Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Dermatology > Microbiology of bacterial, fungal and parasite infections > Flashcards

Microbiology of bacterial, fungal and parasite infections Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Dermatology Board Prep flashcards
1
Q

What are staphylococcus bacteria?

A 
Gram POSITIVE (purple) cocci in clusters
Aerobes and faculative anaerobes.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the 2 important types of staphylococcus?

A

1) Staph aureus which is coagulase positive and shows up golden on agar
2) coagulase negative staphs e.g. epidermidis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does coagulase positive mean?

A

Clots plasma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is SSSST?

A

Staph. scalded skin syndrome toxin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is PVL?

A

A toxin called Panton Valentine Leukocidin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What kind of infections do coag. negative staphs (e.g. S. epidermidis) cause?

A

Infection in artificial materials e.g. valves, catheters, joints.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What kind of infections do Staph. saprophyticus cause?

A

UTIs in women of child bearing age

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe streptococcus bacteria

A

Gram positive cocci in chains.

Aerobic and faculative anaerobes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How are streptococci classified?

A

Beta haemolytic - complete
Alpha haemolytic - partial
Gamma haemolytic- none

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are examples of beta haemolytic streps (dangerous!) ?

A

Group A strep causes throat and skin infections

Group B causes neonatal meningitis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Give two examples of alpha haemolytic strep

A

Strep pneumoniae which causes pneumonia

Strep viridans which cause endocarditis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What kind of gamma strep are commensals of bowels and cause UTIs?

A

Enterococcus faecalis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What kind of infections can strep. pyogenes (A) cause?

A 
Infected eczema
Impetigo
Cellulitis
Erysipelas
necrotising fasciitis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How are infections diagnosed?

A

A swab of the lesion is taken if the surface is broken.
If it is a deeper lesion then pus or tissue can be taken.
Blood cultures if systemic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the treatment for staph aureus and strep. pyogenes infections?

A

Flucloxacillin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is necrotising fasciitis?

A

Infection spreading along fascial planes below skin surface leading to rapid tissue destruction.
little to see on skin surface

17
Q

How is necrotising fasciitis treated?

A

Medical emergency.

Immediate surgical debridement required as well as abx tx

18
Q

What is the protocol for treating leg ulcers?

A

Only take swabs if signs of cellulitis or infection.
Treat if strep. pyognes, staph. aureus or other beta haemolytics.
Also treat if ? anaerobes espec in diabetic patients.

19
Q

What is tinea?

A

Ringworm

20
Q

Where does tinea capitis affect?

A

scalp

More common in children

21
Q

Where does tinea unguiun affect?

A

nails

22
Q

Where does tinea cruris affect?

A

Groin

23
Q

What is tinea pedis also known as?

A

Athlete’s foot

24
Q

What is the pathogenesis of fungal infections?

A

Fungus enters soggy skin
Hyphae is spread in stratum corneum and infects keratinised tissues only.
An increased epidermal turnover causes scaling.
Hair follicles are invaded.

25
Q

Why do dermatophytes have a ringed appearance?

A

The lesion grows outwards and heals in the centre

26
Q

How is a fungal infection diagnosed?

A

By clinical appearance
Woods light by fluorescence
Skin scrapings (scaly edge of lesion) or nail clippings are sent to lab in a dermapak.
Culture takes 2wks +

27
Q

What is the treatment for small areas of fungal infected skin and nails?

A

Clotrimazole (Canestan cream)

28
Q

What is the treatment for candida?

A

Clotrimazole cream with oral fluconazole

29
Q

What organisms cause scabies?

A

Sarcoptes scabiei

30
Q

What is the common presentation for scabies?

A

Intensely itchy rash affecting fingers, webs, wrists and genital areas

31
Q

How are scabies transmitted?

A

Close skin to skin contact e.g.. sex and also sharing towels

32
Q

What is the treatment for scabies?

A

Malathion lotion applied overnight to whole body and washed off the next day.
Benzyl benzoate can also be given but not in children!

33
Q

How are lice (pediculus capitis) treated?

A

Malathion

34
Q

What are the infection control issues with dermatology?

A

Patients who shed large amounts of skin give off bacteria into the environment.

35
Q

Which patients need single room isolation and contact precaution?

A 
Group A strep infections
(Infected eczema
Impetigo
Cellulitis
Erysipelas
necrotising fasciitis) 
MRSA infected
Scabies infected

Dermatology (19 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions