Staphylococcus

Question 1

Where is Staphylococcus commonly found in the human body?

Answer 1

Skin, nose, mouth, genitalia, and even the heart

Question 2

How does Staph cause illness?

Answer 2

Migrates deeper into tissue, secretes waste, and triggers immune response

Question 3

What type of infections is Staphylococcus most commonly associated with?

Answer 3

Pus, abscesses, and toxin-related illnesses

Question 4

What does MRSA stand for?

Answer 4

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Question 5

Why is MRSA hard to treat?

Answer 5

It’s resistant to many antibiotics and produces beta-lactamase

Question 6

What does S. aureus look like under a microscope?

Answer 6

Gram-positive, spherical, in grape-like clusters

Question 7

What helps S. aureus stick to host tissues?

Answer 7

Adhesins that bind to fibrinogen, collagen, fibronectin

Question 8

Name three serious infections S. aureus can cause when it invades deeper tissues.

Answer 8

Septicemia, bone infections, lung infections

Question 9

List three high-risk groups for S. aureus colonisation or infection:

Answer 9

Diabetics, IV drug users, ICU patients

Question 10

How is Staphylococcus most commonly transmitted?

Answer 10

Contaminated hands (especially in healthcare settings)

Question 11

How does Gram staining differentiate between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria?

Answer 11

Gram-positive retains purple dye due to thick peptidoglycan; Gram-negative turns pink after safranin

Question 12

Define septicemia:

Answer 12

Blood poisoning

Question 13

If you have a Staphylococcus infection, and your not sick, can you still spread it to other people?

Answer 13

Yes

Question 14

Can Staphylococcus infections spread via direct and indirect contact?

Answer 14

Yes

Question 15

List 4 ways in a hospital you can prevent the spread of a Staphylococcus infection?

Answer 15

Adopt good hand hygiene
Clean surfaces frequently
Screen patients for MRSA on admission
Isolate patients with it.
use protective PPE

Question 16

Who is the primary reservoir for staphylococcus?

Answer 16

Humans

Question 17

What percentage of healthy adults carry Staphylococcus aureus?

Answer 17

30%

Question 18

What protein in the bacterial cell wall makes Gram staining work for Gram-positive bacteria?

Answer 18

Peptidoglycan

Question 19

What are three examples of indirect transmission of Staphylococcus?

Answer 19

Contaminated surfaces, medical tools, shared equipment

Question 20

What is the incubation period for Staphylococcus infections?

Answer 20

4–10 days

Question 21

How does overuse of antibiotics contribute to resistance in S. aureus?

Answer 21

Encourages bacteria to evolve resistance mechanisms (e.g. inactivation, expelling drugs)

Question 22

What kind of enzyme does MRSA produce to break down antibiotics?

Answer 22

Beta-lactamase

Question 23

What decade did MRSA emerge after the introduction of methicillin?

Answer 23

1970

Question 24

Why is Gram staining useful in clinical settings?

Answer 24

It helps identify the type of bacteria and guides treatment choices

Question 25

What causes a staph sp. colony to become an infection?

Answer 25

When the bacteria enters an 'internal space' e.g. joint, bloodstream, bone (open fracture), lungs, etc.

Question 26

Bacterial cell walls are unique because they contain__________, which is a woven structure of sugars and proteins.

Answer 26

peptidoglycan

Question 27

Anyone can develop a Staph infection, but some are at greater risk. What are the risk factors? (Choose as many as necessary)

Answer 27

a. Injecting drugs b. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, vascular disease, eczema, lung disease c. Weakened immune system

Question 28

Staphylococci can be found inhabiting what areas of the body as 'normal flora'?

Answer 28

Nose/nasal flora

Question 29

Staphylococcus aureus can be spread by direct and indirect transmission.

Answer 29

True