ICL 2.8: Streptococci Flashcards
what is the microbiology of streptococci?
gram (+) coccus shape
how is steptococci classified?
- hemolysis
subdivided based on their ability to lyse red blood cells
- group specific carbohydrates
further subdivided based upon serological reactivity to different cell wall sugars = Lancefield groups
- biochemical characteristics
do NOT have catalase, while other gram (+) pathogens are catalase positive
what are the 3 hemolysis categories that streptococci can be divided into?
- α-hemolytic = green color, incomplete hemolysis
- β-hemolytic = gold color, complete hemolysis
- γ-hemolytic = no hemolysis!
what are the 5 groups of streptococci?
A,B,C/G,D, viridans
what is the organism and associated diseases of group A streptococci?
S. pyogenes = β-hemolytic
Pharyngitis, pyoderma, scarlet fever, toxic shock,
Impetigo, erysipelas, cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, puerperal sepsis, acute rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis
causes 800 diseases so this is the group we’re most concerned with
what is the organism and associated diseases of group B streptococci?
S. agalactiae = β-hemolytic
neonatal sepsis, meningitis, puerperal sepsis
what is the organism and associated diseases of group C/G streptococci?
S. dysgalactiae = β-hemolytic
upper respiratory infections; septicemia, deep-tissue infections
what is the organism and associated diseases of group D streptococci?
- enterococcus = γ to α hemolytic
genitourinary tract infections, wound infections, endocarditis
- s. pneumoniae = α hemolytic
upper respiratory infections, septicemia, deep-tissue infections
what is the organism and associated diseases of viridans streptococci?
viridans streptococcus = α hemolytic
native valve subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE)
which streptococci are α-hemolytic?
- s. pneumoniae
2. viridans
what is GABHS?
GABHS = group A β-hemolytic strep
GABHS differentiated from other β-hemolytic Strep based upon sensitivity to bacitracin so it WILL have a zone of inhibition!!
ex. streptococcus pyogenes
what is the composition of the capsule of group A streptococcus pyogenes?
hyaluronic acid capsule = antiphagocytic
poorly immunogenic
what is the rapid strep test?
it uses an antibody that is specific to group A capsule
group A capsule = hyaluronic acid!
what is the reason that sreptococci pyogenes is virulent?
there is an M protein that’s attached to the bacterial cell wall and it adheres to host cells!
it binds to fibrinogen to block C3 convertase (blocks classical complement pathway) and binds complement factor H (blocks alternative complement pathway)
group A streptococcus pyogenes is further divided into serotypes based on which M protein they have (130 serotypes)
the issue is that Abs against one M-type do not protect against other M-types; serotype-specific antibodies protect from re-infection –> so you need tons of antibodies because each serotype generates its own antibodies and you’ll get sick from each one
what does the M protein do?
protein of group A streptococcus pyogenes
it binds fibrinogen to block C3 convertase (blocks classic complement pathway) and binds complement Factor H (blocks alternative complement pathway)
what are the steps in the pathogenesis of grou pA streptococcus pyogenes?
- adherence
- immune evasion
- invasion and spread
- strep toxic shock syndrome
how do you diagnose s. pyogenes?
- culture
- rapid antigen detection test (RADT)
- DNA PCR
- Streptex (older, being phased out)
what would a s. pyogenes culture show?
gram-positive cocci in chains
β-Hemolytic; bacitracin sensitive
what is a dipstick test? what’s it used for?
it’s a type of rapid antigen detection test (RADT) used to diagnose s. pyogenes
throat swab is collected; carbohydrate extracted; add dipstick
it’s based on the group A carbohydrates!
if the red line comes up it’s positive
only takes 5 minutes
how is streptococcus pyogenes transmitted?
- contact with carriers
20% of school-age children carry GABHS during winter and early spring and it’s also in the normal flora of pharynx and skin
- air
distances of beds directly correlated with GABHS throat colonization (think military)
- hygiene
spread of all types of GAS infection can be reduced by good hand washing
what parts of the body does streptococcus pyogenes effect?
tonsilitis and pharyngitis
adenitis
what are the disease manifestations of s. pyogenes?
SUPPURATIVE INFECTIONS (pus forming)
- pharyngitis
- scarlet fever
- pyoderma
- erysipelas
- cellulitis
- necrotizing fasciitis
- streptococcal toxic shock syndrome
NONSUPPURATIVE SEQUELAE
- acute rheumatic fever
- acute glomerulonephritis
what are the symptomsm of s. pyogenes pharyngitis?
aka strep throat!!
- sore throat and fever = rapid onset of sore throat with malaise and fever (>101°F)
- tonsils enlarged = erythematous w/ patchy exudate
- tender anterior cervical lymph nodes = enlarged, palpable, tender at or below angle of the mandible
- ABSENCE of cough, choryza, hoarseness, or conjuntivitis (these are indicative of viral infections)
- non-pharyngeal signs = headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
- other signs = tongue is red & swollen “strawberry tongue”; soft palate shows petechiae
what are the complications associated with s. pyogenes pharyngitis?
- tonsillar abscess = serious infection of the tonsilar area
- cervical adenitis = infection of the cervical lymph node forms an abscess; ust operate to drain abscess in both cases
literally a giant bulge in the neck…