Streptococci Flashcards

1
Q

What are key characteristics of Streptococci?

A

Gram Positive cocci arranged in pairs/chains, faculative anaerobic, lactic acid production/fermentation
Catalase Negative

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2
Q

What organism is Group A strep?

A

S. Pyogenes

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3
Q

What is organism Group B?

A

S. Agalactie

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4
Q

What are differences between the hemolytic patterns?

A

alpha - partial hemalysis - green colored
beta - complete clearing
gamma - no change/minimal

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5
Q

What are common infections for Group A strep?

A

soft tissue, skin, and pharyngitis

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6
Q

What does Strep Group B commonly cause?

A

Neonatal diseases

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7
Q

What is the structure of S. Pyogenes?

A

M surface Proteins, Hyaluronic Acid Capsule, C5a peptidase. Group A.

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8
Q

How does S. Pyogenes avoid the immune system?

A

Capsule preventing phagocytosis
M-like proteins block C3a and bind Fc regions of antibodies preventing opsonization
C5a peptidase preventing complement

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9
Q

What is key in S. Pyogenes ability to invade the cell and adhere?

A

Surface protein M

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10
Q

What are kinds of Toxins produced by S. Pyogenes?

A

Spe toxins - superantigens, which are key to rapidly spreading infection in necrotizing fascititis due to the amplified immune response.
Also streptolysin, strepokinase, and DNAse
~All help mediate the spread of the infection

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11
Q

What type of patients have highest incidence of S. Pyogenes?

A

Children between 5-15 year old. Once developed an antibody to surface protein M the individual is protected.

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12
Q

How is S. Pyogenes transmitted?

A

Typically by droplet. Can colonize the pharynx without any symptoms.

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13
Q

What are illnesses associated with S. Pyrogenes?

A

Strep Pharyngitis, Scarlet Fever, Impetigo, Erysipeles, Strep Toxic Shock, Endocarditis (MURMURS), and necrotizing fasciitis (due to immune response).

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14
Q

What are late/after effects of a Strep infection?

A

Rheumatic Fever - from strep antigens being cross reactive to heart tissue and joint tissue and immune system attacks them
Glomerulonephritis - follows pharyngitis and skin infection and antibodies attack basement membrane of kidney

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15
Q

What would cultures identify about S. Pyogenes?

A

Gram Positive cocci in chains, catalase negative, group specific carbohydrates, and susceptible to bacitracin

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16
Q

What bacterium is Group B strep and where does it reside?

A

S. Agalactiae and is typically found in the GU and GI tracts. Has Capsule.

17
Q

What can typically cause both early and late onset meningitis in new borns?

A

S. Agalactiae. Mothers can pass it on to the children as well and they should be treated before giving birth.

18
Q

What are the physical characteristics of S. Pneumonia?

A

Gram Positive, encapsulated oval cocci in pairs/chains, Alpha-hemolytic, unique cell wall of Teichoic Acid, C-polysacchride and F-antigen

19
Q

How does S. Pyrogenes compare to S. Pneumonia?

A

S. Pneumonia doesn’t produce toxins and is invasive due to the host’s immune response.

20
Q

What is the unique pathogenesis of S. Pneumonia?

A

Adherence to epithelial cells, capsule resists phagocytosis, and releases cell wall components to cause inflammatory response allowing migration of the bacterium.

21
Q

What parts of the S. Pneumonia cell wall are important?

A

Teichoic Acid, Peptidoglycan, and Pneumolysin activate complement and inflammation response.

22
Q

How does S. Pneumonia typically infect people?

A

Part of natural flora in upper airway, but if gets into lower airway can colonize and if protective mechanisms are lacking in the lower airway.

23
Q

What kind of infections can S. Pneumonia cause?

A

Lower lobe pneumonia, otitis media/sinusitis, and has a high likelihood of spreading once in lungs.

24
Q

What is key to having an antibody against to prevent S. Pneumonia?

A

Anticapsular antibody protects the individual

25
Q

What organism is optochin sensative, can cause meningitis, alpha-hemolytic, and releases its cell wall contents for immune response?

A

S. Pneumoniae

26
Q

What organism is bacitracin sensative, beta-hemolytic, infects soft tissues, and release Spe toxins?

A

S. Pyogenes