Staphylococci and streptococci Flashcards
Staphylococcus spp. have what Gram reaction?
Positive
What is the most common arrangement of Staphylococcus spp.?
Grape-like clusters
What is a facultative anaerobe?
An organism that can grow in the presence or absence of oxygen; facultative anaerobes are capable of aerobic respiration or fermentation if oxygen is not present.
Are Staphylococcus spp. aerobes, anaerobes, or facultative?
Facultative anaerobes
List three regions where S. aureus is NRF.
- Skin
- Nasopharynx
- Mucosa
List two regions where S. epidermidis is NRF.
- Skin
- Mucosa
List three regions where S. saprophyticus is NRF.
- Skin
- Genitourinary tract
- Mucosa
Staphylococcus aureus, epidermidis, and saprophyticus are examples of ____ pathogens.
Opportunistic
How do Staphylococcus aureus, epidermidis, and saprophyticus cause infection?
Breaks in the skin/mucosal surface and/or change in the immune system.
List four conditions associated with Staphyloccus aureus, epidermidis, or saprophyticus infection.
- Bacteraemia
- Toxic shock
- Wound infections
- UTI
Staphylococci are organisms from which phylum?
Firmicutes
Staphylococci are organisms from which phylogenetic class?
Bacilli
Staphylococci are organisms from which phylogenetic order?
Bacillales
Staphylococci are organisms from which phylogenetic family?
Staphylococcaceae
Staphylococci are organisms from which phylogenetic genus?
Staphylococcus
What is empirical treatment?
Treatment based on pt presentation and knowledge of infections common to that site.
What does MCS stand for?
Microscopy, culture and sensitivity.
What is the first step of specimen processing?
Microscopy - performing a Gram stain.
List three things you would expect to see in microscopy of a wound exudate specimen.
- NRF
- Potential pathogen
- PMNs (neutrophils)
What non-selective media is always used to 16-streak a possible bacterial aetiological agent?
HBA
What selective media is used to 16-streak a possible bacterial aetiological agent from a skin swab?
MSA
What makes HBA a differential media?
Haemolysis
What is gamma haemolysis (gammaH)?
No haemolysis, only nutrient use.
What is alpha haemolysis (alphaH)?
Incomplete haemolysis, showing a greenish tint.
Why does alphaH have a greenish tint?
Green bacteria produce H2O2, reducing haemoglobin to green oxidised methemoglobin.
Production of H2O2 which reduces haemoglobin to green oxidised methemoglobin produces what kind of haemolysis reaction on HBA?
AlphaH
What is beta haemolysis (betaH)?
Complete haemolysis, showing a clear zone.
What makes MSA a selective media?
The high salt concentration (7.5% NaCl, 10X more than most media) which supports Staphylococci and inhibits most other bacteria.
What makes MSA a differential media?
The mannitol which differentiates between organisms that can and cannot ferment it.
What colour are mannitol fermenting (MF) organisms grown on MSA?
Yellow
What colour are non-mannitol fermenting (NMF) organisms grown on MSA?
Pink
What organisms grow well on MSA?
Staphylococcus and halotolerant species.
How does S. aureus appear on MSA?
Yellow colonies, yellow zone.
How does S. epidermidis appear on MSA?
Clear pink colonies, pink agar.
How does S. saprophyticus appear on MSA?
Usually pink colonies and agar but 10% of strains ferment mannitol (yellow).
S. aureus is ____ haemolytic.
BetaH