Straphylococcus Flashcards
Explain the resistance of staph to the following:
- Heat
- Boiling
- Pasteurization
- Disinfectants
- Soap
- Phenol
- Iodine
- Heat = somewhat resistant
- Boiling = killed quickly
- Pasteurization = killed
- Disinfectants = somewhat resistant
- Soap = resistant
- Phenol = killed
- Iodine = killed
What is the natural habitat of staph?
Skin flora of most mammals and some avians
30% of humans are nasal carriers
Also present in oral cavity
Peptidoglycan is what percentage of the cell wall of S. aureus?
50-60%
- Teichoic acid in S. aureus is of the _____ type.
- Teichoic acid of S. epidermidis is of the ____ type.
- Teichoic acid in S. aureus is of the polyribitol type.
- Teichoic acid in S. epidermidis is of the polyglycerol type.
True or False:
- Antibodies agaisnt the teichoic acid component are found in low levels in normal humans.
- The level of antibody increases durin more severe infetions with S. aureus.
- TRUE
- TRUE
S. aureus
Teichoic acid is released from the cell and combines with antibodies present. What is this responsible for?
Teichoic acid is released from the cell and combines with antibodies present. This is responsible for the consumption of complement components up through C5.
(Anti-complement)
S. aureus:
What are the 4 biological effects of Protein A?
- Anti-complement
- Anti-phagocytic
- Chemotractic
- Platelet injury
S. aureus:
Protein A is a major component of the cell wall. In which other species of staphylococcus can this component be found?
S. pseudintermedius
S. aureus:
Protein A serves as a receptor for what?
Serves as a receptor for the Fc fragment of the immunoglobulin molecule
S. aureus:
Which component is responsible for the breakdown of bactericidal fatty acids on the skin, allowing the organism to colonize tissue?
Lipases
S. aureus alpha hemolysin:
What is the mechanism of action?
Heptamer forming transmembrane channels (pores)
(Causes membrane damage to a number of mammalian cell types. Produces a lot of tissue necrosis)
S. aureus beta hemolysin:
What is the mechanism of action?
Phospholipase C activity digests cells:
Hot-cold lysis (collapse of erythrocyte cell membrane at less than 10 degrees celcius)
What type of properties does the gamma hemolysin have in S. aureus?
- Pro-inflammatory
- Hemolytic
What type of special activity does the delta hemolysin have in S. aureus?
Detergent-like
What 2 properties does the delta hemolysin have in S. aureus?
- Lethal
- Dermonecrotic
What is the major source of variability in hemolytic activity?
Beta hemolysin
What does leukocidin work against?
PMNs
Macrophages
How does leukocidin kill PMNs and macrophages?
By assembling a ring structure on cell membranes and creating a pore