Skin infections Flashcards
Impetigo
Superficial skin infections, most frequently in children
spreading infection confined to the epidermis
folliculitis
pyogenic infection in the hair folicles
furuncles (boils)
extension of folliculitis (stye)
Carbuncles
infection extends to the deeper subcutaneous tissue (chills and fever due to systemic spread with single inflammatory mass
erysipelas
spreading infection involving the dermal lymphatics
cellulitis
spreading infection when the major factor is the subcutaneous fat layer
Abscess formation
folliculitis, boils (furuncles), and carbuncles
necrotizing infections
fasciitis and gas gangrene (myonecrosis)
Macules
flat and non palpable lesions
papules
palpable lesions
vesicles
palpable, fluid filled lesions (chiken pox)
pustules
palpable and contain pus.
When looking at a slide, you will see an accumulation of neutrophils with serous fluids within or beneath epidermis
Bulla
collection of serous fluid and have small numbers of inflammatory cells
Characteristics of S. Aureus
gram positive: most resistant of the non spore formers to adverse condition
non motile
facultative anaerobic
catalase and coagulase positive
can grow in 10% NaCl
Abscesses, systemic diseases, food posioning, toxic shock syndrome
virulence factors of S. aureus
staphylocococcal toxins (alpha, beta, delta, gamma, and P-V)
exfoliative toxins
enterotoxins
toxic shock syndrome toxins
enzymes: coagulase, catalase, hyaluronidase, fibrinolysin, lipases, nucleases
Characteristics of streptococcus
gram + arranged in chains
avoid phagocytosis mediated by capsule, M proteins, C5a peptidase
non motile
facultatively anaerobic
catalase negative
nutritional requirement; complex, need blood or serum enrich media for isolation.
carbohydrate: lancefield groups
M protein: 80 types
Streptolysin O and S
Hyaluronidase, DNASE
Skin abscesses, furuncles, and carbuncles
all related to hair follicle
collection of pus within the dermis and deeper skin tissues (pustule)
risk factors: diabetes, immunologic abnormalities and breaches to the skin barrier.
most are caused by infections. may be polymicrobial or monomicrobial. S. aureus occurs in up to 50% cases
TX: small furuncles, warm compresses to help drainage. Incision and drainage. The role of ancillary antimicrobial therapy is unclear.