Microbiology Flashcards
Describe the key features of Staphylococcus sp.
Gram +ve cocci in clusters. Aerobic and facultatively anaerobic. Coagulase + ve (staph aureus) or -ve (staph epidermidis, saprophyticus etc)
When would you find enterotoxin being produced?
Food poisoning
What is SSSST?
Toxin produced by staph- Staph Scalded Skin Syndrome Toxin
Describe staph epidermidis
Skin commensals. May cause infection- artificial materials (Joints, valves, IV catheters)
What can staph saprophyticus cause?
UTI in women of child bearing age
Describe streptococcus sp
Gram +ve cocci in chains. Aerobic (and facultatively anaerobic). Classified by haemolysis - Beta = complete, alpha=partial, gamma = non-haemolytic
What toxin can be produced by beta-haemolytic strep?
Haemolysin- damage tissues
What further classification beyond haemolysis can be used in strep?
Antigenic structure on surface (serological): Group A- (throat, severe skin infections), Group B- (meningitis in neonates)
What are the 2 classes of alpha- haemolytic strep?
Strep pneumonia-Pathogen, commonest cause of pneumonia. Viridans- commensals of mouth, throat, vagina
What are the non-haemolytic streptococci?
Enterococcus sp (E. faecalis, E. faecium)- commensals of bowel, common cause of UTI
Name some competitive bacterial flora
Staph epidermidid, corynebacterium sp. (diphtheroids), Proprionobacterium sp.
When might you find staph. aureus infection of the skin?
Boils, carbuncles, minor skin sepsis, cellulitis, infected eczema, impetigo, wound infection, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome
When might you find strep. pyogenes infection of the skin?
Infected eczema, impetigo, cellulitis, erysipelas, necrotizing fasciitis (may also be caused by mixed bacterial infection).
How might you diagnose a bacterial skin infection?
Swab of lesion if surface broken
Pus or tissue if deeper lesion
+/- blood cultures, if appropriate
What is the antibiotic of choice for treating sensitive strains of Staph. aureus?
Flucloxacillin
What antibiotic is used to treat strep. pyogenes?
Penicillin (also treated by flucloxacillin)
What is the treatment for necrotizing fasciitis?
Life threatening. Requires immediate surgical debridement as well as antibiotics
What is necrotizing faciitis?
Bacterial infection spreading along fascial planes below skin surface > rapid tissue destruction. Not much on surface, severe pain
What are the 2 types of necrotizing faciitis?
I- Mixed anaerobes & coliforms,usually post abdo surgery. II- Group A strep infection
How would you treat leg ulcers?
Vascular problem, only swab if signs of cellulitis/infection. Treat strep pyogenes, staph aureus, other beta-haemolytic strep (B,C,G), anaerobes (esp diabetics)
What is dermatophyte (fungal) infection?
Ringworm
Describe the names of ringworm infections and locations
Tinea capitis-scalp, Tinea barbae-head, Tinea corporis- body, Tinea manuum- hand, Tinea unguium- nails, Tinea cruris- groin, Tinea pedis - foot (athletes foot)
What is the pathogenesis of dermatophyte infection?
Fungus enters abraded or soggy skin
Hyphae spread in stratum corneum
Infects keratinised tissues only (skin, hair, nails)
Increased epidermal turnover causes scaling
Inflammatory response provoked (dermis)
Hair follicles and shafts invaded
Lesion grows outward and heals in centre, giving a “ring” appearance
Are men or women more commonly affected by dermatophyte infection?
Men
Who does scalp ringworm mainly affect?
Children
Who does foot and groin ringworm mainly affect?
Men