Microbiology: Gram Positive Cocci Flashcards
1
Q
GP Cocci (GPC)
A
- Staphylococcus
- Streptococcus
- Enterococcus
- Appear as dark purple clusters (strep as chains)
2
Q
Lab tests to differentiate GPC
A
- Catalase test: separates staph from strep and entero (only staph is catalase positive)
- Coagulase test: separates staph aureus from other staph (only staph aureus clots plasma)
- Hemolysis on blood agar: distinguishes various types of bacteria
- Alpha: partial hemolysis leaving green area (S penumoniae, Viridans)
- Beta: complete hemolysis leaving clear area (S pyogenes)
- Gamma: no hemolysis
- Lancefield grouping: group-specific cell wall Ags (groups A, B, D. Refers to polymorphic immunogen on well wall. Primarily beta/alpha hemolytic strep)
- Enterococci differ from strep in ability to grow in presence of high salt, bile, and hydrolyze esculin
3
Q
Characteristics of Staphylococcus
A
- Non-motile, non-spore forming
- Facultative anaerobes, grow on non-selective media
- Have polysaccharide capsule can also made of fibrin (due to coagulase)
- Techoic acid binds to fibronectin to facilitate adhesion
- Peptidoglycan has endotoxin effects (not an actual endotoxin)
4
Q
Characteristics of Streptococcus
A
- Facultative anaerobes
- Grow on 5% sheep blood or nutrient broths
- Secrete toxins
5
Q
Characteristics of Enterococcus
A
- Group D lancefield Ag
- Hemolysis patter variable
6
Q
3 most common disease causing GPC
A
- Staph Aureus
- Strep Pyogenes
- Enterococci (E faecalis, and E faecium)
7
Q
Staph Aureus
A
- Found in nose, epithelial and mucosal surfaces
- Spreads to sterile sites via trauma, person contact, fomites
- Grows on 5% sheep blood agar, selective media is mannitol salt agar
- Changes the color of sheep blood from red to gold via hemolysis (Au=gold)
8
Q
Virulence factors of Staph Aures
A
- Protein A: binds Fc component of Ig (prevents opsonization)
- Coagulase: builds insoluble fibrin capsule around bacteria (prevents immune cell access)
- Hemolysins (cytotoxins): directly toxic to hematopoietic cells
- Leukocidin: toxin specific to PMNs
- Catalase: prevents toxic action of PMN-derived hydrogen peroxide
- Penicillinase (B-lactamase): destroys B-lactam ring of penicillins and renders them inactive
- Capsule and techoic acid
9
Q
Penetration of Staph Aureus
A
- Hyaluronidase: hydrolyzes hyaluronic acid in CT
- Fibrinolysin: dissolves fibrin clots
- Lipases: allows survival and spread in fat-containing areas
10
Q
Secreted toxins of staph aureus
A
- Exfoliative toxins: causes scalded skin syndrome
- Enterotoxins
- Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxins (TSST): super antigen that cross-links MHCII on APCs causing non-specific T cell response
- Cytotoxins (alpha, beta, delta, gamma): panton valentine leukocidin (PVL, gamma toxin) found in methicillin resistant staph aureus (MRSA). Causes lysis of leukocytes via pore formation, tissue necrosis (acquired virulence factor)
11
Q
Medical syndromes of staph aureus
A
- Skin and soft tissue (impetigo, cellulitis, abscess, wounds)
- Bone and joint infections (osteomyelitis, septic arthritis)
- Pneumonia (infection of lung, empyema)
- Bacteremia and endocarditis (infection of blood, infection of heart valves, respectively)
- Food poisoning (enterotoxin B)
- Scalded skin syndrome (exfoliative toxin): blisters and peeling of skin
- TSS: localized growth of staph aureus w/ release of TSST into blood (fever, hypotension, rash, multi-organ failure)
12
Q
Therapy to staph aureus
A
- Have resistance to penicillin due to B-lactamase
- Alteration of PBP (to PBP2) causes MRSA (methicillin resistance), coded by mecA gene
- B-lactamase resistant penicillins (anti-staph penicillins) are not effective against MRSA, but are against some staph aureus
- Can use 1st generation cephalosporins
- Vancomycin very effective (especially against MRSA)
13
Q
Coagulase-negative staph
A
- Most common is S Epidermidis
- Colonizes surface of skin, mucous membranes
- Can spread during implantation of devices, form person contact
- Contains capsule
- Often resistant to B-lactamase penicillins, cephalosporins
- Sensitive to novobiocin
- Not very virulent, infect patients w/ indwelling medical devices and immunocompromised
- S Saprophyticus is 2nd most common cause of UTI (resistant to novobiocin, used bactrim or ciprofloxacin)
14
Q
Streptococcus Pyogenes
A
- Group A strep
- Infects skin and upper respiratory tract
- Not normal flora but may be carried on mucous
- Spread by person contact w/ mucous or respiratory droplets
- Beta hemolysis on blood agar, lancefield A group
- Different from other beta hemolytic strep by: bacitracin sensitive, and positive PYR test (has nz that forms red product)
- Tx is penicillin
15
Q
Virulence factors and toxins of strep pyogenes
A
- Capsule
- Lipotechoic acid, F proteins both bind to epithelial cells
- M proteins (used in epidemiological studies): antiphagocytic protein w/ over 100 serotypes
- Secretes many toxins: pyogenic (pus-forming) exotoxins, streptolysin S and O, streptokinase, hyaluronidase