Staphylococci

Question 1

Describe staphylococci

Answer 1

Aerobes
Grow in high salt conc - skin , mucosal surfaces
Superficial or deep

Question 2

How can staph spread from a hair follicle into the body?

Answer 2

Ruptures and spreads

Question 3

What is coagulate? How does it help staph evade the immune system?

Answer 3

Blood/plasma clotting enzyme found in staph aureus

Staph attaches to blood clot to evade immune system

Question 4

Most types of staph are coagulase negative. Does this make it more or less virulent?

Answer 4

Less

Question 5

Give examples of diseases caused by staphylococci?

Answer 5

Bumblefoot
Greasy pig disease
mastitis/endometrium
Pneumonia/septicaemia
Food poisoning, TSS

Question 6

What are virulence factors found in staph?

Answer 6

Adherence proteins
Capsule prevents phagocytosis
Enzymes break down host connective tissue
Coagulase (aureus)

Question 7

How can staph cause subclinical diseases like subclinical mastitis?

Answer 7

Slime capsule- no immune effect

Question 8

What are 2 common resistant strains of staph? Which is most resistant

Answer 8

MRSA

MRSP (most)