Orbital eye infections
Learning goals Describe the clinical presentation and microbiology of common etiologies for blepharitis, hordeolum, conjunctivitis, and keratitis Describe the clinical findings and microbiologic origins of chorioretinitis and use clinical history and examination findings to differentiate microbiologic causes Compare and contrast periorbital and orbital cellulitis, including anatomic location, etiology, and potential complications Required pre-class materials Click […]
Meningitis and encephalitis
Learning goals Describe the epidemiology and risk factors for meningitis and list the primary pathogens that lead to meningitis, based on age groups Compare and contrast the clinical manifestations of encephalitis, acute bacterial meningitis, aseptic meningitis, and chronic meningitis and use cerebrospinal fluid findings to differentiate various microbial etiologies Describe the microbiologic features (classification, structures, […]
Host-pathogen interactions
High-yield summary Core concept Host-pathogen interactions determine infection outcomes: clearance, persistence, latency, or disease. Immune responses are tailored to pathogen type Pathogens evolve mechanisms to evade immunity.  Extracellular bacteria Innate Response Complement activation (Alternative and lectin pathways) Phagocytosis via PRRs, Fc receptors, complement receptors Inflammatory cytokines: IL-1, TNF, IL-6 Adaptive Response Antibodies: Opsonization, toxin neutralization CD4+ […]
Parasitology 3: Tissue-invasive parasites
Learning goals Contrast the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis Contrast the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with HIV/AIDS, neonates, and immunocompetent hosts Contrast the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis of diseases caused by Trichinella, Toxocara (visceral larva migrans), Taenia solium (cysticercosis), […]
Herpes virus
High-yield summary   Overview of Herpesviruses (HHV 1–8) Virus Common Name Latency Site Key Diseases HHV-1 HSV-1 Trigeminal ganglia Oral herpes, encephalitis HHV-2 HSV-2 Sacral ganglia Genital herpes, neonatal HSV HHV-3 VZV Dorsal root ganglia Chickenpox, shingles HHV-4 EBV B cells Mono, Burkitt lymphoma, NPC HHV-5 CMV Monocytes Mono-like illness, congenital CMV HHV-6/7 Roseolovirus T […]
Hepatitis
Learning goals Differentiate the viral structure, mode of transmission, epidemiology, and risk of chronic infection for viral hepatitis caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D and E Use clinical presentation and laboratory testing, including serology and molecular testing (PCR), to distinguish acute infection, chronic infection, resolved infection, and post-vaccination for hepatitis A, B, and C […]
Introduction to viruses
High-yield summary Viral structure and classification All viruses contain genetic material (DNA or RNA, never both) and a protein capsid. Some viruses have an envelope derived from the host cell membrane. Classification by genetic material: DNA viruses (e.g., Herpesviridae, Adenoviridae) and RNA viruses (e.g., Orthomyxoviridae, Retroviridae). Baltimore Classification groups viruses based on their replication strategy […]
Parasitology 2: GI helminths
Learning goals Compare and contrast the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of common intestinal roundworms and tapeworms including Enterobius, Ascaris, Ancylostoma (hookworm), Strongyloides, Taenia solium, Echinococcus, and Diphyllobothrium Describe the pathogenesis and type of anemia related to heavy hookworm infections Describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical features of Strongyloides hyperinfection Compare and contrast […]
Introduction to vaccines
High-yield summary Types of vaccines Live Attenuated: Replicates, broad immune response, contraindicated in immunocompromised and pregnancy Inactivated: No replication, safer for immunocompromised and pregnancy Polysaccharide and Conjugate: Capsule-targeted, age-dependent response, T-cell independent/dependent Protein Subunit: Toxoids, VLPs, recombinant proteins Viral Vector: Recombinant expression in vivo, adenovirus/VSV Nucleic Acid: mRNA/DNA vaccines, e.g., COVID-19 vaccines  Immunology and […]
Other therapies
Albendazole (Albenza) Class(es) Anthelmintic Clinical use(s) FDA approved: echinococcosis, neurocysticercosis. Off-label/clinical use: Ascariasis, capillaria, clonorchiasis, giardiasis, microsporidia (HIV), hymenolepis nana infection, loa loa, trichuriasis. Mechanism(s) of action Causes parasitic death by binding to colchicine-sensitive site of beta tubulin inhibiting their polymerization into microtubules. Key adverse effects Abdominal pain, headache, abnormal liver function tests, N/V, SJS. […]