Chapter 19: Objectives Flashcards
Contrast the virulence of Staphylococcus aureus with that of Staphylococcus epidermidis in humans.
- S. aureus protein A positive, S. epidermidis protein A negative
- S. Aureus coagulase positive, S. epidermidis negative
- S. aureus slime layer positive, S. epidermidis positive
- S. Aureus catalase positive, S. epidermidis positive
- S. aureus hyaluronidase positive, S. epidermidis hyaluronidase negative
- S. aureus staphylokinase positive, S. epidermidis staphylokinase negative
- S. aureus lipase positive, S. epidermidis lipase positive
- S, aureus β-lactamase positive, S. epidermidis negative
- S. aureus toxins positive, S. epidermidis negative
Discuss the structural features, enzymes, and toxins of Staphylococcus that enable it to be pathogenic.
- Protein A
- Coagulase
- Slime layer
- Hyaluronidase
- Staphylokinase
- Lipases
- β - lactamase
- Cytolytic toxins
- Exfoliative toxins
- Enterotoxins
Protein A (staphylococcus structural defense against phagocytosis; antiphagocytic)
Coats the cell surface; interferes with humoral immune responses
Bound coagulase (staphylococcus structural defense against phagocytosis; antiphagocytic)
- Converts fibrinogen into fibrin molecules
- Fibrin clots hide the bacteria from phagocytic cells
Slime layers (staphylococcus structural defense against phagocytosis; antiphagocytic)
Capsules:
- Inhibit leukocyte chemotaxis and phagocytosis
- Facilitate attachment of Staphylococcus to surfaces
Enzymes (staphylococcus)
- Secreted by the pathogen
- Dissolve structural chemicals in the body
Cell free coagulase (Staphylococcus enzymes)
Triggers blood clotting
Hyaluronidase (staphylococcus enzymes)
- Breaks down hyaluronic acid
- Enables the bacteria to spread between cells
Staphylokinase (staphylococcus enzymes)
- Dissolves fibrin threads in blood clots
- Allows Staphylococcus Aureus to free itself from clots
Lipases (Staphylococcus enzymes)
- Digest lipids
- Allow Staphylococcus to grow in skin and in oil glands
β-lactamase (Staphylococcus enzymes)
- Breaks down penicillin
- Allows bacteria to survive treatment with β- lactam antimicrobial drugs
Toxins (Staphylococcus)
Chemicals that harm tissues or trigger host immune responses that cause damage
- Cytolytic toxins
- Exfoliative toxins
- Toxic- shock syndrome toxin
- Enterotoxins
Toxemia (staphylococcus toxins)
Refers to toxins in the bloodstream that are carried beyond the site of infection
Cytolytic toxins (staphylococcus toxins)
- Alpha, beta, gama, delta, and leukocidin
- Disrupts the cytoplasmic membrane of a variety of cells
- Leukocidin can lyse leukocytes specifically
Exfoliative toxins (staphylococcus toxins)
- Cause skin cells to separate and slough off
- Exfoliative toxin causes reddened patches of the epidermis to slough off
Toxic-shock syndrome toxin (staphylococcus toxins)
Causes toxic shock syndrome
Enterotoxins (staphylococcus toxins)
- A, B, C, D, and E
- Stimulate symptoms associated with food poisoning
- Are heat stable, active at 100℃ for up to 30 minutes
What are the three categories of Staphylococcus diseases?
- Noninvasive (food poisoning)
- Cutaneous (various skin conditions)
- Systemic (Variety of infections when bacteria invade deeper tissues)
Describe the symptoms of staphylococcus food poisoning
Consumed bacteria do not continue to produce disease/ toxins, so the course of the disease is rapid usually lasting 24 hours or less.
- Nausea
- Severe vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Sweating
- Abdominal pain
List the six pyogenic lesions caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
Cutaneous: various skin conditions
- Scaled skin syndrome
- Impetigo
- Folliculitis
- Sty
- Furuncle
- Carbuncle
Describe scaled skin syndrome
- Caused by S. aureus
- Exfoliative toxin causes reddened patches of the epidermis to slough off
- Blisters contain clear fluid lacking bacteria or WBC
Describe impetigo
- 80% caused by S. aureus
- Reddened patches of skin become pus filled vesicles that eventually crust over
- Generally affects children
Describe folliculitis
- Infection of a hair follicle in which the base of the follicle becomes red, swollen, and pus filled
- Staphylococcus aureus (cutaneous lesion)
Describe sty
- When the infection of a hair follicle occurs at the base of the eyelid
- Staphylococcus aureus (cutaneous lesion)
Describe furuncle
- A large, painful raised nodular extension of folliculitis into surrounding tissue
- Staphylococcus aureus (cutaneous lesion)
Describe carbuncle
When several furuncles coalesce, it extends deeper into the tissues, triggering fever and chills.
What are five systemic and potentially fatal diseases caused by Staphylococcus
- Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome
- Bacteremia
- Endocarditis
- Pneumonia
- Osteomyelitis
Describe staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome
- Occurs when TSS toxin is absorbed through the blood
- Life-threatening, occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means the cells and organs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients to function properly
- Characterized by fever, vomiting, red rash, low blood pressure, loss of sheets of skin
Describe bacteremia
- Presence of bacteria in blood
- Systemic disease caused by staphylococcus
Describe endocarditis
- Present in the lining of the heart
- Systemic disease caused by staphylococcus