Diseases of the Skin Flashcards
Chapter 21
What is an important physical barrier to infections?
Intact Skin
What are other important physical barriers to infections? (3)
- Epidermis
- Mucous Membranes
- Eyes
(T/F) Eyes have normal flora
False
What causes infections? (4)
- bacteria
- viruses
- fungi
- parasites
What two bacteria cause the most common superficial skin infections?
- Staphylococcal
- Streptococcus
Is normal flora Gram (+) or Gram (-) ?
Primarily Gram (+)
Give examples of Normal Flora (5):
- Staphylococcus
- Micrococcus
- Diptheroids
- Propionibacterium acnes
- Corynebacterium xerosis
Describe Diptheroids (2):
- Gram (+)
- Pleomorphic rods
What does pleomorphic mean?
Can change shape and size
What on the skin contains nutrients? (2)
- perspiration
- sebum
What on the skin inhibits microbes/pathogens? (2)
- salt
- fatty acids (some)
What does lysozyme do?
Hydrolyzes peptidoglycan
Define Vesicles:
Small, fluid-filled lesions
Define Bullae:
Vesicles larger than 1 cm in diameter
Define Macules:
Flat, reddened lesions
Define Papules:
Raised Lesions
Define Pustules
Raised lesions with pus
Define Exanthem:
Skin rash arising from a disease
Define Enanthem:
Rash on mucous membranes arising from a disease
Describe Staphylococcal Infections (2):
- Gram +
- coccus (grape-like clusters)
What virulence factors do Staphylococcal Infections have? (5)
- Coagulase
- Leukocidin
- Exfoliative Exotoxins
- Enterotoxins
- Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin
What does Coagulase do?
Clots blood plasma (protects against phagocytosis)
What does Coagulase protects pathogens from?
Phagocytosis
What does Leukocidin do?
Destroys phagocytes
What does Exfoliative Exotoxins do?
Cause Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSS)
What do Enterotoxins cause?
Food Poisoning (Later)
Describe Staphylococcus aureus (2):
- (Most) Coagulase Positive
- (Most) Pathogenic
How does Staphylococcus aureus enter the body? (3)
- nasal passages
- hair follicles
- skin abrasions (enters blood)
What diseases does Staphylococcus aureus cause? (5)
- Folliculitis
- Boils
- Sty
- Carbuncles
- Impetigo
What is Folliculitis?
Pimples, pustules
What are other names for boils? (2)
- Furuncles
- Abscesses
What are Boils?
Deeper, pus-filled infection
What are Stys?
Infection at base of an eyelash
What are Carbuncles?
Deeper infection, progressively invasive
Describe Carbuncles (4):
- usually encapsulated
- no circulation
- many are MRSA (methicillin resistant)
- harder to treat
What is Impetigo?
Highly contagious, crusty lesions
Describe Toxic Shock Syndrome (3)
- life threatening
- occurs in menstruating women (highly absorbent tampons)
- strain that produces and exotoxin (TSST-1)
What are the Symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome? (6)
- fever
- sun burn rash
- vomiting
- decreases in blood pressure (leads to…)
- shock
- death
Describe Staphylococcus epidermidis (2):
- coagulase negative strain
- mainly normal flora
Describe Streptococcal Infections (3):
- gram (+)
- coccus (grows in chains)
- divided into 3 groups (hemolysins)
What are the three hemolysins? (3)
- Alpha
- Beta
- Gamma
Describe Alpha Hemolytic:
Partial RBC breakdown