3: Microbiology - bacterial and fungal skin infections Flashcards
What does sebum contain which lends towards its antibacterial properties?
Fatty acids
Name three species of bacteria which live on the skin.
Staph. epidermidis
Corynebacterium spp.
Propionibacterium spp.
What is a boil / furuncle?
A deep folliculitis - infection of the hair follicle
What can be used to identify the organism responsible for a skin infection?
Swab
Blood cultures if appropriate
Which test is used to differentiate different species of Staphylococcus?
Coagulase test
How do Staph. aureus appear on a coagulase test?
Golden
How does Staph. epidermidis appear on a coagulase test?
White
(Coagulase negative)
Which species of Staphylococcus appear white on a coagulase plate?
More than 20, including epidermidis, all referred to as “Coagulase negative Staph.”
How do Staphylococci appear under the microscope?
Gram positive clusters of round cocci
Which organism is usually responsible for cellulitis (i.e skin infections)?
Staph. aureus
Why aren’t coagulase negative organisms (e.g Staph. epidermidis) considered more seriously if found on a swab?
Commensals found on the skin
Sometimes they cause infection (e.g infective endocarditis in prosthetic valves) but usually not
Are Staphylococci Gram positive or Gram negative?
Gram positive (appear dark purple when Gram stained)
The coagulase test is used to differentiate different species of Staphylococci. Which test is used for Streptococci?
Haemolysis
Streptococci appear in (chains / clusters) and are Gram (positive / negative).
chains
Gram positive
Which species of Streptococci are alpha haemolytic?
Which colour do they turn on the plate?
Strep. pneumoniae
Strep. “viridans”
Green
Which cardio condition are Strep. viridans often involved in?
Endocarditis
Alpha haemolysis is also known as ___ haemolysis.
partial
Which species of Streptococci are beta haemolytic?
What colour do they turn on the plate?
Group A and B Strep.
Yellow
What is beta haemolysis also known as?
Complete haemolysis
Which species of Strep. is the one synonymous with Group A Strep?
Streptococcus pyogenes
Gamma haemolysis is also known as __ haemolysis.
no
Which species of Streptococci are non-haemolytic?
Enterococci - bowel commensals
Give 1) the type of haemolysis and 2) the colour change on the plate for each of these bacteria:
Strep. pyogenes
Strep. pneumoniae
Strep. agalactiae (Group B)
Strep. viridans
Enterococcus spp.
Strep. pyogenes (A) - Beta haemolytic - Yellow
Strep. pneumoniae - Alpha haemolytic - Green
Strep. agalactiae (B) - Beta haemolytic - Yellow
Strep. viridans - Alpha haemolytic - Green
Enterococcus - Non-haemolytic - No change
What is another species of Coagulase negative Staph., excluding epidermidis?
Staph. saprophyticus
Which species of Staph. is responsible for wound, skin, bone and joint infections?
Staph. aureus
Why is Staph. aureus so virulent?
Produces loads of enzymes