(10-25) Wound Infections Flashcards
1. Name one tissue component exposed by wounds to which pathogens specifically attach. 2. Describe the potentially beneficial and harmful aspects of abscess formation. 3. Define wound infections and describe their possible consequences. 4. Identify the most common bacterial causes of wound infections. 5. Outline the significance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). 6. Give distinctive characteristics of three common wound infections caused by bacteria that grow in the pres
What is an abscess?
A localized collection of pus within tissue.
What is pus?
Pus is dead neutrophils, dead microorganisms, and degraded tissue
Differentiate between Pyogenic and Pyrogenic.
- Pyogenic: pus forming
2. Pyrogenic: fever forming
What helps separate the abscess from normal tissue?
An area of inflammation and clots
Why does the area of inflammation and clots separate the abscess from normal tissue?
It helps to keep the infection localized.
Is an area of inflammation and clots usually aerobic or anaerobic?
ANaerobic
Under what condition are pathogens more likely to escape an inflamed area and enter the bloodstream?
Under increased pressure (blood pressure).
How can an abscess be treated?
It must rupture or be surgically drained.
Name 4 common bacterial wound infections.
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Staphylococcus epidermidis
- Streptococcus pyogens
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Which Genus of bacteria are the leading cause of wound infections?
Staphylococcus
What are 2 symptoms of staphylococcus wound infections?
- Inflammation
2. Fever (in widespread infection)
Which 2 Staphylococcus species account for most human infections?
- S. aureus
2. S. epidermidis
The virulence of S. aureus is due to the production of which 4 extracellular products?
- Coagulase
- Clumping factor
- Protein A
- α toxin
What does Coagulase do in a S. aureus wound infection?
Coagulase causes blood clotting to evade phagocytosis.
What does Clumping factor do in a S. aureus wound infection?
Clumping factor aids in attachment to fibrin.
What does Protein A do in a S. aureus wound infection?
Protein A hides bacteria from phagocytic cells.
What does α toxin do in a S. aureus wound infection?
α toxin produces hole in host cell membranes.
Which bacterium has little or no invasive ability: S. aureus or S. epidermidis?
S. epidermidis
How does S. epidermidis protect itself from phagocytosis?
S. epidermidis sometimes produces a biofilm.
What are 4 measures one can take to prevent Staphylococcus wound infections?
- Cleansing wound
- Removing dirt and crushed tissue
- Prompt closure
- Pre-surgical antistaphylococcal medication
Which 3 drugs are used to treat Staphylococcus wound infections, and what are the limitations of each?
- Penicillin: most strains are resistant
- Methicillin: many strains treated, but some are resistant (MRSA)
- Vancomycin: resistant strain identified in 1997 (VRSA)
What is the primary pathogen in Streptococcal wound infections?
Group A S. pyogenes
Group A Streptococcal wound infections are common and can be treated with which drug? Why does that drug work?
- Penicillin
2. S. pyogenes does not have a lot of antimicrobial resistance
More severe wound infections are called _______.
Invasive
What are the 4 types of invasive Streptococcal infections?
- Pneumonia
- Meningitis
- Puerperal (childbirth fever)
- Necrotizing fasciitis
What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs with pus and fluid.