lecture 8 strep pneumoniae Flashcards
Strep pneumoniae
NON lancefield pathogen pneumococci
acute bacterial pneumonia
part of normal nasal flora, major cause of pneum. fever, cough, dull chest
ottitis media
middle ear infection
meningitis
most common cause of meningitis, strep pneum. fever, neck pain, headache
Strep pneum vaccine, how many serotypes
polysac. capsule with multiple serotypes, original vaccine was against 6 of the most virulent sterotypes
pneumovax
capsular polysac vaccine , multiple capsular serotypes available. Original vaccine was most virulent
Strep pneum vaccine
multivalent because it is directed against 6 serotypes. The antigenic portion of the polysac from the 6 serotypes is attached to a carrier so the vaccine can direct against multiple serotypes
Which serotype was most virulent
serotype 4 is more virulent than 19 A
How does S pneum. take up DNA
by transformation. It is naturally competent and can incorporate the new DNA by RecA mediated homologous recomb.
What does competent mean
S pneum can take up DNA from the environment and recombine it into the chromosome by homologous recombination
What benefit does natural competence have?
Allows more virulent strains such as serotype 4 to pick up the capsule from less virulent strains such as serotype 19A. This allows them to escape the vaccine. and obtain new capsule types via transformation.
Serotype switching
serotype 4 replaces capsules genes with genes from 19A escaping original vaccine, obtain new capsule
Why did 13 and 23 valent vaccines develop?
because of the ability of more virulent strains to pick up the capsule from less virulent strains, these were created to cover additional serotypes.
serotype
strain of a microorganism
Features of S Pneumoniae
gram positive lancet shaped diplocci, catalase negative , quelling reaction positive ( capsular swelling)
Streptococcus agalactiae
normal vaginal flora 10-30% of women, new born sensitive to underdeveloped normal flora. Can lead to :
neonatal meningitis, neonatal pneumonia, post partum endometriosis, pregnant women are screened prior to giving birth and treated with antibiotics
Neonatal mening.
fever, lethargy, seizures, can be cultured from CSF, from Strept. agalactiae, Group B, serious condition
neonatal pneumonia
cyanosis, tachypnea , resp distress Group B , more severe, from Streptococcus agalactiae
S agalactiae group B streptococci
gram positive cocci in short chains(CSF), CAMP test positive, CAMP factors enhance hemolysis caused by S aureus hemolysins/ toxins