Jackson: Eye Infections Flashcards
Staphylococcus Aureus
Relevant Virulence Factors:
- Alpha toxin (primary)
- Teichoic acid (aids in colonization)
- Antiphagocytic compounds
Staphylococcus Aureus
Basics:
Infections
Blepharitis: Dacrocystitis: Conjunctivitis: Keratoconjunctivitis: Endophthalmitis:
Basics: principle cause of eye infections due to high carriage rates in humans
Infections:
Blepharitis: infection of eyelid margin or sebaceous gland (also called a sty)
Dacrocystitis: inflammation of lacrimal sac
Conjunctivitis: inflammation of conjunctiva (can spread to cornea, eyelids and sclera)
Keratoconjunctivitis: conjunctiva and cornea
Endophthalmitis: infection of the aqueous or vitreous humor; requires ulceration/penetrating injury to compromise cornea and sclera
Staphylococcus Aureus
ID
Shape/Staining:
Biochemical Tests:
Shape/Staining: Gram positive cocci in clusters
Biochemical Tests:
o Catalase positive
o Coagulase positive
o Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
Streptococcus Pneumoniae
Relevant Virulence Factors (3):
Polysaccharide capsule: interferes with complement pathway (84 different serotypes); primary virulence factor
Pneumolysin: membrane damaging cytolysin related to SLO
Cell wall: techoic acid and peptidoglycan contribute to inflammatory response
Streptococcus Pneumoniae
Etiology/Pathogenesis
Basics:
Infections (3):
Basics: common in upper respiratory tract; may cause infection due to close proximity of eyes to this area
Infections:
o Dacrocystitis
o Conjunctivitis
o Keratoconjunctivitis
Streptococcus Pneumoniae
ID
Shape/staining
Classification:
Biochemical Tests:
Shape/Staining: Gram positive diplococcus (pneumococcus; lancet shaped)
Classification: not part of Lancefield grouping
Biochemical Tests:
o Capsular serotyping
o Quelling reaction (capsular swelling due to adding anti-capsule Abs)
o Optochin (P disk) susceptibility test
o Bile solubility (differentiate from S. viridians)
Haemophilus Influenzae
Relevant Virulence Factor:
What is the most virulent serotype?
Polysaccharide Capsule: antiphagocytic and antigenic change; most important VF
- 6 different serotypes (a-f)
- Serotype b (Hib): most virulent; composed of polyribitol phosphate (now vaccine for children to prevent associated meningitis)
Haemophilus Influenzae
Etiology/Pathogenesis
Basics:
Infections:
Exclusively found in humans, and we have a high carriage rate in upper respiratory tract (normal flora typically has no capsule)
Infections:
o Conjunctivitis
o Keratoconjunctivitis
Haemophilus Influenzae
ID
Shape/Staining:
Satellite Growth Phenomenon:
Capsular serotyping:
Shape/Staining: Gram negative rod (pleiomorphic)
Satellite Growth Phenomenon: require blood products (hematin/X factor and NAD/V factor) for growth; will grow only when supplied with these; on chocolate agar but not on blood agar
Capsular serotyping: with anti-capsule Abs
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Relevant Virulence Factors (4):
Exotoxin A
Exotoxin S
Elastase
Adhesin for colonization
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Exotoxin A:
Cytotoxin that causes ADP-ribosylation of elongation factor 2, stopping protein synthesis and leading to cell death
o Same mechanism as diphtheria toxin
o Promotes tissue invasion and evasion of immune system
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Exotoxin S:
ADP-ribsoylation of other proteins
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Elastase:
A cytolysin that acts as a protease for elastin, human IgA, IgG, complement and collagen
o Primary cause of corneal perforation during eye infection
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Adhesin for colonization:
Adhesion to cornea requires trauma to expose receptors.
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Etiology/Pathogenesis
Basics:
Infections (3):
Basics: found free-living in most environments, and is an oppotunisitc pathogen; causes eye infections by contaminating water and contact lens solution, or via iatrogenic means (contaminated ophthalmologic equipment)
Infections:
- Conjunctivitis
- Keratitis: infection of the cornea; requires trauma to expose receptors
- Associated with extended wear contacts
- Can rapidly destroy cornea in 1-2 days - Endophthalmitis