Streptococcus & Enterococcus

Question 1

What is Streptococccus?

Answer 1

Gram +, aerobic, catalase neg. cocci

Chaines in clinical samples

Question 2

What is the habitat for Streptococcus?

Answer 2

Commensals of mucous membranes of humans and animals (not usually skin)

Question 3

What is a key point of a streptococcal infection?

Answer 3

May be endogenous or exogenous, including species present as either commensals or in a carrier state, and some are contagious

Question 4

Are Beta hemolytic streptococci pyogenic?

Answer 4

Yes, generally

Question 5

Are non-hemolytic or alpha hemolytic streptococci pyogenic?

Answer 5

No, non-pyogenic

Question 6

What is the key point about pathogenic streptococci?

Answer 6

Tend to be host-adapted, and cause extracellular infections including septicemias, throat and adjacent lymph node infections, and pneumonias

Question 7

What are the virulence factors of pyogenic streptococci?

Answer 7

Capsule, antiphagocytic

Anti-complementary surface proteins

Lytic enzymes

Toxins

Superantigens (Strep. TSS)

Question 8

What causes strangles in horses?

Answer 8

S. equi subsp. equi

Question 9

What is strangles?

Answer 9

Abscess formation in regional lymph nodes in head and neck

REPORTABLE

Question 10

What are some characteristics of S. equi?

Answer 10

Beta hemolytic, Group C

Marked mucoid appearance due to abundant hyaluronic acid capsule

Question 11

What are important factors about S. equi infection?

Answer 11

Contagious upper respiratory tract disease with abscess formation

Equids are only known hosts

Question 12

What are 2 important S. equi virulence factors?

Answer 12

1. Hyaluronic acid capsule

2. M protein

Question 13

What are some clinical signs of S. equi?

Answer 13

CS appear 3-14 days after exposure

Fever, depression, anorexia, dysphagia, most cough, purulent nasal discharge

Question 14

What are 2 major potential complications of S. equi?

Answer 14

1. Bastard strangles/disseminated infection

2. Purpura hemorrhagica/immune complex mediated vasculitis

Question 15

What is guttural pouch empyema?

Answer 15

Accumulation of purulent material in guttural pouch

Usually secondary to upper respiratory infection

Question 16

What are guttural pouch chondroids?

Answer 16

Accumulation of soft or hard concretions in one or both guttural pouches, associated with chronic empyema

Question 17

What are 4 types of carriers for S. equi?

Answer 17

1. Incubatory
2. Clinical
3. Convalescent
4. Long term

Question 18

What is an incubatory carrier?

Answer 18

Nasal shedding begins 4-7 days after exposure w/or w/out clinically evident nasal discharge

Question 19

What is a clinical carrier?

Answer 19

Shedding from affected sites; nasal, pharynx, lymph nodes, guttural pouch

Question 20

What is a convalescent carrier?

Answer 20

Nasal shedding for up to 6 weeks after recovery

Question 21

What is a long term carrier?

Answer 21

5-7 months or more, mostly from guttural pouch

Question 22

What are 3 ways to DX S. equi?

Answer 22

1. Culture
2. Serology (not widely used)
3. PCR

Question 23

How would you treat symptomatic animals with a S. equi infection?

Answer 23

TX to relieve pain and hasten recovery

Question 24

How effective are antibiotics in TX of S. equi infections?

Answer 24

Only effective if given soon after exposure and before abscess formation

Question 25

When do infected animals usually recover from S. equi infection?

Answer 25

Usually after abscesses mature and rupture

Question 26

Is S. equi reportable?

Answer 26

Yes, reportable in many states

Question 27

What are 2 vaccines used for S. equi?

Answer 27

1. Killed S. equi vaccines | 2. Live, intranasal S. equi vaccine

Question 28

What is a killed S. equi vaccine used for?

Answer 28

Used in pregnant mares and foals to maintain high levels of anti M protein opsonizing antibodies

Question 29

What is a live attenuated S. equi vaccine used for?

Answer 29

Used to stimulated mucosal immunity & serum opsonization antibodies

Question 30

What is pyogenic streptococci?

Answer 30

Beta-hemolytic strepococci from animals; can cause disease in humans occasionally

Question 31

What is mastitis in animals caused by?

Answer 31

Streptococcus agalactiae

Question 32

What is important about S. agalactiae?

Answer 32

Obligate parasite of mammary gland of cows Infected cows are reservoir for infections Contagious

Question 33

What kind of host range does S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus?

Answer 33

Broad host range

Question 34

What kind of pathogen is S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus?

Answer 34

Opportunist pathogen

Question 35

What kind of infections does S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus cause?

Answer 35

Purulent infections in animals, upper respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, assesses, wounds, UTI, mastitis, foal septicemia etc.

Question 36

What is S. pyogenes: Group A streptococcus?

Answer 36

Flesh eating bacteria

Question 37

What group does Streptococcus canis belong to?

Answer 37

Group G streptococcus

Question 38

Is Streptococcus canis a commensal?

Answer 38

Yes, of skin & mucous membrane (especially in reproductive tract)

Question 39

What can S. canis infect?

Answer 39

Vaginal or umbilical vein > peritoneal cavity, liver > bacteremia

Question 40

What kind of lesions does S. canis cause?

Answer 40

Septicemia and embolic lesions in heart and lung

Question 41

What kind of clinical signs are seen with S. canis?

Answer 41

Skinulcerations, chronic respiratory infection, necrotizing sinusitis and meningitis, necrotizing fasciitis w/skin ulcerations, TSS, sepsis, death

Question 42

What animals are affected by S. canis?

Answer 42

Kittens and puppies

Question 43

What animals are usually associated with S. suis?

Answer 43

Pigs

Question 44

Who is affected by S. iniae?

Answer 44

Fish

Question 45

What is newly recognized in S. iniae?

Answer 45

Zoonosis from fish

Question 46

What kind of strains are there for S. iniae?

Answer 46

Both virulent and commensal strains

Question 47

What is S. porcinus?

Answer 47

Jowl abscess in pigs

Question 48

What is S. pneumoniae?

Answer 48

Pneumoccocal pneumonia, septicemia and meningitis in humans Pneumonia in guinea pigs and rodents Domestic pets can act as carriers

Question 49

What is the Viridans group of Streptococcus?

Answer 49

A huge group that does not react with Lancefield grouping sera

Question 50

How is Neonatal septicemia in foals treated?

Answer 50

Require colostrum

Question 51

What would pyogenic Streptococci be treated with?

Answer 51

Penicillin G

Question 52

What are Enterococci?

Answer 52

Normal intestinal flora Low grade pathogens, true opportunists

Question 53

What kind of infections do Enterococci cause?

Answer 53

Mastitis, would infections, UTI, secondary infections, Nosocomial infections

Question 54

Why do some Enterococci species have emerging importance?

Answer 54

Because of nosocomial infections and innate resistance to antimicrobial drugs