Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Arcanobacterium/Trueperella

Question 1

Is there any benefit to vaccinating a horse against strangles using the live attenuated vaccine vs. the inactivated bacterin or subunit?

Answer 1

Possibly- the live attenuated vaccine also stimulates mucosal immunity and is given at the normal portal of entry (i.e. nasal passages)

Question 2

Name some extotoxins produced by members of the genus Staphylococcus.

Answer 2

Toxic Shock Syndrome toxin (TSST)

enterotoxins (produce diarrhea)

exfoliative toxins

Question 3

What are some common disease patterns in dogs and cats caused by members of the genus Streptococcus?

Answer 3

Septicemia, secondary pnuemonia

Question 4

How are Staphylococcus infections normally treated?

Answer 4

By draining abcesses, applying topical antiseptics, and using antibiotics

Question 5

What is the difference between Streptococcus equi equi and S. equi zooepidemicus?

Answer 5

• Streptococcus equi equi* is found in horses
• S. equi zooepidemicus* is found in multiple species

Question 6

What are some common disease patterns in small ruminants caused by members of the genus Staphylococcus?

Answer 6

Tick pyemia, cutaneous abcesses

Question 7

What is MRSS? In which species is it most common?

Answer 7

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus schleiferi

Seen in dogs

Question 8

What antibiotics are commonly used for Enterococcus infections? Why is choosing the right antibiotic important?

Answer 8

First choice: Amoxicillin-clavulanate

Others: tetracycline

Frequently shows multidrug resistance

Question 9

What are some antibiotics commonly used to treat Streptococcus infections? What is the first choice?

Answer 9

First choice: penicillin G, ampicillin

Others: cephalosporins, trimethoprim-sulfa

Question 10

What are some antibiotics commonly used to treat Stapylococcus infections? What is the first choice?

Answer 10

First choice: penicillins (beta-lactams)- either penicillinase-resistant or in conjuction with a a penicillinase inhibitor

Others: fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, macrolides, trimethoprim-sulfa

Question 11

What are some common disease patterns in large and small ruminants caused by members of the genus Streptococcus?

Answer 11

Mastitis

Question 12

What are some common disease patterns in horses caused by members of the genus Staphylococcus?

Answer 12

Mastitis, cutaneous abcesses

Question 13

What are some common disease patterns in dogs and cats caused by members of the genus Staphylococcus?

Answer 13

Pyoderma, osteomyelitis, mastitis, otitis, and urolithiasis

Question 14

How are Enterococcus infections normally treated?

Answer 14

Correct any compromising conditions, can use topical polyantibacterials (otitis in dogs), antibiotics

Question 15

What are some antibiotics commonly used for Arcanobacterium infections? What is the first choice?

Answer 15

First choice: Penicillin G, ampicllin

Others: cephalosporins, trimethoprim-sulfa

Question 16

What are some common disease patterns in large ruminants caused by members of the genus Staphylococcus?

Answer 16

Mastitis

Question 17

Some members of the genus Staphylococcus produce coagulase.

What does this enzyme do?

Answer 17

Coagulates serum proteins, increases the virulence of the organism

Question 18

What are some common disease patterns in horses caused by members of the genus Streptococcus?

Answer 18

Rhinopharyngitis (“strangles” and “bastard strangles”), pneumonia, cervicitis

Question 19

What are some common disease pattern do members of the genus Arcanobacterium cause in small and large ruminants and pigs?

Answer 19

Traumatic or oppertunistic lesions

Question 20

What common disease pattern do members of the genus Enterococcus cause?

Answer 20

Diarrhea in young animals

Question 21

Where are members of the genus Streptococcus found most often on animals?

How does this affect transmission?

Answer 21

Found in the upper respiratory tract or near mucocutaneous junction of the mouth/nares

Transmitted by aerosol, contact with mucus or pus, or direct contact

Question 22

What are some common disease patterns in pigs caused by members of the genus Staphylococcus?

Answer 22

Exudative epidermitis (“greasy pig disease”)

Question 23

What are some common disease patterns in pigs caused by members of the genus Streptococcus?

Answer 23

Lymphadenitis, pneumonia, septicemia, menigitis

Question 24

How are Streptococcus infectious usually treated?

Answer 24

Drain abcesses, give antibiotics

Horses can be vaccinated against strangles

Question 25

What are some common disease patterns in birds caused by members of the genus *Staphylococcus*?

Answer 25

Subcutaneous granuloma ("bumblefoot") Can lead to tendonitis

Question 26

How are animals usually inoculated by members of the genus *Staphylococcus*?

Answer 26

Bacteria is usually present on the skin of normal animals, so they can become infected through portals of entry like hair follicles or cuts.

Question 27

What are some additonal disease patterns in large ruminants caused by members of the genus *Arcanobacterium*?

Answer 27

Mastitis and abortion

Question 28

What are some additional disease patterns in dogs and cats caused by members of the genus *Enterococcus*?

Answer 28

Otitis, lower UTI

Question 29

How are *Arcanobacterium* infections treated?

Answer 29

Drain abcesses, give antibiotics

Question 30

Describe how to set up a coagulase test and how to read the results.

Answer 30

The bacteria of interest is placed in a tube with serum. If the bacteria produces coagulase, a visible clump of serum proteins will form. If the bacteria does not produce coagulase, there will be no change.