LG 3.6 Micro Joint Infections Flashcards
3 most common organisms that cause NJI:
- Staph aureus (nongonococcal) 2. Neisseria gonnrrhoeae (gonococcal) 3. Borrelia burgdorferi
2 most common organisms causing PJI:
S. aureus, S. epidermidis
IDing info for S aureus
o Gr+ cocci, clusters o Catalase +, Coagulase +, Mannitol fermenter, beta-hemolytic o Facultative anaerobe o Ubiquitous, normal microbiota (nares, skin, mucous membranes)
virulence factors S aureus
• SCCmec chromosome → Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) • Protein A • SCCmec chromosome → mecA gene • Enzymes • Fibronectin-binding protein
ID info for Staph epidermidis
o Gamma-hemolysis, catalase +, coagulase -, mannitol fermentation -
virulence factors for Staph epidermidis
o Slime layer o Adhesins o biofilms
ID info for Eikenella corrodens
o Gr- rod - facultative anaerobe o Normal microbiota (mouth, GU, GI) (Human bite/clenched fist injury infix.) o Pit agar o Bleach-like odor
ID info for Kingella kingae
o Gr- coccobacillus o Human reservoir (normal microbiota: oropharynx) mostly kids o Facultative anaerobe o Beta-hemolytic o Oxidase +
Virulence factors K kingae
(Low virulence) damage to respiratory mucosa (e.g. viral) facilitates invasion bloodstream
ID info for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (morphology and habitat only)
o Gr- diplococci o Human reservoir
other ID info for Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• Aerobe to facultative anaerobe • Oxidase + • Catalase + • Oxidizes glucose • chocolate or Thayer-Martin (=chocolate agar + antibiotics)
Gonococcal virulence factors (5 of them)
- Adhesions (Opa, pili) 2. IgA1 protease 3. facultative intracellular 4. antigenic and phase variation (Opa, pili, LOS) 5. outer membrane blebbing
symptoms of DGI and gonococcal arthritis
- main (red) one: septic arthritis 2. also low-grade fever, petechial skin lesions migratory polyarthralgia
nongonococcal arthritis symptoms
o fever, joint pain (hot, swollen), impaired range of motion • usually monoarticular o knee most common
gonococcal arthritis symptoms
o DGI symptoms plus… o polyarticular (less often mono) arthritis (knee, wrist, ankle, elbow) o less joint damage than non-gonococcal arthritis
describe the three-part diagnostic strategy for NJI
• I.D. bacteria in synovial fluid is definitive o WBC count + gram-stained smear + culture
Diagnosing PJI (*not a posted objective)
o More difficult than NJI • less inflammation • infecting agent may be lacking in synovial fluid • biofilms not readily cultured
explain the role of biofilms in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of PJI
• biofilms complicate! o resting state • smaller inflammatory response • antibiotic protection • tougher to isolate microbes
what’s Lyme Disease vector?
- blacklegged tick (‘deer tick’) Ixodes scapularis in hyperendemic regions eastern U.S 2. nymph is primary vector
What’s Lyme Disease reservoir
rodent reservoir, esp. white-footed mouse
In US, where are most reported Lyme Disease cases?
northeast and upper midwest US
Describe seasonality of Lyme Disease
- between 2001 - 2010, most cases by far in June/July (70 - 80K) 2. second most in August and May (30K and 20K, respectively). 3. Lyme’s is most commonly reported vectorborne illness in US
describe interplay between deer tick, rodent, human in Lyme Disease

ID factors for Borrelia burgdorferi
Gr- spirochete
Microaerophile