ABP Pediatric Infectious Diseases study guide
ABP Pediatric Infectious Diseases · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Pediatric Infectious Diseases certification is a subspecialty credential from the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) for physicians who meet the subspecialty admission requirements. This independent study resource is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the ABP; it is designed to help candidates organize preparation for the certifying examination. The ABP Pediatric Infectious Diseases study guide has 10 sections and about 2,633 words.
01Bacterial Infections and Mycobacterial Disease
Bacterial disease in children is mostly a question of age, anatomy, and host defense. Neonates: group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes.
282 words, about 1 min02Viral Infections
Viral syndromes are diagnosed mainly by nucleic acid amplification tests (PCR) of the relevant site: nasopharyngeal swab for respiratory viruses, CSF for enterovirus, parechovirus, and HSV, vesicle fluid for HSV and VZV, and blood or throat for EBV and CMV. Serology is best for immunity or retrospective diagnosis, not acute exclusion.
305 words, about 2 min03Fungal and Parasitic Infections
Fungal disease follows immune defect and iatrogenic risk: Candida in premature neonates and central-line carriers; Aspergillus in prolonged neutropenia and transplant recipients; Mucorales in diabetic ketoacidosis and iron overload; Pneumocystis jirovecii in T-cell deficiency and HIV with low CD4 counts; Cryptococcus in T-cell defects. Parasites to know: malaria (thick and thin smears, rapid antigen), Toxoplasma (ring-enhancing brain lesions), Giardia and Cryptosporidium (stool antigen or PCR), pinworm (cellophane tape test), scabies (clinical), and congenital Chagas disease.
258 words, about 1 min04Perinatal, Congenital, and Neonatal Infections
Perinatal infections are organized by timing. Early-onset neonatal sepsis (72 hours or less) reflects maternal genital flora: group B Streptococcus and Escherichia coli, with Listeria less common.
291 words, about 1 min05Immunizations and Vaccine-Preventable Disease
Vaccines are active (live attenuated or inactivated) or passive (immunoglobulin). Live vaccines - MMR, varicella, rotavirus, live attenuated influenza, yellow fever, oral typhoid - are contraindicated in severe immunocompromise and pregnancy.
245 words, about 1 min06Host Defense and Infections in the Immunocompromised Host
Host defense defects predict pathogens. Neutropenia: gram-negative rods, S.
230 words, about 1 min07Antimicrobial Agents, Pharmacology, and Stewardship
Antimicrobial pharmacology ties dose to killing pattern. Beta-lactams are time-dependent: keep free drug above the MIC.
240 words, about 1 min08Diagnostic Microbiology and Laboratory Testing
Diagnostic testing starts with specimen quality. Blood culture yield depends on volume, not just timing.
274 words, about 1 min09Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention
Healthcare epidemiology rests on standard precautions for every patient plus transmission-based precautions. Contact: MRSA, VRE, C.
222 words, about 1 min10Fever and Infectious Syndromes by Organ System
Fever syndromes are approached by age and focus. Infants younger than 3 months with fever of 38.0 degrees C or higher need a full sepsis evaluation and empiric antibiotics.
286 words, about 1 min