(10-24) Skin Infections Flashcards

1. Describe the importance of skin glands in health and disease. 2. List the three major groups of microorganisms making up the normal flora of the skin. 3. Describe the role of normal skin flora in health and disease. 4. List the skin diseases caused by: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes 5. Give the causative agent for the following diseases: Streptococcal impetigo, Chickenpox, Shingles, Superficial cutaneous mycoses 6. Give the major pathogenic and symptomatic features of the

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1
Q

Name 6 anatomical features of human skin.

A
  1. Epidermis
  2. Dermis
  3. Sweat glands
  4. Hair follicle
  5. Sebaceous glands
  6. Tiny sensory neurons
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2
Q

What are the 3 groups that most skin flora can be categorized into?

A
1. Diphtheroids
~ ex. Propionibacterium acnes
2. Staphylococci
~ Staphylococcus epidermidis
3. Yeasts
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3
Q

Which bacterium causes hair follicle infections?

A

Staphylococcus aureus

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4
Q

Which bacterium causes Scalded Skin Syndrome?

A

Staphylococcus aureus

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5
Q

Which 2 bacterial skin diseases does Staphylococcus aureus cause?

A
  1. Hair Follicle Infections

2. Scalded Skin Syndrome

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6
Q

Which bacterium causes Impetigo?

A

Streptococcus pyogenes

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7
Q

Which bacterium causes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?

A

Rickettsia rickettsii

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8
Q

Which bacterium causes Lyme Disease?

A

Borrelia burgdorferi

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9
Q

Which is more virulent: S. aureus or S. epidermidis?

A

S. aureus

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10
Q

In which 2 ways can S. aureus avoid host defenses?

A
  1. Its capsule impedes phagocytosis

2. It produces numerous enzymes that degrade tissue

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11
Q

Why aren’t S. aureus infections treated with penicillin?

A

90% of S. aureus strains are resistant to penicillin.

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12
Q

How can a S. aureus infection be treated?

A
  1. Drain the boil

2. Antibiotics

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13
Q

What is Streptococcal Impetigo?

A

A superficial skin infection involving patches of epidermis tissue just below the outer layer

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14
Q

Why is S. pyogenes referred to as Group A Strep?

A

Due to presence of Group A cell wall polysaccharide.

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15
Q

What does Streptococcal Impetigo result from, and how does it develop?

A
  1. Results from infection of an insect bite, scrape, or other nonapparent wound
  2. Blisters develop, then break releasing plasma that dries to a yellowing crust
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16
Q

Describe the shape and cell wall structural characteristics of S. pyogenes.

A

S. pyogenes is a Gram-positive, β-hemolytic cocci.

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17
Q

Give one example to explain how the extracellular products produced by S. pyogenes may aid its virulence.

A

Some strains produce protease that degrade tissue rapidly → “flesh-eating bacteria.”

18
Q

What is the treatment for Streptococcal Impetigo?

A

Penicillin

19
Q

Which virus causes Chicken Pox?

A

Varicella-zoster virus

20
Q

Which virus causes Measles?

A

Rubeola virus

21
Q

Which virus causes German Measles?

A

Rubella virus

22
Q

Which virus causes Fifth Disease?

A

Parvovirus B-19

23
Q

Which virus causes Roseola?

A

Herpesvirus type 6

24
Q

How is Varicella transmitted?

A

By respiratory secretions and skin lesions.

25
Q

Is the presence of Varicella increasing or decreasing overall, and why?

A

Incidence is declining due to effective vaccine.

26
Q

Describe the pathogenesis of Varicella in 5 steps.

A
  1. Virus enters through respiratory route
  2. Replicates and moves to the skin via blood stream
  3. Infects living layers of skin and moves to adjacent cells creating skin lesions
  4. Infected cells swell and lyse
  5. Released virus infects sensory nerves
27
Q

What is the latent virus produced by Varicella virus?

A

Shingles

28
Q

How long is the viral incubation period for Varicella?

A

Approximately 2 weeks

29
Q

When is Varicella infective?

A

Varicella is infective from 1 - 2 days before rash until blisters crust over.

30
Q

During which seasons do the incidences of Varicella increase?

A

Varicella incidences increases in winter and spring due to close contact.

31
Q

What is another name for Shingles?

A

Herpes Zoster

32
Q

What aspect of Herpes Zoster is significant with regards to epidemiology?

A

Persistence in the body allows survival of viral populations.

33
Q

Who is most likely to develop Shingles, and why?

A
  1. Elderly or immunocompromised

2. Correlates with decline in cell mediated immunity

34
Q

Which area of the body are Shingles lesions usually restricted to?

A

Lesions are usually restricted to area supplied by the sensory nerve.

35
Q

How are Shingles infections dealt with by the immune system?

A
  1. Inflammatory reaction occurs
  2. Memory cells (secondary response) respond
  3. Shingles disappears
    [Pain can persist.]
36
Q

What are Dermatophytes?

A

Molds that invade human skin, hair, or nails.

37
Q

What do Dermatophytes use as nutrition?

A

Dissolved keratin from the host’s epidermis.

38
Q

Give 3 examples of Superficial Cutaneous Mycoses.

A
  1. Jock itch
  2. Athlete’s foot
  3. Ringworm
39
Q

How can Superficial Cutaneous Mycoses be prevented and treated?

A
  1. Prevention: cleanliness and dryness

2. Treatment: anti-fungal medications

40
Q

The microorganisms that cause Superficial Cutaneous Mycoses are called what?

A

Molds termed Dermatophytes

41
Q

Which bacterium maintains the balance of normal flora and plays a vital role in limiting colonization by pathogens?

A

Staphylococcus