Bacteria Associated With Skin Infections 2 Flashcards
Aerobic bacteria associated with skin infections
Erysipelothrix
Bacillus
Anaerobic bacteria associated with skin infections
Clostridium
Most important species of Erysipelothrix
Erysipelothrix rhusopathiae
General principles of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Straight/slightly curved Gram (+) rods in singles, short chains V/L configuration Pleomorphic morphology Ubiquitous/abundant in nature Catalase negative
Determinants of pathogenicity of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Capsule
Hyaluronidase
Neuramidase/Sialidase
Pathogenic determinant that cleaves N-acetylneuraminic acid, the sialic acid on cell surface
Neuraminidase/Sialidase
Responsible for spread and invasion of E. rhusiopathiae
Hyaluronidase and neuraminidase
Transmission of E. rhusiopathiae
Subcutaneous inoculation through abrasion or puncture wounds
Portal of entry of E. rhusiopathiae
Skin (subcutaneous)
Site of inoculation of E. rhusiopathiae
Fingers and hands (usually like cellulitis)
Primary reservoir of E. rhusiopathiae
Pigs
Most common risk factor for E. rhusiopathiae infection
Occupational exposure
Clinical manifestations of E. rhusiopathiae
Erysipeloid
Diffuse cutaneous eruption with systemic symptoms (Uncommon)
Bacteremia associated with endocarditis
Clinical manifestation of E. rhusiopathiae among pigs
Erysipelas
Cause of Erysipelas in humans
S. pyogenes
Characteristics of erysipeloid
Non-suppurative, purplish erythematous lesions at site of inoculation
Lesions burn and itch
Local cellulitis
This manifestation of E. rhusiopathiae is due to tropism in aortic valve in systemic disease
Bacteremia associated with endocarditis
Laboratory diagnosis of E. rhusiopathiae
Gram stain
Culture
Mouse protection test
Specimens used to culture E. rhusipathiae
deep/full thickness aspirates or biopsies from margin of lesion
True or False.
Swabs are not appropriate because they are localized deep in tissues.
True
Media used to culture E. rhusiopathiae
Heart Infusion (HI) Broth
Blood Agar Plate (BAP)
Erysipelothrix Selective Broth (ESB)
Type of hemolysis caused by E. rhusipathiae
Alpha-hemolytic
CO2 requirement in growing E. rhusiopathiae
5-10% CO2
Capnophile
This differentiates Erysipelothrix from Corynebacterium and Listeria
Production of H2S
Confirmatory test for Erysipelothrix isolates
Mouse protection test
Principle behind mouse protection test
Test mouse is given equine hyperimmune E. rhusiopathiae antiserum for protection
Both control and test mice are inoculated with culture filtrate
After 5-6 days, the mouse without protection dies
General properties of Bacillus
Large, Gram (+) spore-forming rods in chains
General properties of Bacillus anthracis
Straight rods with square/truncate ends
Jointed “bamboo-rod” appearance
Bacillus or B. anthracis
Spores oval, centrally located and do not bulge/distend the cell
Both
Bacillus or B. anthracis
Encapsulated
B. anthracis
Bacillus or B. anthracis.
Spores are formed in culture, by dead/dying animals and not formed by living animals
B. anthracis
Bacillus or B. anthracis.
Non-motile
B. anthracis
Bacillus or B. anthracis.
Usually motile
Bacillus
Bacillus or B. anthracis.
Form rhizoid colonies with peripheral medusa head appearance
Bacillus
Determinants of pathogenicity of B. anthracis
Capsular polypeptide of D-glumatic acid
Anthrax toxin
Only organism to utilize protein (polypeptide of D-glutamic acid) for capsule
B. anthracis
Anti-phagocytic determinant of pathogenicity of B. anthracis
Capsular polypeptide of D-glutamic acid
Plasmid that encode for capsular polypeptide of D-glutamic acid
pXO2
“Invasive stage” of B. anthracis
Capsular polypeptide of D-glutamic acid
Capsular polypeptide of D-glutamic acid is detected by
Mac Fadyean reaction (polychrome methylene blue)
Major virulence factor for B. anthracis
Anthrax toxin
Characteristics of Anthrax toxin
Toxigenic stage
Heat-labile
Trimolecular toxin
Plasmid that encodes for Anthrax toxin
pXO1
Components of the Anthrax toxin
Protective Ag (PA) Edema Factor (EA) Lethal Factor (LA)
Anthrax toxin component that delivers EA and LA to cytosol of cell
PA
Anthrax toxin component that activates the adenylyl cyclase
EA
Anthrax toxin component that is cytotoxic to cells and causes death of target cells
LA
True or False.
None of the three factors is toxic on their own.
True
PA + EA
Edema
PA + LA
Cytotoxicity
PA + EA + LA
Edema and cytotoxicity
Greatest threat from anthrax
The toxin it creates that destroys the victim’s cells even after antibiotics might have killed the bacteria itself.
Principal targets of Anthrax’s Toxin Attack are
Macrophages
Mechanism of macrophage attack during anthrax toxin attack
Anthrax bacteria flood into the bloodstream following
infection
Bacteria produce a toxin comprised of three parts
One part of the toxin, the protective antigen (PA), attaches to a receptor on the membrane, it penetrates the membrane allowing the other toxins to enter
Once inside, the other parts of the toxin kill the cell by disrupting its internal mechanisms
Infectious particle of B. anthracis
Spore