Flashcards in Staphylococci and Related Gram + cocci Deck (45)
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1
What are the two major groups in the family microccaceae?
1) micrococcus
2) rothia
2
What are the 5 KEY characteristics of staph?
1) Gram + (clusters)
2) non-motile
3) non-spore-forming
4) catalase positive
5) facultative anaerobes
3
What is the main way to determine staph from strep?
CATALASE testing
+ = staph
- = strep
4
What are the 4 main types of staph to know?
1) aureus
2) epidermidis
3) lugdunensis
4) saprophyticus
5
Where is staph aureus normally found?
perineum, axillae, vagina
6
What are 5 factors that predispose one to staph aureus infection?
1) defects in leukocyte chemotaxis
2) defects in opsonization by antibodies
3) defects in intracellular killing of bacteria following phagocytosis
4) skin injuries
5) presence of foreign bodies
7
True or false: the usual site of infection is that where the organism is part of the normal flora
TRUE
(skin, nose + throat, GI tract, urethra, vagina)
8
Define pyoderma
any skin disease that is pyogenic (pus forming)
9
What is a furuncle?
skin disease caused by infection of hair follicles resulting in localized accumulation of pus and dead tissue
10
What is a carbuncle?
abscesses larger than boils (with one or more openings)
11
What are 3 toxin-mediated infections from staph aureus?
1) scalded skin syndrome
2) toxic shock syndrome
3) food poisoning
12
What are 4 components that interfere with phagocytosis? (AKA VIRULENCE FACTORS)
1) capsules
2) protein A
3) panton-valentine leukocidin (PVL)
4) coagulase
13
How do capsules interfere with phagocytosis?
prevent ingestion of organisms by PMNs
14
How does Protein A act as a virulence factor?
binds to Fc region of IgG interfering with opsonization and ingestion of organism by PMNs
15
What is PVL and what does it do?
enzyme that alters cation permeability of rabbit and human leukocytes resulting in white cell destruction
16
How does Coagulase work?
binds to prothrombin catalyzing fibronogen to fibrin which then coats cells (with fibrin) rendering them resistant to opsonization and phagocytosis
17
Which type of staph aureus is more infectious, PVL+ or PVL-?
PVL+
18
What are the 4 hemolysins in staph aureus?
alpha, beta, gamma, delta
19
What are the hallmarks of alpha hemolysin?
lyses RBCs, dermonecrotic on SubQ injection, leukocyte toxicity
20
What are the hallmarks of beta hemolysin?
shingomyelinase
produces hot-cold lysis
21
What are hallmarks of delta hemolysin?
acts as surfactant to disrupt cell membrane (forms channels that result in leakage of cellular contents)
can cause enterocolitis in neonates
22
What are the hallmarks of gamma hemolysin?
can cause lysis in a variety of cells
23
What toxins are responsible for staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome?
exfoliatins (aka epidermolytic toxins)
works by dissolving mucopolysaccharide matrix of epidermis causing separation of skin layers
24
What are enterotoxins?
heat-stable molecules responsible for clinical features of staphylococcal food poisoning, probably most common cause of food poisoning in U.S.
25
What 3 enzymes are produced by staph aureus?
1) Fibrinolysins - break down fibrin clots and facilitate spread of infection
2) Hyaluronidase - hydrolyze intercellular matrix of acid mucopolysacch to spread organisms to adjacent tissues
3) Phospholipase C - makes tissues more susceptible to damage by complement
26
What are examples of some superantigens associated with staph aureus?
toxic shock (TSST-1)
streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (SPE)
27
What 3 biological characteristics are shared by staph aureus supertoxins?
pyrogenicity
superantigenicity
enhance lethal effects
all induce polyclonal T-cell proliferation
28
What virulence factor is used to identify staph aureus?
coagulase
if it clots it is staph aureus
29
What is the alternative coagulase test?
latex agglutination
agglutination = positive
30
