Staph Aureus Virulence Factors

Question 1

What factors help staph aureus to attach to cells?

Answer 1

Surface proteins
capsule
Fibrin binding protein
Matrix binding proteins

Question 2

How do surface proteins help in the attachment to cells?

Answer 2

Attach to epithelial and endothelial proteins and foreign bodies

Question 3

What is the function of staph aureus’s capsule?

Answer 3

Inhibit chemotaxis, phagocytosis, facilitates adherence to implants

Question 4

What is the function of fibrin binding protein?

Answer 4

Attach to blood clots and traumatised tissue

Question 5

What virulence factor is found in staph aureus that cause osteomyelitis or septic arthritis?

Answer 5

Adhesin that promotes collagen attachment

Question 6

What enzymes are produced by staph aureus?

Answer 6

Coagulase
Protein A
Alpha-haemolysin
Leukocidin
Staphylokinase
Hyaluronidase

Question 7

What does coagulase bind to?

Answer 7

Prothrombin

Question 8

What is the function of coagulase?

Answer 8

Causes blood to clot to protect the bacteria from phagocytosis

Question 9

What is the function of protein A?

Answer 9

Binds to IgG to prevent phagocytosis

Question 10

What is the function of alpha-haemolysin?

Answer 10

Binds to platelets and monocytes and causes osmotic lysis

Question 11

What is the function of leukocidin?

Answer 11

Acts on neutrophils and is an important factor in nec fasc

Question 12

What is the function of staphylokinase?

Answer 12

Plasminogen activated: lyses fibrin

Helps bacterial spread

Question 13

What is the function of hyaluronidase?

Answer 13

Breaks down hyaluronic acid in connective tissue to help spread