15. Staph & Strep Flashcards
Name 2 genuses of gram +ve cocci:
- Staphylococci
- gram -ve anaerobic bacteria - Streptococci
- gram +ve aerobic bacteria
How do you identify gram +ve cocci under the microscope?
- Stained purple/dark blue
=> gram +ve - Round shaped
=> cocci
How do you identify Staph. Aureus under the microscope?
When u see gram +ve cocci in CLUSTERS
How does Streptococci look like under the microscope?
- Gram +ve cocci in long chains, e.g. beta haemolytic strep
- Gram +ve cocci in pairs, e.g. strep pneumoniae
How are bacteria categorised based on their ability to induce haemolysis on blood agar?
- Alpha-haemolytic
- partial breakdown of RBC
- greenish appearance on blood agar - Beta-haemolytic
- complete breakdown of RBC
- blood agar plate looks transparent cuz RBCs are broken - Gamma-haemolytic/non-haemolytic
- no breakdown of RBC, blood agar remains red
What is Group A strep?
Strep pyogenes
1. β-haemolytic streptococci
2. Aka flesh eating bug, necrotising
What is Group B Strep?
Strep. Agalactiae
- β-haemolytic strep
- Problem in pregnant women, carried in vagina
- vertical transmission to baby => baby gets meningitis or sepsis => death
- management: give antibiotics to mother b4 to kill bacteria b4 birth of child
What kind of Strep is Strep pneumoniae?
- α-haemolytic strep
- partial breakdown of RBC
What does Strep viridans/Viridans Streptococci refer to?
- large group of commensal streptococcal gram +ve bacteria
- α-haemolytic, ‘viridans’ means green, refers to green discolouration produced on blood agar plate
Note! Strep viridans is not a species!!
What does Impetigo refer to?
Impetigo: soft tissue infection of peri-oral region
Usually occurs:
1. In children
2. Appears as honey crusted lesions ard oral cavity
Caused by: Staph Aureus (β-haemolytic)
Staphylococcus Aureus is _-haemolytic.
β-haemolytic
What is Intertrigo?
Intertrigo: common inflammatory skin condition that is caused by skin-to-skin friction (rubbing)/overlapping skin that is intensified by heat and moisture
Common causes: Staph aureus + secondary candida infection
- common as baby rash or in the obese/diabetics/pxs w weakened immunity system due to underlying medical disease
What is Lymphagitis & what is it caused by?
Lymphangitis: inflammation of lymphatic channels due to infectious or non-infectious causes
- can be caused by Grp A strep (β-haemolytic strep)
List the conditions/infections commonly caused by Grp A strep.
- Necrotising fasciitis (type 2)
- Erysipelas
- Lymphangitis
- Gas gangrene (myonecrosis)
What is Necrotising Fasciitis?
TLDR: flesh eating bug, caused by Grp A strep
Hallmark symptom:
- when area is touched, elicitis severe severe pain even tho it seems like nothing serious on the surface
Why so?
- necrosis starts in the fascia, which is quite deep and cannot be seen at first
- by the time it develops toward epidermis n black necrotic material can be seen => too late
- seen 1 or 2 times a yr (quite rare), dangerous cuz medical professionals may dismiss condition at first if they r not alert