Staph Aureus Bacteraemia

Question 1

Is staph a part of the normal human flora?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

What is the gram staining of staphylococci?

Answer 2

Gram positive cocci

Question 3

Which individuals have a higher rate of colonisation?

Answer 3

Those with: 
insulin-dependent diabetes
HIV infection
Patients undergoing haemodialysis
Individuals with skin damage

Question 4

How are staph a blood stream infections classified?

Answer 4

Healthcare associated

Community acquired

Question 5

What is the most commonly identified agent of skin and soft tissue infections?

Answer 5

Staph a

Question 6

What are frequent sites of distant metastases?

Answer 6

Bones and joints (especially when prosthetic materials are present)
Epidural space and intervertebral discs
Native and prosthetic cardiac valves, Cardiac devices
Visceral abscesses in spleen, kidneys and lungs

Question 7

Management of staphylococcal infection?

Answer 7

Antibiotic therapy
Source identification and clearance
Appropriate surgical intervention

Question 8

Antibiotic management

Answer 8

Flucloxacillin
Vancomycin
Teicoplanin
Linezolid
Daptomycin

Question 9

Flucloxacillin

Answer 9

Minimum duration of treatment for uncomplicated S aureus bacteraemia => 14 days

Question 10

Vancomycin

Answer 10

Far from an ideal drug due to poor tissue penetration, slow bactericidal activity, inconvenient administration and side effects

Question 11

Teicoplanin

Answer 11

Has an advantage in terms of its single daily dosing and could also be used three times weekly after appropriate loading

Question 12

Linezolid

Answer 12

Bacteriostatic, synthetic oxazolidinone, good penetration into bone and excellent oral bioavailability

Question 13

Daptomycin

Answer 13

Cyclic lipopeptide with rapid bactericidal activity againstS. aureus. Well tolerated. Has the advantage of once daily dosing