Streptococcus and Enterococcus Flashcards
Gram-positive cocci, catalase negative
- streptococcus, enterococcus, and some other non-pathogenic species
- part of normal flora
- not usually associated with infection, except in ICPs
Catalase negative gram-positive cocci cause infection by gaining access to sites that are normally sterile
S. pyogenes, groups C & G, S. agalactiae, S. pneumoniae, Viridans strep., E. faecium, E. faecalis
- gram-positive, catalase negative cocci
- form chains in liquid medium
- facultative anaerobes, non-motile, susceptible to penicillin and vancomycin, some are fastidious
- ID based on hemolysis and Lancefield classification
Streptococcaceae
Hemolysin patterns
determines if bacteria produce extracellular enzymes that lyse RBCs in agar
complete clearing of the erythrocytes around a bacterial colony
beta hemolysis
partial clearing of the erythrocytes around a bacterial colony
alpha hemolysis
gamma hemolysis
no hemolysis or clearing around a bacterial colony
Lancefield classification
classification of strep bacteria based on carbohydrate antigens
Strep group that exhibits Beta hemolysis
Group A streptococcus
Strep that exhibit alpha hemolysis
Strep pneumoniae
Strep that exhibit gamma or no hemolysis
Group D strep and enterococcus
Virulence factors of S. pyogenes (Group A)
- Protein F, Protein M
- DNase, hyaluronidase, streptokinase, Streptolysin O, Streptolysin S
- erythrogenic toxins, capsule
mediates epithelial cell attachment
Protein F
- in the cell wall, blocks opsonization
- helps avoid phagocytosis, essential for virulence
Protein M
- causes beta hemolysis
- inactivated by oxidation (elicits ASO production)
Streptolysin O
- causes beta hemolysis
- not inactivated by oxidation, leucocidin activity
Streptolysin S
Erythrogenic toxins produced by S. pyogenes
- produces erythematous reaction (coded in viral DNA and integrated in bacteria by lysogeny)
- causes rash of Scarlet fever and multisystem disease
Transmission of S. pyogenes
- normal skin and oropharynx flora
- causes infection when tissues are penetrated
- aerosol spread of infection (person-to-person)
Clinical infections associated with S. pyogenes
skin infections, impetigo, erysipelas (red rash on face), cellulitis, puerperal fever, necrotizing fasciatus, pharyngitis, pharyngitis with scarlet fever
Complications with Strep. pyogenes (Group A)
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, Post-streptococcal acute Rheumatic fever, Post-streptococcal acute glomerular nephritis
multisystem involvement presenting with rash, diarrhea, renal and respiratory problems
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome
- cross-reaction with heart antigens after strep pharyngitis resolves; no group A strep present
- symptoms: migratory arthritis, subcutaneous nodules, carditis and erythema marginatum
- can lead to rheumatic heart disease
Post-streptococcal acute rheumatic fever
- occurs after strep pharyngitis or skin infection; no group A strep present
- deposits of strep antigen-antibody complex deposit in the kidneys and damage glomeruli
- symptoms: facial edema, blood and protein in urine
Post-streptococcal acute glomerular nephritis
Identification of S. pyogenes (Group A)
- falcultative, extracellular, gram-positive, may chain
- grow on SBA and CA, not on MacConkey
- small, white colonies; beta hemolysis
- non-motile, hyaluronic acid capsule
S. pyogenes (Group A) ID tests
catalase negative, beta hemolytic, PYR positive, CAMP negative, Bile esculin negative, Group A, Bacitracin susceptible, SXT resistant, no growth in 6.5% NaCl, latex agglutination
Other S. pyogenes tests
commercial particle agglutination tests, immunoassays, nucleic acid probes (PCR and DNA probes)
Virulence factors of S. agalactiae (Group B) strep
capsule, sialic acid for inhibiting complement, hemolysin, CAMP factor, DNases, hyaluronidase, protease
Transmission of S. agalactiae (Group B) strep
- normal GU flora, sometimes respiratory
- vertical transmission at birth or in utero, nosocomial (meningitis), in unpasteurized bovine milk
Invasive disease in newborns
- caused by Group B strep (agalactiae)
- early onset usually caused by vertical transmission (< 7 days after birth), results in premature birth, pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia
- late onset causes meningitis (1-12 weeks old)
Endometritis and endocarditis
- caused by Group B strep
- to mothers after childbirth or abortion
S. agalactiae (Group B) infections
- immunodeficiency in elderly people
- treated with ampicillin