Infection: Staphylococcus Aureus Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Infection: Staphylococcus Aureus Deck (7)
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1
Q

What is the classification of staph aureus?

A

Gram positive cocci (appears under the microscope in clusters)

2
Q

What are some common infections caused by staph aureus?

A

Skin infections eg cellulitis, abscesses
Infections of the respiratory tract eg sinusitis, pneumonia
Food poisoning
Sepsis from bacteraemia due to surgery, catheters, IV lines etc

Common hospital acquired infection

3
Q

Where on the body is staph aureus normally found?

A

Staph aureus is a commensal on the skin, nose and the respiratory tract

4
Q

What is the coagulase test and how it is useful clinically?

A

Coagulase is an enzyme that converts fibrinogen in plasma to fibrin clots.
Only staph aureus is coagulase positive, all other staphylococcal species are coagulase negative

5
Q

What are some of the virulence factors of staph aureus?

A
  • produces coagulase enzyme which causes clotting of fibrin which coats the bacterial cell preventing phagocytosis
  • secretes exotoxins
6
Q

How are staph aureus infections investigated?

For each investigation what would you expect to see?

A

Gram staining:
Gram positive cocci in clusters

Coagulase test:
Only positive in staph aureus (negative in all other staph infections)

7
Q

How are staph aureus infections treated?

A

Flucloxacillin usually used

May be combined with co-amoxiclav for severe infections such as endocarditis.

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