Bacterial Infections of Skin Flashcards
Most common pathogens for skin infections (except for childhood infections)
Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes
Skin Defense mechanisms
- Dry outermost layer comprised of continually regenerated, dead epithelial cells.
- Covered with antimicrobial peptides produced by epithelial cells (defensins and cathelicidans) – disrupt bacterial membranes.
- Low pH of sebum (produced by the sebaceous gland).
- Low pH and high salt content of sweat.
- Presence of lysozyme – breaks down peptidoglycan found in bacterial cell walls.
- Resident phagocytes (like Langerhans cells) are present in the epidermis as a first line defense against colonization provided by the innate immune system.
- Normal flora of the skin compete for colonization with potential pathogenic microorganisms.
gram (+) rod, aerotolerant
propionibacterium acnes
p. acnes
Gram (+) - rod, aerotolerant
Acne, folliculitis
present in follicle - releases lipases to digest trapped oil
Secretes: proteases, neuraminidase, hyaluronidase, WBC attractant
p. acnes tx
Treatment / prevention = topical agents to promote sloughing of skin cells and/or topical or oral antibiotics.
Impetigo
Superficial bacterial infection that causes skin to flake off
Impetigo common causes
Staph aureus, strep pyogenes
Tx impetigo
target both staph/strep - mupirocin or pleuromutilin or cephalexin
How to differentiate strep p and staph a
Both Gram +
Catalase test –> Strep negative, staph + (bubbles)
Impetigo Hallmark
Honey-colored crusty flakes, usually around mouth/face
Very common infectious agent of the skin. Can cause superficial infections like boils but it can also develop into deep tissue infections like carbuncles and abscesses. Also produces several toxins which can lead to serious toxin-mediated diseases.
Staph aureus (also strep pyogenes)
Clinical presentation: Staph aureus (localized, skin)
Localized skin/subcutaneous infection = impetigo, cellulitis, folliculitis, furuncles, carbuncles. Common infectious agent of surgical wounds.
Pathology staph aureus
Can colonize the skin (following breach) and evade the host defenses using:
protein A (binds Fc portion of IgG)
coagulase (forms fibrin coat around the organism)
hemolysins and leukocidins (destroy RBCs and WBCs)
Neutrophils localize to the infection site –> purulent abscesses form –> skin/subcutaneous infections may more deeply invade and reach the blood stream.
Bacteria
Gram +
Cocci
Catalase +
Coagulase +
Bacteria
Gram +
Cocci
Catalase +
Coagulase +
S. aureus
Staph aureus tree
Bacteria
Gram +
Cocci
Catalase +
Coagulase +
S. aureus
S. aureus Virulence factors for evading host defenses
protein A (binds Fc portion of IgG)
coagulase (forms fibrin coat around the organism)
hemolysins and leukocidins (destroy RBCs and WBCs)