (eg, antibodies, lymphocytes).Natural BarriersSkin: The skin usually bars invading microorganisms unless it is physically disrupted (eg, by injury, IV catheter, or surgical incision). Exceptions include human papillomavirus, which can invade normal skin, causing warts, and some parasites (eg, Schistosoma mansoni,Strongyloides stercoralis).Mucous membranes: Many mucous membranes are bathed in secretions that have antimicrobial properties (eg, cervical mucus, prostatic fluid, and tears containing lysozyme, which splits the muramic acid linkage in bacterial cell walls, especially in gram-positive organisms). Local secretions also contain immunoglobulins, principally IgG and secretory IgA, which prevent microorganisms from attaching to host cells.Respiratory tract: The respiratory tract has upper airway filters. If invading organisms reach the tracheobronchial tree, the mucociliary epithelium transports them away from the lung. Coughing also helps remove organisms. If the organisms reach the alveoli, alveolar macrophages and tissue histiocytes engulf them. However, these defenses can be overcome by large numbers of organisms or by compromised effectiveness resulting from air pollutants (eg, cigarette smoke) or interference with protective mechanisms (eg, endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy).GI tract: GI tract barriers include the acid pH of the stomach and the antibacterial activity of pancreatic enzymes, bile, and intestinal secretions. Peristalsis and the normal loss of epithelial cells remove microorganisms. If peristalsis is slowed (eg, because of drugs such as belladonna or opium alkaloids), this removal is delayed and prolongs some infections, such as symptomatic shigellosis. Compromised GI defense mechanisms may predispose patients to particular infections (eg, achlorhydria predisposes to salmonellosis). Normal bowel flora can inhibit pathogens; alteration of this flora with antibiotics can allow overgrowth of inherently pathogenic microorganisms (eg, Salmonella typhimurium) or superinfection with ordinarily commensal organisms (eg, Candida albicans).GU tract: GU tract barriers include the length of the urethra (20 cm) in men, the acid pH of the vagina in women, and the hypertonic state of the kidney medulla. The kidneys also produce and excrete large amounts of Tamm-Horsfall mucoprotein, which binds certain bacteria, facilitating their harmless excretion.Nonspecific Immune ResponsesCytokines (including IL-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor, interferon-γ) are produced principally by macrophages and activated lymphocytes and mediate an acute-phase response that develops regardless of the inciting microorganism (see also Biology of the Immune System: Cytokines). The response involves fever and increased production of neutrophils by the bone marrow. Endothelial cells also produce large amounts of IL-8, which attracts neutrophils.The inflammatory response directs immune system components to injury or infection sites and is manifested by increased blood supply and vascular permeability, which allows chemotactic peptides, neutrophils, and mononuclear cells to leave the intravascular compartment. Microbial spread is limited by engulfment of microorganisms by phagocytes (eg, neutrophils, macrophages). Phagocytes are drawn to microbes via chemotaxis and engulf them, releasing phagocytic lysosomal contents that help destroy microbes. Oxidative products such as hydrogen peroxide are generated by the phagocytes and kill ingested microbes. When quantitative or qualitative defects in neutrophils result in infection, the infection is usually prolonged and recurrent and responds slowly to antimicrobial drugs. Staphylococci, gram-negative organisms, and fungi are the pathogens usually responsible.Specific Immune ResponsesAfter infection, the host can produce a variety of antibodies, complex glycoproteins known as immunoglobulins that bind to specific microbial antigenic targets. Antibodies can help eradicate the infecting organism by attracting the host's WBCs and activating the complement system. The complement system (see Biology of the Immune System: Complement System) destroys cell walls, usually through the classic pathway. Complement can also be activated on the surface of some microorganisms via the alternative pathway. Antibodies can also promote the deposition of substances known as opsonins (eg, the complement protein C3b) on the surface of microorganisms, which helps promote phagocytosis. Opsonization is important for eradication of encapsulated organisms such as pneumococci and meningococci.


Related questions

What is an example of a superinfection?

antibioma


What is meant by the term superinfection?

Superinfection refers to a secondary infection that occurs in a person who is already infected with a primary infection, often caused by a different microorganism than the initial infection. This can happen when the normal or protective microflora in the body is disturbed, allowing the new infection to take hold. Treating a superinfection may require different medications than those used for the original infection.


What is concomitant immunity?

The presence of the parasite within the host confers a degree of protection against superinfection Outcome is chronic infection and density dependant disease


When a patient's immune system becomes over reactive to a drug this is an example of?

In medicine, superinfection is an infection following a previous infection, especially when caused by microorganisms that are resistant or have become resistant to the antibiotics used earlier.


What is temperate phage superinfection immunity?

c. Repression of the phage genome - A phage coded protein, called a repressor, is made which binds to a particular site on the phage DNA, called the operator, and shuts off transcription of most phage genes EXCEPT the repressor gene. The result is a stable repressed phage genome which is integrated into the host chromosome. Each temperate phage will only repress its own DNA and not that from other phage, so that repression is very specific (immunity to superinfection with the same phage).Reference: http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/mayer/phage.htm


How do you get rid of a 2 week sore throat?

It is presumed that you have received total course of penicillin V. You need to consult the ENT specialist for the same. You may have superinfection with candida albicans in your throat. You may be having allergy to some pollutants in the air.


What is the most common fungal infection?

Usually disease can be contracted through air or fluids. Through human to human it is more often airborne than fluid borne.


What is the superinfection which is caused by tetracycline?

First, semantics--neither Tetracycline nor any other antibiotic will cause a superinfection. However, tetracycline can cause something called "antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis" (aka C. dif colitis) which occurs when a bacteria called clostridium difficile (aka C. dif) which normally only exists in small amounts or not at all in the intestines of healthy individuals, proliferates to large numbers in the colon. This can happen when someone takes a widen spectrum antibiotic (like tetracycline) which can kill off many of the common kinds of bacteria that normally live in the colon. The absence of the common/healthy bacteria in the colon allows C. dif. to grow to large numbers in the colon and cause pseudomembranous colitis, which is called such because a look inside the colon (via colonoscopy) of someone with the disease reveals "psuedomembranes" or patches along the wall of the colon. Hope that helps, Diggidy Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudomembranous_colitis and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_difficile


What kind of infections do antibiotics fight?

Antibiotics fight bacterial infections, antibiotics do not fight all bacterial infections however, they generally fight one of two types of bacteria (gram negative and gram positive). Antibiotics have no effect on viral infections or parasites, but they are sometimes prescribed with a viral infection to prevent a bacterial superinfection - when you get a bacterial infection because your immune system was weakened by the viral infection first. Antibiotics have saved more lives than those lost in any war but overusing them or not finishing a course can lead to the evolution of resistant bacteria which can no longer be killed by antibiotics.


What information should parents know with children given antibiotics?

Parents should be aware of a few side effects that may occur. Diarrhea is expected. If your child experiences loose stools, do not be alarmed. You should rehydrate them with Pedialite, NOT sports drinks. If the diarrhea gets very watery, you can call your doctor. This may be a sign of what is called a superinfection. Tell your doctor if the child gets a rash, or if the symptoms do not go away. Most importantly, it is crucial to finish ALL DOSES of the antibiotic. If you are supposed to administer it for 10 days, do it for the full 10 days. After 3 days, your child might feel better, and all symptoms are gone. But you MUST finish it all! If you stop it early, you have effectively killed off all the weak bacteria, and only a few resilient ones remain. These will multiply quickly. If you don't kill them all off in one shot, the infection will come back and STRONGER this time!


What Side effects doxycyl?

Gastro-intestinal side-effects including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea are common, especially with high doses. Dry mouth, glossitis, discolouration of the tongue, stomatitis and dysphagia have been reported. Oesophageal ulceration has also been reported after ingestion of capsules with insufficient water, at bedtime. Enterocolitis have also been reported. Oral candidiasis, vaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginitis, and pruritis ani can occur due to overgrowth of Candida albicans. Oral candidiasis results in soreness, redness and thrush in the mouth, which may extend into the trachea and bronchi. There may also be an overgrowth of resistant coliform organisms, such as Pseudomonas spp. and Proteus spp., causing diarrhoea. More serious superinfection with resistant staphylococci causing enterocolitis, and also pseudomembranous colitis due to Clostridium difficile have been reported. Super-infection due to resistant staphylococci may cause fulminating enteritis. These complications are rare, except after abdominal surgery, especially gastrectomy. Usual therapeutic doses given to patients with renal disease increase the severity of ureamia with increased excretion of nitrogen and losses of sodium, accompanied by acidosis and hyperphosphataemia. These effects are related to the dose and severity of renal impairment and are due to the anti-anabolic effects of doxycyclines. Severe and sometimes fatal hepatotoxicity has been reported in patients with renal impairment and in those given high doses. Doxycycline are deposited in deciduous and permanent teeth, causing discolouration and enamel hypoplasia, although doxycycline causes less tooth discolouration than other tetracyclines. Milk teeth are affected if given to children 3 months to six years, and permanent teeth if given to children up to 12 years. An increase in intracranial pressure, which may be associated with a bulging fontanelle in infants, has been reported in patients given doxycycline. Vitamin deficiency may occur. Doxycycline has an anti-anabolic action which may cause a rise in blood urea. Allergic reactions to doxycycline has been reported, usually as skin reactions. Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions: urticaria, maculopapular & erythematous rashes, exfoliative dermatitis, exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus, pericarditis, Henoch-Schönlein purpura (anaphylactoid purpura), angioneurotic oedema, fixed drug eruptions, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug fever, angiodema, asthma, anaphylaxis. Blood abnormalities: haemolytic anaemia, eosinophilia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia may occur. In the elderly a negative nitrogen balance may be induced. • The use of expired doxycycline may lead to the Fanconi-type syndrome which is characterised by polyuria and polydipsia with nausea, vomiting, proteinuria, glucosuria, acidosis, amino-aciduria, hypophosphataemia and hypocalcaemia, hypokalaemia and hyperuricaemia. Cross-sensitisation between tetracyclines is common. Photosensitivity of the skin and nails has occurred, and onycholysis may be associated with nail discolouration. A Jarisch-Herxheimer-like reaction has been reported in patients with relapsing fever treated with doxycycline.


What is a 14 letter word ending with ion?

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