Skin infections Flashcards
(41 cards)
Where is Staphylococcus aureus often found?
As a skin commensal In skin infections
What are the the toxins sometimes produced by Staphylococcus aureus?
- Panton Valentine Leuocidin (PVL)
- Exfoliative toxin
- TSST-1 (Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1)
- Enterotoxin
What happens in Staphylococcus aureus infections producing PVL?
Necrotising damage Much more serious infection
What is exfoliative toxin?
- Produced in some Staphylococcus aureus infections
- Targets the same antigens as in pempigus vulgaris (desmoglein 1 & 3)
What kind of infections does staphylococcus aureus cause?
Skin Bone Joint Lung
What are the different skin infections of staphylococcus aureus?
- Impetigo - subcorneal layer of epidermis
- Folliculitis - mouth of the hair follicle
- Ecthyma - full thickness of the epidermis and possibly the superficial dermis
- Boil - abscess (pus filled inflammed area) of hair follicle
- Carbuncle - Abscess of several adjacent hair follicles
What is very characteristic of Staphylococcus aureus skin infection?
Gold coloured crust
What does exfoliative toxin producing Staphylococcus aureus infections cause in adults?
Bullous impetigo
Cleavage of the skin in the epidermis above the BM
When does ecthyma often develop?
After insect bites
How is an abscess treated?
Incision and drainage of the abscess to let the puss out
What does exfoliative toxin producing Staphylococcus aureus infections cause in children?
- Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
- Only affects children under 5
- Widespread erythema and exfoliation (to come off in scales/flakes)
What is the treatment for Staphylococcus aureus infection?
- Flucloxacillin
- If MRSA - erythromycin or clarithromycin
What causes syphillis?
Treponema pallidum
A gram neagtive spirochaete
What increases your chance of getting syphilis?
It’s an STD so sexual contact
Having other STDs esp HIV
What are the stages of acquired Syphilis?
- Primary (3-8 weeks)
- Painless ulcer (chancre) at inoculation site
- Heals up and disappears quickly
- Secondary (6-12 weeks)
- Disseminated to lymph nodes - lymphadenopathy
- Generalised rash all over the body including palms and soles
- Septicemia like symptoms
- Axillary and groin warty lesions (condyloma lata - not actual warts)
- Latent
- Tertiary syphilis (years later)
* Skin, neurological, bone and vascular (aortic aneurysms) manifestations
What does congenital syphilis cause?
- Early and late miscarriages
- Still births
- Pre-maturity
- Rashes
- Brain and neurological problems
- Bone disease
How is syphillis treated?
Screened before birth
Penicillin treatment very effective
What are the diseases caused by human herpes viruses 1-3 (HVVs)?
- HVV1 -> HSV 1 -> Oro-genital herpes
- HVV2 -> HSV 2 -> Oro-gential herpes
- HVV3 -> varicella zoster (VZV) -> Chickenpox and shingles
What can re-activate latent HSV?
- Stress
- Poor sleep
- Other illnesses
- Sun exposure
What are the target cells and latency site for HVV 1-3?
- Target cell - Muco-epithelial cells
- Latency cells - neurones (dorsal root ganglion)
What are the clinical presentations of HSV?
- Vesicular rash - 2 weeks
- Pain before the appearance of the rash
- Eczema herpeticum
- Herpes encephalitis - inflammation of the brain causing focal neurology and reduced consciousness
- Stomatitis - inflammation of mouth and lips
Generally, what type of herpes do HSV1 and HSV2 cause?
- HSV1 - oral herpes
- HSV2 - genital herpes
Note:
Not always the case, they can both cause both types, above is just the most common
Is the inital or subsequent HSV infections worse?
Initial can be much worse
Where is chicken pox focused?
- Primarily on the face
- Then body
- Least on arms and legs
