Cellulitis

Question 1

What is cellulitis

Answer 1

An infection of the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue presenting with expanding erythema , warmth , tenderness and swelling.

Question 2

What two bacteria is likely to cause cellulitis?

Answer 2

Staphylococcus aures and streptococcus pyogenes

A gram positive bacteria

Question 3

Which antibiotic would you use to treat cellulitis? And why

Answer 3

Flucolaxacillin - 500mg QDS (4 times a day) and for 7 days.

This is effective against both staph aures and strep pyogenes.

Question 4

What class of antimicrobial is flucloxacillin?

Answer 4

Beta lactam

Question 5

What mechanism of action is flucloxacillin?

Answer 5

Cell wall synthesis inhibition

Question 6

Examples of virulence factors of staphylococcus aures

Answer 6

1. Secreted coagulate which is an enzyme that causes citrates plasma to clot. This restricts access by neutrophils.
2. Some bacteria that have a capsule.
3. Cell wall contains protein A which binds to Fc region of IgG - exerting an anti opsonins