Classification of Pathogenic Bacteria Flashcards
How do bacteria reproduce
Mainly by binary fission
Is cocci rod shaped or circular
Circular
Is bacilli rod shaped or circular
Rod shaped
Is staphylococci in clusters or chains
Clusters
Is streptococci in clusters or chains
Chains
What does a positive coagulase test mean
Staphylococcus aureus is present which may indidicate MSSA or MRSA
What is Staphylococcus aureus
A major human pathogen carried in the nose, axilla and perineum
What can Staphlyococcus aureus cause
Wide range of diseases Boils/abscesses Soft tissue infections Septicaemia Osteomyelitis
What is Staphylococcus aureus commonly resistant to and why
Penicillin
Due to the production of penicillinase however using a different mechanism can produce strains which are methicillin resistant
What does a negative coagulase test indicate
Many different species such as: S. epidemidis S. haemolyticus S. saprophyticus S. lugdunenis
What are the categories of Streptococcus
α-haemolytic (partial haemolysis) which turns blood agar green
β-haemolytic (complete haemolysis) which turns blood agar clear
non haemolytic
Give an example of an α-haemolytic streptococci and what it can cause
Streptococcus pneumoniae which causes pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia
How can β-haemolytic streptococci be further identified
Through carbohydrate surface antigens which are split into groups A-G
The clinically most important groups are A, B, F and D
How are gram positive bacilli able to grow
Aerobically
Anaerobically
Give an example of a group A streptococci
Streptococcus pyogenes which is a major pathogen causing pharyngitis, cellulitis and necrotising fasciitis (‘flesh eating bug’)
What is an important cause of diarrhoea that is which is associated with toxin production and can be potentially fatal
Clostridium difficile which is difficult to culture and asymptomatic when carried in the gut of healthly people
What increases the risk of obtaining Clostridium difficile
Antibiotics
Anything which disrupts the normal gut flora
How can Clostridium difficile spread
Spores
How is Clostridium difficile detected
Using its antigens and toxins in stool samples by ELISA.
Name 2 Gram negative cocci
Neisseriac spp.
Moraxella spp.
What is meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges and septicaemia
What does Neisseria meningitidis cause and how can it be identified
Meningitis which is the inflammation of the meninges and septicaemia.
PCR can be used on EDTA blood
What does Neisseria gonorrhoeae cause and how is it spread
Urethritis in men
Pelvic inflammation disease in women
Sexual contact
What does Moraxella catarrhalis act as the causative agent for
Respiratory tract infections especially in those with underlying lung pathology.
What are coliforms
Organisms which are in the Enterobacteriaceae family
Where are coliforms mainly found
Human large intestine
What is a useful test to identify Gram negative bacteria
Lactose fermentation is useful as a preliminary test
What are the virulance factors for E. coli
Pili
Capsule
Endotoxin
Exotoxins
Where can E. coli be found
Human and animal reservoirs
What does E. coli ferment
Lactose
How many serotypes of E. coli are there and what are they based on
Over 160
Based on O antigen (LPS)