Lecture 11- Streptococci and disease Flashcards
Describe the general characteristics of streptococci?
- Gram positive cocci
- Grow in chains
- Some strains produce capsules
- Susceptible to penicillin(no B lactamase found)
Classify streptococci
Group A= S.PYOGENES Group B= S.Agalactiae Group C= S.Disgalactiae. S.equi Group D= S. bovis, Enterococcus spp Group F= S. intermedius No lancefield antigen: S.pneumoniae, viridans group
Describe diagnostic lab test to identify Streptococci?
Catalase test should give no bubbles for streptococci. Distinguish from S. aureus which gives bibbles
Describe diagnostic lab tests to classify streptococci?
If hemolysis on blood agar= B hemolytic Streptococci
If no hemolysis: 3 tests can be performed
Test 1- Bacitracin. If bacitracin susceptible then GAS species. If bacitracin resistant then GBS species of streptococci
Test 2- Bile esculin agar. If hydrolyse esculin then it is GDS Enterococcus. If no hydrolysis of esculin then do further tests
Test 3- antibiotic test with OPTOCHIN. If optochin susceptible then S.pneumoniae. If optochin resistant then viridans strep
Describe S. pyogenes epidemiology
- Asymptomatic colonisation
- can survive on dry surfaces
- spread from wound infections or respiratory droplets from person to person(crowding)
- Higher infection rates in maori and pacific island populations
List the streptococcal virulence factors of Group A S. Pyogenes- adhesins?
1) MSCRAMMS
- cell wall attached proteins
- bind to host extracellular matrix proteins
- Examples= M protein(antiphagocytic), F protein(binds fibronectin) and Cpa(collagen binding protein)
2) Pili
- Long hair like structures
- cell wall anchored
- tip protein functions as adhesin
- Cell aggregation(biofilm formation)
List the streptococcal virulence factors of Group A S. Pyogenes- cytolysins?
- Streptolysin O (SLO)= oxygen liable-forms pores in host cell membrane
- Streptolysin S(SLS)= oxygen-stable- lyses red blood cells(B-hemolysis), antigenic, anti SLO antibodies test for acute rheumatic fever
List the streptococcal virulence factors of Group A S. Pyogenes- spreading factors?
Same as S. aureus except Staphylokinase is called Streptokinase
What are the superantigens associated with S.pyogenes?
Streptococcal pyogenic exotoxins(SPE-A)
Streptococcal mitogenic exotoxin Z(SMEZ)
Structurally and functionally related to S. aureus superatigens ie result over-response and inflammation. However they do not cause food poisoning like S. aureus
List the immune invasion factors for S.pyogenes?
Capsule
- Hyaluronic acid coat= inhibits phagocytosis
-M protein= adhesin and functions to prevent complement factor C3b from opsonising(antiphagocytic).
C5a peptidase= cleaves complement factor C5a preventing neutrophil migration to the site of infection.
What are the three types of streptococcal diseases?
Non-invasive disease - pharyngitis, tonsillitis - pyoderma (impetigo) - cellulitis Invasive disease - necrotising fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) - streptococcal toxic shock syndrome Post-streptococcal disease - acute rheumatic fever! - acute glomerulonephritis
Describe characteristics of pharyngitis and tonsillitus?
Develops 2-4 days after exposure to S. pyogenes (sore throat, fever, reddened pharynx, pus-filled vesicles on tonsils)
Describe characteristics of scarlet fever?
- complication of pharyngitis!
- production of pyrogenic exotoxin A (SPE-A) = “scarlet fever toxin” = superantigen!
- can develop into serious systemic disease!
- fever, sore throat, “strawberry tongue”, characteristic rash on chest
Describe characteristics of impetigo?
- purulent infection of the skin (“derma”)!
- S. pyogenes colonisation after contact with infected person or fomites!
- spread to subcutaneous tissue through break in skin (e.g. scratch)!
- highly communicable, often in hot/humid climate!
Describe characteristics of cellulitis?
- infection of skin that involves subcutaneous tissue!
* acute, rapidly spreading infection (hyaluronidase, DNAse)!