Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteraemia

Question 1

What do staphylococci show on a gram stain?

Answer 1

Gram positive cocci that form grape like clusters on a gram stain

Question 2

When are colonisation rates of staph aureus high?

Answer 2

Amongst patients with insulin dependent diabetes, HIV infection, patients on haemodialysis, individuals with skin damage

Question 3

What is the most frequent site of colonisation?

Answer 3

Anterior nares

Question 4

What is the most commonly identified agent of skin and soft tissue infection?

Answer 4

Staph Aureus

Question 5

What are common presentations of localised pyogenic staphylococcal infection? (skin descriptions)

Answer 5

furuncles and carbuncles

Question 6

What is the rate of septic metastases in patients with S.Aureus bacteraemia ?

Answer 6

one third

Question 7

What are frequent sites of distant septic metastases?

Answer 7

Bones and joints (Especially when prosthetic materials are present)

Epidural space and intevertebral discs

Native and prosthetic cardiac valves and cardiac devices

Visceral abscesses in spleen, kidneys and lungs

Question 8

What investigations should be done if S.Aureus bacteraemia is suspected?

Answer 8

Microscopy and culture of specimens, blood cultures, biopsy of samples, x-ray, CRT, MRI, Radio-nucleotide imaging, transthoracic echocardiography, TOE

Question 9

What is the treatment for S. Aureus bacteraemia ?

Answer 9

Antibiotic therapy, source identification and clearance, appropriate surgical intervention

Question 10

What antibiotics can be used to treat S. Aureus ?

Answer 10

Flucloxacillin, Vancomycin, Teicoplanin, Linezolid, Daptomycin