Chapter 18 Flashcards
Where are normal skin flora number higher?
In moist areas
How does shedding protect from viral skin infections?
Viruses cannot replicate in dead cells
What are the routes of skin infections?
Break of intact skin (infection from outside)
Skin manifestations of systemic infections
Toxin mediated skin damage (toxin in blood to skin)
What is staphylococcus aureus?
The most common skin pathogen, “swiss army knife” has virulence factors to counter almost every defence mechanism we have
What do staphylococcal skin infections cause?
Boils, abscesses to scaled skin syndrome, Toxic shock syndrome
What is the resistant form of staph aureus?
Methicillin resistant staph aureus
What is a boil?
A superficial infection of the hair follicle (folliculitis)
How does a boil progress?
Infection of the hair follicle multiplies and locally spread to cause an inflammatory reaction and an influx of neutrophils (pus), may drain inward and spread the bacteria
How is a boil treated?
Daring, antibiotics for severe infections (with fever)
Who will have recurrent infections of staphylococcus skin infections?
Nasal carriers will have recurrent infection
What happens in scalded skin syndrome?
The exfoliation toxin destroys the intercellular connections of the skin causing separation of the epidermis and large blisters
How is scalded skin syndrome treated?
Fluid replacement and antibiotics
What is Toxic Shock Syndrome?
Systemic infections from staph aureus that affect multiple organ systems
What are the symptoms of TSS?
Fever, hypotension, diffused red rashes and desquamation of the skin (limited to palms and soles of feet)
Why do tampons cause TSS?
The synthetic absorbent material holds lots of blood, which is the growth media for staph aureus (vaginal microflora) and produces toxins