Ch. 23 - Microbial Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems

Tortora - Microbiology: An Introduction 14th Edition

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Tortora 14th Edition

Ch. 23 - Microbial Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems

Problem 3

Chapter 23, Problem 3

Use the following choices to answer the question given below:
a. Ehrlichiosis
b. Lyme disease
c. Septic shock
d. Toxoplasmosis
e. Viral hemorrhagic fever
A patient complained of headache. A CT (computed tomography) scan revealed cysts of varying size in the patient’s brain. What is your diagnosis?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Identify the key clinical finding in the problem, which is the presence of cysts of varying size in the brain as revealed by a CT scan.

Step 2: Recall the diseases listed in the choices and consider which one is known to cause brain cysts. For example, toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that can form cysts in brain tissue, especially in immunocompromised patients.

Step 3: Review the other options and their typical clinical presentations: ehrlichiosis (a tick-borne bacterial infection), Lyme disease (a tick-borne bacterial infection causing rash and neurological symptoms), septic shock (a systemic inflammatory response to infection), and viral hemorrhagic fever (a severe viral illness causing bleeding). None of these typically cause brain cysts.

Step 4: Based on the clinical presentation and imaging findings, match the diagnosis to the disease known for brain cyst formation, which is toxoplasmosis.

Step 5: Conclude that the diagnosis is most consistent with toxoplasmosis, given the presence of brain cysts on CT scan.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It often forms cysts in tissues, including the brain, which can be detected by imaging techniques like CT scans. Symptoms may include headaches and neurological issues, especially in immunocompromised patients.

Brain Cysts and Imaging

Brain cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can result from infections, tumors, or other conditions. CT scans help visualize these cysts, showing their size and location, which aids in diagnosing infections like toxoplasmosis that produce characteristic cysts in the brain.

Differential Diagnosis of Neurological Symptoms

When a patient presents with neurological symptoms such as headache and brain cysts, it is important to differentiate between possible causes like infections (toxoplasmosis, ehrlichiosis), inflammatory conditions, or other diseases. Understanding the typical clinical and imaging features helps narrow down the diagnosis.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Use the following choices to answer the question given below:

a. Ehrlichiosis

b. Lyme disease

c. Septic shock

d. Toxoplasmosis

e. Viral hemorrhagic fever

A patient presents with mental confusion, rapid breathing and heart rate, and low blood pressure. What is your diagnosis?

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Textbook Question

Use the following choices to answer the question given below:

a. Ehrlichiosis

b. Lyme disease

c. Septic shock

d. Toxoplasmosis

e. Viral hemorrhagic fever

A patient was hospitalized because of continuing fever and progression of symptoms including headache, fatigue, and back pain. Tests for antibodies to B. burgdorferi were negative. What is your diagnosis?

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Textbook Question

Compare and contrast epidemic typhus, endemic murine typhus, and tickborne typhus.

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Textbook Question

Use the following choices to answer the question given below:

a. Ehrlichiosis

b. Lyme disease

c. Septic shock

d. Toxoplasmosis

e. Viral hemorrhagic fever

A patient presents with a history of fever and headache. Bacterial cultures of blood, CSF, and stool are negative. What is your diagnosis?