Micro 8-Streptococci Flashcards
Are streptococci normally colonize mucosal membranes?
Yes.
Many normally colonize mucosal membranes (i.e., part of the normal flora/microbiome). The predominant component of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and genital tract
Streptococci mainly have high virulence. True/False
False.
Mainly have low virulence. However may also invade normally sterile body sites, causing significant disease
As staphylococci, streptococci also are catalse positive. True/False
False. The test is used to differentiate these microbes.
Streptococci are catalase-negative, whereas staphylococci are catalase-positive
Streptococci are able to grow both aerobically and anaerobically. True/False
True. Some are strict (obligate) anaerobes
what are the 7 basic features of streptococci?
1) May cause hemolysis on blood agar
2) Most are facultative anaerobes
3) Will grow both aerobically and anaerobically
4) Some are strict (obligate) anaerobes
5) Will only grow in the absence of oxygen
6) Catalase negative
7) Used to differentiate streptococci from staphylococci (also a Gram-positive coccus)
The ability of bacteria to reduce hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen-producing bubbles is determined by what enzyme?
Catalase (absent in Streptococci)
Lancefield classification of streptococci is based on:
1) hemolysis
2) antigens contained in their cell walls
3) emm gene
antigens contained in their cell walls.
Most commonly used classification systems:
1. Based on their actions on blood-containing agar – (Haemolysis)
2. Based on antigens contained in their cell walls (Lancefield classification)
3. Molecular classification (newer) - based on emm gene (encodes for M protein)
The pattern of hemolysis in which streptococci reduce hemoglobin and cause greenish discoloration on blood agar is referred to as?
α-haemolysis
The pattern of hemolysis in which streptococci lyse erythrocytes and cause complete clearing nearby is called?
β-haemolysis
What type of change in blood agar produce γ-haemolytic streptococci?
no change in blood agar
Based on Lancefield classification, streptococci of groups A-G all are α-haemolytic. True/False
False.
All are β-haemolytic except group D
From the Bacteria’s perspective, what are the factors required to cause infection?
1) get in-Portal of entry
2) attach to cells (adhesion)
3) defeat/evade the immune system
4) cause damage to host cells
5) get out and spread further
what are the clinically important streptococci?
1) Strep. pyogenes (Group A, β haemolytic)
2) Strep. agalactiae (Group B, β haemolytic)
3) Other β haemolytic streptococci
4) α haemolytic streptococci
- “viridans” streptococci
- Strep. pneumoniae (pneumococcus)
5) Enterococci (Group D, β or non-haemolytic)
6) Peptostreptococcus (anaerobic or non-haemolytic)
Streptococcus pyogenes is group A γ hemolytic streptococci. True/False.
False.
It is β-haemolytic as well as Streptococcus agalactiae. • One of the most virulent of the streptococci species with a large range of clinical presentations.
Group A streptococci commonly colonize nasopharynx. True/False
False.
They commonly colonize oropharynx of children and young adults (vs staphylococci)
Colonization of group A streptococci in the oropharynx is transient or permanent?
Colonization is transient, influenced by acquired immunity & competition from other organisms in the oropharynx
Transmission of group A streptococci is via:
1) aerosols
2) large-droplets
3) hematogenous
4) vector-borne
Large-droplet transmission
The major cause of bacterial pharyngitis are:
1) group A streptococci
2) group B streptococci
3) group D streptococci
group A streptococci, particularly Streptococcus pyogenes
What are the virulence factors of Group A β-hemolytic streptococci?
1) Structural components (cell wall, capsule, etc)
2) Cytolysins (cause cell lysis)
3) Pyrogenic (erythrogenic) exotoxins
What structural components of group A β-hemolytic streptococci are involved in its virulence?
–Capsule: resists phagocytosis
–Cell wall: peptidoglycan can activate the alternative complement pathway
–M proteins:
–>80 types, mediate attachment to cells, anti-phagocytic
–Major virulence factors – some types associated with greater severity of the disease
–M like proteins…. Bind IgG/ IgM
Name major cytolysins involved in virulence of group A β hemolytic streptococci?
–Streptolysin O/S exotoxins • ASOT titer –Hyaluronidase • Can cause tissue destruction, allowing the spread of infection –Leucocidin –Haemolysins –Streptokinase
What are the roles of pyrogenic (erythrogenic) exotoxins of group A β-hemolytic streptococci?
–Responsible for rash, fever
–Can be potent activators of the immune system (toxic shock syndrome)
–activation of T cells leads to increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines produced by both antigen-presenting cells and T lymphocytes
Which structural component of group A β hemolytic streptococci resist phagocytosis?
Capsule
Group A β hemolytic streptococci are bacitracin positive or negative?
Bacitracin positive (clearing around the bacitracin disk on blood agar)
What are the major clinical manifestations of infection with group A β hemolytic streptococci?
–pharyngitis
–scarlet fever
–erysipelas, cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis
–toxic shock syndrome, bloodstream infection
–pneumonia
Infective endocarditis is a common manifestation of group A β hemolytic streptococci infection. True/False
False.
GAS is a very unusual case of infective endocarditis (IE) – but RHD predisposes to IE by other organisms later on
Rheumatic fever typically develops after skin infection with group A β hemolytic streptococci. True/False.
False.
RF commonly develops after streptococcal pharyngitis, whereas glomerulonephritis typically after skin infection (but also after pharyngitis)
What is the predisposing factor for streptococcal pharyngitis
overcrowding, which eases the transmission of bacteria person-to-person spread by droplets of saliva or nasal secretions
What is the length of the incubation period of streptococcal pharyngitis
1) several hours to 1 day
2) 2-4 days
3) 7 to 10 days
2-4 days
What are the history finding of a patient with streptococcal pharyngitis?
–A patient complains of sore throat
–Fever, headache
–Nausea and vomiting (especially children)
what are the physical examination findings of a patient with streptococcal pharyngitis?
- erythema and edema of the pharynx
- lymphadenopathy, especially anterior cervical lymphoid chain (vs infectious mononucleosis which commonly affects posterior cervical chain)
- tonsilomegally with exudate,
- fever
what are the laboratory findings of a patient with streptococcal pharyngitis?
1) Rapid streptococcal antigen test (commonly used in clinical practice, result in 30 minutes, negative result does not rule out diseases)
2) throat culture
3) immunological (antibody) response (anti-streptolysin O titer, ASOT)-important in rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis
what are the complications of streptococcal pharyngitis?
– otitis media
– acute mastoiditis
–acute glomerulonephritis
–acute rheumatic fever (rare in developed countries due to widespread and rapid use of antibiotics)