Streptococcal Pharyngitis
Strep throat is also known as streptococcal pharyngitis.It is an infection of the throat, pharynx, and tonsils caused by a bacteria called Group A streptococcus (GAS) or streptococcus pyogenes. It is commonly diagnosed with a rapid strep test or throat culture (Cohen, Bertille, Cohen,
& Chalumeau,2016). The rapid strep test is indicated when other differential diagnoses have been eliminated; If symptoms are unclear, a throat culture is more reliable due to the rapid strep test, also showing positive for carriers. The case study indicated a positive rapid strep test for the patient, in addition to presenting signs and symptoms hence the diagnosis of strep throat. Strep throat is highly contagious. The bacteria typically enter the body through the respiratory tract and mouth and spread through direct contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person’s cough, saliva, or sneezes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). It also spreads through
indirect contact by sharing of eating utensils like cup or spoons and touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth or nose. NURS 6501: Advanced Pathophysiology week 1 Discussion: Alterations in Cellular Processes
The Role of Genetics in Strep Throat
Strep throat is commonly seen in children between the ages of three and 15 (American Academy of Family physicians, 2016). The strep A bacteria is highly contagious, and because of its mode of spread, children are more susceptible, especially children in groups. However, some children may have recurring strep throat infections, which may be related to genetics that prevent or disrupt activation of the immune response that helps fight against infections (La Jolla Institute, 2019). Dan, Havenar-Daughton, and Crotty (2019), indicated that children with recurrent strep throat infection were found to have a family history of tonsillectomy, suggesting possible hereditary traits that predispose children to a recurrent strep throat infection.
In humans, when an infectious agent enters the respiratory tract, it is recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), after which a series of the immune response is activated. The innate and adaptive immunity may be activated in response to infection; if adaptive immunity is activated, a specific antibody is developed to fight against that specific infection. A study by La Jolla Institute, (2019), found a decreased level of the anti-streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (anti-SpeA) in some children. Anti-speA is an antibody specific to the streptococcal A bacteria’s antigen, thus indicating a genetic alteration in the development or activation
of the anti-SpeA, which could increase the susceptibility of some children to a recurrent strep throat infection.
PhysiologicalResponse to the Stimulus
The streptococcus A Beta hemolytic bacteria gains entrance into the body through the mouth or the upper respiratory tract and attaches to the upper resp system walls, releasing its toxins. The cell surface of the strep A bacteria contains the M-proteins and hyaluronidase, which promotes adhesion to epithelial cells, attack host cells, and also promotes the spread of the bacteria causing more toxins to be released (Todar, 2015). When these toxins are released, they activate the inflammatory response. Some of these toxins released also cause hemolysis and slow down the process of phagocytosis, thereby making the immune system work harder to fight the infection (Todar, 2015).
The incubation period for streptococcal pharyngitis is2-5 days after which more symptoms begin to manifest (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). The presence of phagocytic cells and the toxins in the blood intensify the inflammatory response; the toxins and inflammatory response trigger systemic symptoms such as fever, swelling, and redness of the tonsils and pharynx, production of exudates, palatal petechiae, anterior cervical lymphadenopathy, and sore throat similar to the symptoms of the patient in this case study. The inflammatory response occurred as a defense mechanism against microorganisms in the body. The inflammatory process is characterized by swelling, fever, pain, and redness, which may be local or systemic, depending on the severity of the response needed to fight against the infection (McCance, & Huether, 2019). In the case of strep throat, the symptoms could be mild, moderate or severe. Patients could also be asymptomatic. Some of the physiologic responses, as seen in this scenario, could also be a result of the toxins from the strep pyogenes for example, hyaluronidase released from the microorganism destroys hyaluronic acid causing local inflammation. NURS 6501: Advanced Pathophysiology week 1 Discussion: Alterations in Cellular Proces
Order this paper