Gram Positive Flashcards
Staphylococcus general features
- round-shaped, cluster of cells
- produces exotoxins, enterotoxins, exfoliative toxins (target skin)
- most are coagulase negative (except S. schleiferi coagulans)
- resistant in environment

Staph disease patterns
- suppurative (purulent) cutaneous lesions
- mastitis, chronic granuloma, pyoderma
- “greasy pig disease” (exfoliative toxin)
- “bumblefoot”

Staph treatment and control
- drain abscesses
- topical antiseptics
- penicillin (beta-lactam antibiotics)
Streptococcus general features & important species
- chains of mother daughter pairs
- many strains are beta-hemolytic (can lyse RBC’s)
- normally in upper resp tract or mucocutaneous junction
- S. equi equi (equids only), S. equi zooepidemicus (broad host range)

Strep disease patterns
- pyogenic, suppurative lesions
- mastitis, rhinopharyngitis (strangles), arthritis, septicemia, pneumonia

Strep treatment and control
- drain abscesses
- penicillin
- vaccinate
Enterococcus general features
- acorn shaped
- GI disease

Enterococcus disease patterns
- diarrhea
- UTI (fecal innoculation)

Enterococcus treatment and control
- difficult to control (multidrug resistant)
- correct compromising conditions
- penicillin
Archanobacterium/Truperella important species
-Truperella pyogenes

Archanobacterium/Truperella disease patterns
- traumatic or opportunisitic lesions (liver, lung, ovary)
- mastitis
- lymphadenitis
- purulent lesions

Archanobacterium/Truperella treatment
- drain abscesses
- penicillin
Bacillus features and important species
- Bacillus anthracis (anthrax)
- forms endospores when exposed to air (weaponization)
- exotoxins (lethal toxin and edema toxin)
- progression depends on portal of entry
- geographical predispositions (central US-cattle driving trails, esp after rain fall)

Bacillus disease patterns
- multiple organ dysfunction, diarrhea, edema, shock,
- hemorrhage

Bacillus treatment
- penicillin
- vaccination
Corynebacterium features and important species
- “palisades” type pattern
- C. pseudotuberculosis
- C. renale (urine as energy source-UTI)

Corynebacterium disease patterns
- pyelonephritis, ascending urinary infections (c. renale)
- caseous lymphadenitis, pectoral abscess “pigeon breast” (c. pseudotuberculosis)

Corynebacterium treatment
- drain abscesses
- penicillin
- sanitation (keep from urinating on each other)
Erysipelothrix features and important species
- E. rhusiopathiae (reddening of skin/hair)
- may be acute, chronic, or asymptomatic

Erysipelothrix disease patterns
- endocarditis
- septicemia
- arthritis
- “diamond skin disease” in pigs

Erysipelothrix treatment
- penicillin
- vaccinate
- sanitation
Listeria important species
L. monocytogenes

Listeria disease patterns
- encephalitis (CNS signs)
- septicemia, keratoconjunctivitis, abortion

Listeria treatment
- penicillin
- remove poor quality silage (fecal contamination)





