Agents of Skin infections I and II Flashcards
What strains cause Impetigo?
Group A streptococcus and Staphylococcus A
Erysipelas
Tender, superficial erythematous and edematous lesions mostly on the superficial lymphatics of the skin. Red and clearly demarcated, can be lethal
What is a furuncle? Carbuncle?
Boil and Group of Boils
What is folliculitis and how does it present/progress?
Inflammation in hair follicles. Starts typically as small red bumps or white-headed pimples around the follicles, turning into nonhealing crusty sores.
What is gas gangrene and what does it lead to?
Causes myonecrosis, brought on by Clostridium. Dangerous form of necrosis with necrotic bullae (large blisters)
What is Fasciitis and what does it lead to?
Caused by GAS, commonly known as flesh eating bacteria. Destruction of skin and subcutaneous tissue
What infections are brought on by Streptococci?
Impetigo Erysipelas Cellulitis Synergistic Cellulitis Necrotizing fasciitis
Think (NICE Strep)
What infections are brought on by Staphylococci?
Folliculitis
Carbuncles
Impetigo
Cellulitis
(staFilocoCCI)
What is the hemolytic test?
Alpha - You can lyse cells but can’t break down hemoglobin (looks green)
Beta - Complete hemolysis including hemoglobulin
Gamma - Can’t break down blood cells at all
Out of staph and strep discuss the following:
- Catalase
- Hemolytics
Catalase
- Staph - +
- Strep - Negative
Hemolytics
- Both group A so they are B hemolytic
VRSA vs. VISA
VRSA - Complete Vancomycin resistance
VISA - Incomplete resistance
Lancefield Group A carbohydrate antigen?
Not a virulence factor, but is a marker on the cell wall on Group A Streptococci.
Don’t always find this, but when you do, you know you have a GA Strep
Generalizations about Streptococci
They are gram positive and catalase negative. They can come in pairs or chains.
- Gram positive
- Catalase negative
- Beta hemolytic
- Bacitracin sensitive
M protein and who has it
M protein is a major virulence factor found in Strep pyogenes that binds to the epidermis and is antiphagocytic.
Hyaluronic acid and who has it
This capsule found in Strep pyogenes is identical to components of normal tissue, making it antiphagocytic. Antibodies do not work well on this guy as you might imagine.
Discuss pyrogenic exotoxins
These superantigens from Strep pyogenes stimulate production of cytokines, and are involved in the pathogenesis of scarlet fever and toxic shock syndrome
Normally, MHCII of an APC and the TCR of a T Cell bind fleetingly to activate
What is Streptolysin O?
An hemolytic toxin that hurts a variety of cells. We detect this in strep pyogenes with a anti-streptolysin test
Function of streptokinase
Released by Strep Pyogenes to lyse clots and help bacteria spread
Function of C5a peptidase
Degrades complement component C5a that attracts PMNs
Typical presentation of streptococcus
Petechiae on the soft palate with oropharyngeal inflammation
Three signs that we have Scarlet fever due to a strep infection that used the superantigen
- Strawberry tongue
- Circumoral pallor (white around the mouth)
- Rash with desquamation following
Discuss rheumatic fever and how it comes about
most often occurs in 6-15 year olds after throat infection with certain rheumatogenic M types of group A streptococci.
Autoimmune mechanisms likely – cross-reaction between anti-M antibodies and heart tissue
PANDAs is a pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with Group A Strep and is characterized by 5 criteria. What are they?
- OCD
- Pediatric onset
- Abrupt onset and episodic course of symptoms
- Association with GAS infections
- Association with neurologic abnormalities, such as motoric hyperactivity, choreiform movements, or tics
How do we treat Group A Strep?
Penicillin G, drug of choice for GAS infections but oral cephalosporins also work. If co-infection with Staphylococcus aureus (as in impetigo or cellulitis), then use penicillinase-resistant antibiotic to treat both organisms.
