Lec4 Staphylococci Flashcards
What is shape of staphylococci?
- pram positive
- cocci
What distinguishes streptococci from staphylococci?
- staphylococci are catalase positive
- staph grows in clusters, strep grows in pairs/chains
How can staphylococcus aureus be distinguished?
- gram positive coccus
- forms clusters [rather than chains]
- coagulase positive
Is staphylococcus aureus coagulase negative or positive?
positive
What are the virulence factors of staphylococcus aureus?
- growth as biofilm
- surface factors
- secreted proteins [exotoxins]
What is action of surface factors of staphylococcus aureus?
- 6 surface proteins
- facilitate binding to collagen, fibronectin, ferritin
- they are adhesion factors
What is action of secreted proteins of staphylococcus aureus?
- 5 cytotoxins and 12 enzymes
- facilitate hemolysis and spread of infection
What is the role of protein A in staphylococcus aureus?
- protein A is a virulence factor present in most strains, correlated with virulence
- bind Fc terminal of IgG –> inhibits complement and phagocytosis
- increases ability to cause inflammatory diseases [skin infection, organ abscess, pneumonia, endocarditis
What is role of capsule in staphylococcus aureus?
- polysaccharide capsule surrounds organism
- prevent opsonization
What are two staphylococal proteins that act as superantigens?
- staphylococcal enterotoxin
- TSST-1
lead to toxic shock
What does staphylococcal release of alpha toxin do?
cause septic shock
Are staphylocci typically pyogenic or non-pyogenic?
pyogenic - means they form lots of pus
Are coagulase positive or coagulase negative strains of staphylococci more virulent?
coagulase positive [s. aureus] are more virulent
What are 3 toxin mediated mechanisms of staph aureus [including disease and which related toxin]?
toxic shock syndrome [TSST-1 toxin]
scalded skin syndrome [exfoliative toxin]
rapid onset food poisoning [preformed enterotoxin]
What are the 4 stages of bacterial adherence and what drives each step?
- attachment: mediated by non-specific forces
- adhesion: driven by specific adhesion-receptor interactions
- aggregation: bacterial macrocolony formed imprved nutritional microenvironment and protects bacteria from host defenses
- dispersion