Immune Evasion by Microbes Flashcards
What are the 2 groups of diseases causes by S. Aureus?
- Localised pyogenic or “pus-producing” diseases that are characterised by tissue destruction by hydrolytic enzymes and cytotoxins
- diseases mediated by toxins that function as super antigens producing systemic diseases
What are properties of S. Aureus?
Can grown aerobically and anaerobically over wide range of temps. and in high conc. of salts
Has catalase which protects S. Aureus from peroxides produced by neutrophils and macrophages
Has coagulase which converts fibrinogen to insoluble fibrin that forms clots and can protect S. Aureus from phagocytosis
How is S. Aureus structures?
Has a polysaccharide capsule that protects bacteria from phagocytosis
Has cell surface proteins (Protein A, clumping factor proteins) that mediate adherence of the bacteria to host tissues
What hydrolytic enzymes and cytotoxins does S. Aureus have?
Lipases, nucleases and hyaluronidase that causes tissue destruction
Cytotoxins: alpha, beta, delta, gamma, leukocidin
They lyse erythrocytes, neutrophils, macrophages and other host cells
What toxins does S. Aureus have and what are their properties?
Enterotoxins: heat stable and acid- resistant toxins responsible for food poisoning
Endofoliative toxins A and B that cause superficial layers of skin to peel off (scaled skin syndrome)
Toxic shock syndrome toxin: heat and protease resistant toxin that mediates multi organ pathology
Where is S. Aureus commonly present?
Common cause of infection in community and hospitals because bacteria is easily spread
Antibiotic resistant strains (e.g. MRSA) are widely distributed in both hospitals (HA- MRSA) and community (CA-MRSA)
What are examples of S.Aureus Pyogenic diseases?
Folliculitis Impetigo Furuncles (Boils) and carbuncles Wound Infections Osteomyelitis Pneumonia Endocarditis Septic Arthritis
What is Impetigo?
Localised skin infection characterised by pus filled vesicles on a reddened erythematous base
Seen mostly in children on their face and limbs
What is Folliculitis?
Impetigo involving hair follicles such as beard area
What are furuncles and carbuncles?
Large, pus filled skin nodules, can progress to deep layers of skin and spread into blood and other areas of body
What are wound infections?
Characterised by erythema and pus at site of trauma, more difficult to treat if foreign body is present
Majority of infection caused by MRSA
What is pneumonia?
Abscess formation in lungs, observed primarily in very old and young.
Frequently following viral infections of respiratory tracts
What is endocarditis?
Infection of epithelial lining of heart, disease can progress rapidly and is associated with high mortality rate
What is osteomyelitis?
Destruction of bones particular in highly vascularised areas of long bones in children
What is septic arthritis?
Infection of joint spaces characterised by swollen, reddened joint with accumulation of pus- most common cause of septic arthritis in children
What are examples of S. Aureus toxin mediated diseases?
Food poisoning- after consumption of food contaminated with heat- stable enterotoxin: diarrhoea, cramps, vomiting and cramps onset is rapid but resolves in 24hrs (no requirement for bacteria to multiply)
Scalded skin syndrome- bacteria in localised infection produces toxin that spread to blood and causes outer skin layer to peel off- seen almost exclusively in very young children
Toxic Shock Syndrome: bacteria produce toxin that effects many organs: fever, hypotension, diffuse, macular erythematous rash
How is S. Aureus treated and prevented?
Localised infection managed by incision and drainage
Antibiotics for infection
Oral therapy includes trimethoprim- sulphamethoxazole , clindamycin or doxycycline
Vancomycin used for IV therapy
Cleaning of wounds and use of disinfectant
Thorough hand washing and covering exposed skin
Medications for food poisoning is symptomatic- source infection should be found to protect others
No vaccine available
What are common factors found in bacteria?
LPS in gram-negative bacteria
LTA in gram-positive bacteria
These are often detected by our immune response
What are neutrophils?
Most abundant leukocytes
Recruited to areas of infection
Detect microbes
Perform effector functions- kill microbes
Neutrophil responses must be balanced to prevent infection and damage in host
What do neutrophils do?
Adhesion
Priming
Chemotaxis- migrate along the gradient of C3a and C5a and bacterial proteins towards compliment components and bacteria proteins
Activation:
-phagocytosis
-opsonisation (antibodies and compliment)
-Inflammation (Recruit other immune cells)
-degranulations (release of reactive O2 species, antimicrobial molecules)
-Transmigration (recruitment of neutrophils- C5a and C3a bind C3aR and C5aR, endothelial cells express ICAM, neutrophils roll along the surface)