L23 Streptococci and Enterococci Flashcards
Streptococci can be classified in two different ways - what are they?
- Serological properties (Lancefield groupings)
2. Hemolytic properties
What are the Lancefield groupings based upon and what are the 5 groups?
Group specific carbohydrates
A, B, C, F, G
What are the 3 hemolytic groupings?
- Beta: complete hemolysis
- Alpha: incomplete hemolysis
- Gamma: no hemolysis
What are the 4 genera of streptococcaceae?
- Peptostreptococcus anaerobes
- Streptococcus
- Enterococcus Group D
- Other genera
What are the 3 classes of streptococcus?
- Pyogenic beta Lancefield groups
- Pneumococci (alpha)
- Viridans group (alpha/gamma)
What is Group A strep?
S. pyogenes
What is Group B strep?
S. agalactiae
A 15 year old girl presents to an urgent care clinic. She describes sore throat, pain on swallowing, and she has a temperature. She has a negative rapid antigen test for strep throat. What is the diagnosis?
Acute pharyngitis caused by S. pyogenes
What are classic symptoms of acute pharyngitis caused by S. pyogenes?
Fever, sore throat, headache, cervical lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), exudate
Acute pharyngitis caused by S. pyogenes is difficult to differentiate from ___ infection.
Viral
___% of people are asymptomatic carriers of S. pyogenes.
5
How is S. pyogenes transmitted?
Respiratory droplets
True or false - rapid antigen testing is not 100% sensitive.
True
What is the sensitivity and specificity of rapid antigen tests? What can it be used for?
Sensitivity: 70%
Specificity: 95%
Rapid rule-in for pediatrics and adults
What is the sensitivity and specificity of NAATs (PCR-based antigen tests)? What can it be used for?
Sensitivity: >95%
Specificity: >95%
Rapid rule-out for pediatrics and adults
What is the sensitivity and specificity of culture? What can it be used for?
Sensitivity: 90-95%
Specificity: ~100%
Rule out for pediatrics (adults?)
What are the adherence, evasion, and destruction tools used by streptococci?
Adhere: M protein, F protein
Evade: M protein, capsule
Destroy: exotoxins and enzymes
What is the function of the M protein virulence factor of S. pyogenes?
M protein binds to epidermal cells and allow bacteria to survive. It is anti-phagocytic and degrades C3b.
M protein has over ___ (#) serotypes.
80
True or false - strains without M protein are still virulent.
False - they are avirulent.
What are two infections associated with S. pyogenes?
- Erysipelas
2. Impetigo
What is erysipelas?
Infection with S. pyogenes that causes spreading erythema with a well-demarcated edge on the face; often presents with fever and lymphadenopathy, often with accompanying streptococcal pharyngitis
Historically, erysipelas affects the face primarily. Today, the ___ are most affected.
Legs
What is impetigo?
Pyoderma associated with trauma/insect bites; pustules have a yellow crust; appears on face or extremities; frequently seen in young children, during warm months, and/or with poor hygiene.
True or false - the strains of S. pyogenes that cause impetigo are the same as those that cause pharyngitis.
False - they are different strains
What is streptokinase?
A destructive enzyme virulence factor of S. pyogenes that cleaves fibrinogen and fibrin, facilitating spread in infected tissues.
What are the two primary hemolysins of S. pyogenes and what do they do
Streptolysin S and Streptolysin O; lyse RBCs, leukocytes, kill phagocytic cells, spread bacteria in tissues
An 8 year old boy presents to his pediatrician. He has a low-grade fever and a diffuse erythematous rash over his chest that developed 2 days after he complained of a painful sore throat. An exudate was present over the tonsillar area of his throat and covered his tongue. He has a positive rapid antigen test. What is the diagnosis?
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is a complication of streptococcal ___. Describe its progression.
Pharyingitis; a rash first appears as tiny red bumps on the the chest and abdomen. The rash is fine, red, and rough-textured; it blanches upon pressure. It appears 12-48 hours after fever. It generally starts on the chest, armpits, and behind the ears. It spares the face, though some circumoral pallor is characteristic.
What are the characteristic features of scarlet fever?
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Strawberry tongue
- Rash that fades after 3-4 days, followed by desquamation
A 35 year old man presents to the emergency department. He reports 3 days of malaise, diffuse myalgia, and low grade fever. Over the next several hours, the pain became excruciating. Extensive necrotizing faciitis was present on surgical exploration. What is the diagnosis?
Necrotizing fasciitis caused by S. pyogenes
What happens in necrotizing fasciitis caused by S. pyogenes?
It is a strep infection that occurs deep in the subcutaneous tissues; it spreads along the fascial planes and destroys muscle and fat.
Describe toxic shock-like syndrome caused by S. pyogenes.
Multisystem organ failure (heart, respiratory tract, kidney) caused by SPE toxins (similar to TSST-1). Unlike patients with staph toxic shock, cultures are usually positive for Group A strep.
Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (SPE) involves three distinct heat labile toxins (A, B, C). They cause strep toxic shock-like syndrome. They are also responsible for the rash in ___.
Scarlet fever
What are two important post-streptococcal sequelae?
- Rheumatic fever
2. Acute glomerulonephritis