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Common Causes of Infectious Diseases
* = most common; please note this is not an exhaustive list
and does not include all possible etiologies for a particular disease.
Central Nervous
System Infections
Bacterial meningitis
Neonates
(less than 1 month old)
- Streptococcus agalactiae (Group b
streptococcus)
- Escherichia col
Children and adults
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Neisseria meningitidis
Elderly (>60 yrs old)
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Gram negative bacilli
Viral (aseptic) meningitis
and encephalitis (90% of cases in patients
under 30 years old)
- Enteroviruses (70%; late summer and early fall)
- Arboviral meningoencephalitis (summer via tick or
mosquito; West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, Western Equine
Encephalitis virus, St. Louis Encephalitis virus, California group
Encephalitis viruses, Powassan Encephalitis virus)- are the most common
cause of episodic encephalitis in the US.
- Mumps (late winter and early spring)
- Herpes simplex virus (sporadic)
- HIV (sporadic)
- Rabies virus (rare)
Granulomatous Meningitis
(Chronic meningitis)
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Cryptococcus neoformans
Spinal cord
- Clostridium tetanus*
- Polio virus
Skin (Integument) Infections
There are a huge number of infectious diseases of this the largest organ of the
human anatomy. Therefore, only the more common bacterial, viral and fungal
microbes are mentioned here.
Common Bacterial Infections.
- Staphylococcus aureus - impetigo, bullous
impetigo, scalded skin syndrome, folliculitis, furuncles, carbuncles,
cellulitis, myositis and toxic shock syndrome.
- Streptococcus pyogenes - impetigo, scarlet
fever, erysipelas, necrotizing fasciitis, and streptococcal toxic shock
syndrome.
- Propionibacterium acne - acne
Common Viral Infections.
- Herpes Simplex 1 and 2 viruses- oral and genital
herpes
- Papilloma viruses – warts, genital warts, cervical
dysplasia and cervical carcinoma
- Common childhood rashes (exanthems) are caused by
- Coxsackie viruses and Echoviruses (enteroviral
rashes),
- Erythrovirus B19 (formerly Parvovirus B19;
Erythema Infectiosum)
- Human Herpes virus 6B (Exanthem subitum or
Roseola)
- Human Herpes Virus-7 (Exanthem subitum or Roseola)
- Varicella-Zoster virus (Chickenpox)
- Measles virus (Rubeola)
- Rubella virus (Rubella).
Common Fungal Infections.
- Malassezia furfur- Tinea versicolor
- The dermatophytes (Microsporum, Trichophyton
and Epidermophyton) - Tinea pedis, Tinea corporis, Tinea capitis,
Tinea manus and Tinea cruris.
- Candida albicans - intertrigo, perlèche,
folliculitis, paronchyia and onychomycosis.
Ear Infections
Otitis Media
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- Haemophilus influenzae (nontypable)
Otitis externa
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa*
- Staphylococcus aureus
Eye and Eyelid Infections
Anterior
Blepharitis
-
Staphylococcus aureus
or Staphylococcus epidermidis
Hordeola (stye)
Periorbital (Preseptal)
Cellulitis
- Streptococcus
pneumoniae in young children
- Staphylococcus aureus
or Streptococcus pyogenes post-traumatic
Orbital (Postseptal) Cellulitis
- Staphylococcus aureus,
Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae,
Haemophilus influenzae and Enterobacteriaceae
Dacryocystitis
- Streptococcus
pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae,
Streptococcus pyogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Conjunctivitis
- Viral- Adenoviruses*, Herpes Simplex viruses’ types 1
and 2 (less common but more serious infection)
- Bacterial (pinkeye)- Staphylococcus aureus,
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria
meningitidis
- Chlamydial- Chlamydia trachomatis
Keratitis
- Bacteria*
- Gram positive bacteria (Streptococcus
pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes,
Streptococcus viridans, enterococci and Peptostreptococcus) are most
frequently obtained with the most common of them being Staphylococcus
aureus.
- Gram positive bacilli that cause keratitis include
Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Bacillus and Clostridium
- Gram negative bacilli that cause keratitis include
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae,
Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most destructive of the
bacterial causes of keratitis.
- Gram negative cocci or coccobacilli that cause
keratitis include Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis,
Moraxella, Pasteurella multocida and Acinetobacter.
- Ocular lymphogranuloma venereum is more
serious than simple chlamydial conjunctivitis because corneal scars,
conjunctival scars, and micropannus formation can occur (serotypes L1-L3
of Chlamydia trachomatis).
- Viruses
- Herpes Simplex 1 and 2*- most common of viruses
- Adenoviruses- epidemic keratoconjunctivitis
- Varicella Zoster virus
Respiratory Tract Infections
Acute
Rhinosinusitis
- Usually caused by various
respiratory viruses.
Acute Bacterial
Rhinosinusitis
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Haemophilus influenzae (nontypable)
Common cold (Rhinitis)
- Rhinoviruses*
- Coronaviruses
Pharyngitis
- Adenovirus
- Herpes Simplex virus
- Epstein Barr Virus
- Coxsackie viruses
- Remember Streptococcus pyogenes (group A
streptococcus is important because of the complications that can result
(rheumatic fever).
Viral Croup
- Parainfluenza virus
- Influenza virus
- Respiratory syncytial virus (most common cause of
bronchiolitis in children under 1 year of age).
Bacterial
tracheitis
Epiglottitis
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (very rare
now due to the Hib vaccine)
Bronchitis
- Respiratory viruses that infect the upper respiratory
tract: influenza viruses A and B, parainfluenza viruses,
adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, herpes
simplex virus, rhinovirus, coxsackievirus A and B, and echovirus.
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Chlamydophila pneumoniae (TWAR agent)- 5% of
cases
- Streptococcus pyogenes
Bronchiolitis
- Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV)
Pneumonia
Neonatal (0-1 month)
- Escherichia coli
- Streptococcus agalactiae (group B
streptococcus)
Infants (1-6 month)
- Chlamydia trachomatis (afebrile pneumonia with
staccato cough)
- RSV
Children (6month-5 year)
Children (5-15 year)
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Influenza virus type A
Young Adults (16-30 yr)
Older Adults
- Streptococcus pneumoniae*
- Haemophilus influenzae
Gastrointestinal
tract infections
Infections of
the Teeth
- Dental caries- Streptococcus mutans
- Gingivitis/periodontal disease- is a polymicrobial
process; Organisms commonly associated with these conditions: Eubacterium
sp., Micromonas (Peptostreptococcus) micros,
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Bacteroides
forsythus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Capnocytophaga
sp., Selenomonas sp., and spirochaetes.
Ludwig’s Angina
- Streptococcus, Bacteroides, Fusobacterium
and/or Staphylococcus aureus
Infections of
the Mouth and Tongue
- Herpes Simplex viruses 1 and 2 (gingivostomatitis
or cold sores)
- Candida albicans (oral candidiasis)
Angular Cheilitis
Parotitis
- Mumps virus- benign viral parotitis
- Staphylococcus aureus- acute bacterial
parotitis
Esophagitis-
usually only seen in immunocompromised patients
- Candida albicans*
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV),
Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)
Peptic Ulcer
Disease
Intestinal Infections-
Bacterial (can be inflammatory [blood
and mucus small volume; fecal wbc's present] or noninflammatory [large volume
watery stools; fecal wbc's NOT present]
Inflammatory ones
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Escherichia coli (EIEC)
- Escherichia coli (EHEC)
- Salmonella typhimurium
- Salmonella typhi (get also fever and headache;
sometimes no diarrhea)
- Shigella dysenteriae type 1 (lots of PMN's)
- Shigella sonnei/flexneri
- Yersinia enterocolitica
- Clostridium difficile (can be both inflammatory
and non-inflammatory)
Non-inflammatory ones
- Escherichia coli (EPEC)
- Escherichia coli (ETEC)
- Escherichia coli (EAEC)
- Vibrio cholerae
- Clostridium difficile (can be both inflammatory
and non-inflammatory)
Parasitic
infections of the intestine
- Giardia lamblia*
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Cryptosporidium parvum
- Enterobius vermicularis
- Taenia saginata
- Taenia solium
- Hymenolepis nana
- Ascaris lumbricoides
- Necator americanus
- Strongyloides stercoralis
Viral
Gastroenteritis
- Rotavirus (winter infant diarrhea- most common in
infants and children)
- Noroviruses* (winter vomiting disease- most common in
industrialized countries)
- Norwalk virus (summer diarrhea)
- Adenoviruses
- Astroviruses
Food poisoning-
intoxications
- Staphylococcus aureus*
- Bacillus cereus
- Clostridium perfringens
- Clostridium botulinum
Viral Hepatitis- Infections
of the Liver
- Hepatitis A virus*
- Hepatitis C virus
- Hepatitis B virus
Infections of the
Bones and Joints
Osteomyelitis
- Staphylococcus aureus*
- Streptococcus sp.
- Members of the Enterobacteriaceae
Septic arthritis
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae (most common in sexually
active young adults)
- Staphylococcus aureus*
Infections of the
Heart
Pericarditis
- Viral pericarditis*- Enteroviruses [Coxsackieviruses
(A and B) and Echovirus (type 8)]
- Purulent pericarditis- rare- Staphylococcus aureus,
Streptococcus pneumoniae and other streptococci
- Chronic pericarditis- rare- Mycobacterium
tuberculosis and various fungi (Candida sp.)
Myocarditis
- Enteroviruses (Coxsackievirus B is the most common)*
Endocarditis
·
Native
valve- Streptococcus sp. (60-80%, viridans streptococci (30-40%),
Streptococcus bovis (10%), Enterococci (S. faecalis and S.
faecium; 5-18%) and Staphylococci (20-35%, usually Staphylococcus
aureus)
·
Intravenous
drug users- Staphylococcus aureus (50%) and gram-negative bacilli
(15%; Pseudomonas aeruginosa is most the common gram-negative).
·
Prosthetic
valve infections
- Early (within 2 months of surgery) -
Staphylococcus (50%; coagulase positive and coagulase negative),
gram-negative aerobic bacilli (20%) and fungi (5%).
- Late (more than 2 months post surgery) -
viridans Streptococcus sp. (35%), coagulase negative
staphylococci (20%), and Staphylococcus aureus (10%).
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Hematopoietic/Lymphoreticular Infections
Infections of the Lymphocytes
-
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS)-
T-lymphocytes
-
Infectious Mononucleosis- B-lymphocytes
-
Cytomegalovirus Infections- T-lymphocytes and macrophages
Infections of the Phagocytic
Cells
-
Cat-scratch disease – Bartonella henselae
-
Tularemia – Francisella tularensis
-
Ehrlichiosis/Anaplasmosis - Ehrlichia chaffeensis,
Ehrlichia ewingii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum
-
Q fever- Coxiella burnetii
-
Brucellosis- Brucella sp. Plague- Yersinia
pestis
Infection of the Erythrocytes
-
Babesia- Babesia microti
-
Malaria- Plasmodium sp.
Infection of the Endothelial
Cells
-
Bacillary Angiomatosis/Hepatica peliosis- Bartonella
henselae or Bartonella quintana
-
Endemic relapsing fever- Borrelia sp. (15 different
species; B. hermsii, B. parkeri)
-
Epidemic Hemorrhagic fever- Sin Nombre virus (Hantavirus-
hantavirus pulmonary syndrome)
-
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever- Rickettsia rickettsii
Bacterial Sepsis
Neonates
- E.coli*
- Streptococcus agalactiae (group b strep.)
Adults (Systemic
Inflammatory Response Syndrome, Sepsis, Septic Shock)
- Most are due to bacterial infections. 50% due to Gram
negative bacteria; 50% due to Gram positive bacteria. It depends on the
location of the site of the initial infection. Most common sites of
infection leading to sepsis are lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract (ex.
urinary tract think Escherichia coli; community acquired pneumonia
think Streptococcus pneumoniae).
Infections of the
Genitourinary Tract
Cystitis and Pyelonephritis
Acute bacterial Prostatitis
Vaginitis
- Bacterial Vaginosis* (BV) due to Gardnerella
vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis and various anaerobic bacteria
including Mobiluncus sp., and Prevotella sp.
- Candida albicans
- Trichomonas vaginalis
Sexually Transmitted
Infections (STI’s) of the Genitourinary Tract
Genital Ulcerative Diseases
-
Genital Herpes- HSV-2* (80%),
-
HSV-1 (20%)
Syphilis- Treponema pallidum
-
Chancroid- Haemophilus ducreyi
-
Granuloma Inguinale- Klebsiella granulomatis (formerly
Calymmatobacterium granulomatis)
-
Lymphogranuloma Venereum- Chlamydia trachomatis
Urethritis
- Chlamydia trachomatis*
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Cervicitis
- Chlamydia trachomatis*
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Other STI’s
Acute Pelvic Inflammatory
Disease
- Chlamydia trachomatis*
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Genital Warts
- Human Papilloma virus (HPV types 6 and 11 most common
for wart-like lesions; HPV types 16 and 18 most common for with cervical
dysplasia and carcinoma.)
Epididymitis
- Sexually active
men aged <35 years- Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria
gonorrhoeae
- Men >35 years of
age- gram-negative enteric bacteria
Ectoparasitic
Infections
Scabies
- Sarcoptes
scabiei var
hominis
Pediculosis
- Pediculus humanus capitis
(head louse)
- Pediculus humanus corporis
(body louse)
- Pthirus pubis (pubic louse)
* = Most common; please note this is not an exhaustive
list and does not include all possible etiologies for a particular disease.
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Revised 12/6/06