Paper II — 2021 December (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) — Q6

Paper II

2021 December (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)

Question

Superinfection

Q63 marksShort Notes★✓

Answer

Superinfection is a new infection that develops during antimicrobial therapy for a primary infection, caused by an organism (usually resistant or opportunistic — bacterial or fungal) that has proliferated because the normal protective microbial flora has been suppressed by the broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Predisposing factors

• Broad-spectrum antibiotics (more likely than narrow-spectrum agents)
• Prolonged duration of therapy
• Immunocompromised states

Examples

• Pseudomembranous colitis (C. difficile overgrowth after broad-spectrum antibiotic use, especially clindamycin)
• Oral/vaginal candidiasis after broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy

Clinical significance

• Requires identification of the new organism and appropriate specific treatment (e.g., stopping the offending antibiotic, starting metronidazole/vancomycin for C. difficile)

Related Concepts

1. 1Antimicrobials General Considerations

Other Years Asked

1. 1(2023 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Short Essay · 8 marks
2. 2Read the clinical problem and answer the following questions: 40 years old man who was on metronidazole for amoebic dysentery went to a cocktail party where he consumed alcohol. After some time, he started developing symptoms like flushing, burning sensation, throbbing headache, dizziness, tightness in chest, vomiting.2014 March (2010 Scheme)Essay · 6 marks
3. 3Explain prophylactic use of antimicrobials giving suitable examples.2024 December (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Short Essay · 6 marks
4. 4Pharmacological basis for the use of Benzathine Penicillin in Rheumatic fever prophylaxis.2023 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Short Answer · 4 marks
5. 5Management of Hospital Acquired Infections.2023 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Short Answer · 4 marks
6. 6Metronidazole.2013 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
7. 7Antibiotic resistance2019 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
8. 8Metronidazole2013 April (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
9. 9Metronidazole2017 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
10. 10Burns infected with pseudomonas aeruginosa2015 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
11. 11Chemoprophylaxis of surgical site infection2013 April (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
12. 12Vancomycin2021 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
13. 13Specify the important spectrum of vancomycin2014 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
14. 14Prophylaxis of rheumatic fever2017 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
15. 15Mention four uses of metronidazole2016 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
16. 16Rationale of combining trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole2018 February (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
17. 17Urinary tract infections2014 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
18. 18What is post antibiotic effect and mention one example2016 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
19. 19Assertion (A): Ticarcillin is combined with Gentamicin for Pseudomonas infection, especially in neutropenic patients. Reason (R): Ticarcillin inhibits cell wall synthesis and Gentamicin inhibits protein synthesis and both of them are bactericidal.2024 December (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)MCQ · 1 mark
20. 20Prevention of AIDS in the new born2013 April (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
21. 21Pseudomembranous colitis.2013 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
22. 22Drugs for urinary tract infection2022 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.3 marks
23. 23Norfloxacin in urinary tract infection2021 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.3 marks