(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
Name 6 anatomical features of human skin.
- Epidermis
- Dermis
- Sweat glands
- Hair follicle
- Sebaceous glands
- Tiny sensory neurons
What are the 3 groups that most skin flora can be categorized into?
1. Diphtheroids ~ ex. Propionibacterium acnes 2. Staphylococci ~ Staphylococcus epidermidis 3. Yeasts
Which bacterium causes hair follicle infections?
Staphylococcus aureus
Which bacterium causes Scalded Skin Syndrome?
Staphylococcus aureus
Which 2 bacterial skin diseases does Staphylococcus aureus cause?
- Hair Follicle Infections
2. Scalded Skin Syndrome
Which bacterium causes Impetigo?
Streptococcus pyogenes
Which bacterium causes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Rickettsia rickettsii
Which bacterium causes Lyme Disease?
Borrelia burgdorferi
Which is more virulent: S. aureus or S. epidermidis?
S. aureus
In which 2 ways can S. aureus avoid host defenses?
- Its capsule impedes phagocytosis
2. It produces numerous enzymes that degrade tissue
Why aren’t S. aureus infections treated with penicillin?
90% of S. aureus strains are resistant to penicillin.
How can a S. aureus infection be treated?
- Drain the boil
2. Antibiotics
What is Streptococcal Impetigo?
A superficial skin infection involving patches of epidermis tissue just below the outer layer
Why is S. pyogenes referred to as Group A Strep?
Due to presence of Group A cell wall polysaccharide.
What does Streptococcal Impetigo result from, and how does it develop?
- Results from infection of an insect bite, scrape, or other nonapparent wound
- Blisters develop, then break releasing plasma that dries to a yellowing crust
Describe the shape and cell wall structural characteristics of S. pyogenes.
S. pyogenes is a Gram-positive, β-hemolytic cocci.