Catalase negative, Gram positive cocci Flashcards
Streptococcus, Enterococcus and similar organism
What enzyme are Streptococcus and Enterococcus species negative for, which differentiates them from staphylococci?
Catalase.
What type of oxygen requirement do Streptococcus and Enterococcus species have?
Facultative anaerobes
Name a common pathogen in human infections caused by Group A Streptococcus.
Streptococcus pyogenes.
Which Streptococcus species is known for causing neonatal infections?
Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus).
Which Enterococcus species are commonly encountered in nosocomial infections?
Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium.
To which Lancefield group does Streptococcus pyogenes belong?
Group A.
What type of hemolysis is exhibited by Streptococcus pyogenes on blood agar?
β-hemolysis (complete hemolysis).
Is Streptococcus pyogenes sensitive or resistant to bacitracin?
Bacitracin sensitive
What test result helps to differentiate Streptococcus pyogenes from other streptococci?
PYR test positive.
What virulence factor is responsible for the β-hemolytic pattern of Streptococcus pyogenes on blood agar plates and is oxygen-labile?
Streptolysin O.
Which virulence factor is oxygen-stable and nonimmunogenic, yet capable of lysing erythrocytes in the presence of room air?
Streptolysin S.
Which enzyme known as the “spreading factor” helps Streptococcus pyogenes spread through tissues?
Hyaluronidase.
What protein enables Streptococcus pyogenes to resist phagocytosis and adhere to mucosal cells?
M protein
It causes the red spreading rash seen in scarlet fever.
erythrogenic toxin
Which virulence factor of Streptococcus pyogenes can lyse fibrin clots?
Streptokinase.
Which virulence factor of Streptococcus pyogenes is antigenic, allowing for detection of antibodies following infection?
DNAseB
What is the most common bacterial cause of acute pharyngitis in children aged 5 to 15?
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A).
Which skin infection caused by S. pyogenes is characterized by perioral blistered lesions with honey-colored crusts?
Impetigo (Impetigo Contagiosa).
What is a potential complication of impetigo caused by S. pyogenes?
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (poststrep GN).
What superficial skin infection caused by S. pyogenes extends into the dermal lymphatics?
Erysipelas.
Which deeper skin infection involving subcutaneous or dermal tissues is facilitated by hyaluronidase?
Cellulitis
What rapidly progressive infection of deep subcutaneous tissues is facilitated by exotoxin B?
Necrotizing Fasciitis.
Which enzyme produced by Streptococcus pyogenes facilitates the spread of cellulitis by breaking down hyaluronic acid in connective tissues?
Hyaluronidase.
What condition, often associated with streptococcal pharyngitis, is caused by streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins and presents with a characteristic sandpaper-like rash and strawberry tongue?
Scarlet Fever.
How is the diagnosis of acute pharyngitis (strep throat) confirmed in a clinical setting?
Diagnosis is confirmed through a throat culture or a positive rapid strep test.
Acute pharyngitis most common bacterial cause
S. pyogenes
What is Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome similar to?
Toxic shock syndrome caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
What mediates STSS?
Production of potent streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins (SPEs).
What often tests positive in cases of STSS?
Blood cultures for Streptococcus pyogenes.
What protein is associated with Rheumatic Fever?
M protein.
What precedes Rheumatic Fever?
A respiratory tract infection believed to be caused by S. pyogenes.
What protein mediates Acute Glomerulonephritis?
M protein.
What condition is associated with immune complex deposition in the kidneys?
Acute glomerulonephritis.
Microscopy: Gram-positive cocci, some in short chains or pairs, round to oval-shaped, occasionally forming elongated cells resembling pleomorphic corynebacteria or lactobacilli.
Streptococcus pyogenes
What media is used for cultivating Streptococcus pyogenes?
5% sheep blood agar, chocolate agar, and 5% sheep blood agar with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT) for throat swabs.
Blood agar: Small, transparent, smooth colonies with β-hemolysis.
Streptococcus pyogene
what test: o presumptively identify and differentiate β-hemolytic group A streptococci (S. pyogenes-susceptible) from other β-hemolytic streptococci.
Bacitracin test