Unit 7A Flashcards
Describe staphylococcus
Gram positive
Cocci in Grape like clusters
Facultative anaerobes (can grow with or without oxygen)
Produces capsules and slime layers
Catalase positive (has the enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide)
Examples of diseases of staphylococcus
S. aureus
MRSA
S. intermedius
What are some exotoxins that staphylococcus produce
Hemolysin (damage RBCs and hemoglobin) (most have some degree of hemolysis)
Coagulase (binds to fibrin and causes clotting, helps bacteria to hide and resist phagocytosis. Also causes pus to thicken)
Where is staphylococcus commonly found
In the nevironment and in hospital settings (nosocomial) and in normal flora
The slime layer staphylococcus produce allow
Bacteria to form biofilms
Where is staphylococcus commonly found on the body (normal flora)
Skin and mucus membranes (skin, eyes, ears, respiratory tract, urogenital tract, GI tract)
Staphylococcus is primarily opprotunistic , this means
Disease only occurs when natural barriers are compromised (trauma to skin/mucosa, or inflammation)
What is the number one cause of mastitis in dairy cows
Staphylococcus aureus
Can also be caused by S. intermedius or S. epidermidis
Mastitis is an opprotunistic infection and occurs when there is
Poor herd management Poor hygiene Stress during 3rd trimester pregnancy, or gestation Changes in diet Lactation
Describe chronic subclinical mastitis due to S. aureus
Difficult to identify and treat
Milk and cow is normal/healthy on PE
Decreased total milk yield
Increased somatic cell count in milk, or low levels of bacteria in milk
Can be infected for months or years
Why can you not emilimate S. aureus mastitis
Ubiquitous
Part of normal flora
Resistant to drying -survuves weeks in environment
Resistant to extreme cold and pasteurization
Can survive in 12% NaCl or 1% phenol for up to 15 minutes
Some strains have antibiotic resistance
How can you prevent mastitis
Maintain milk equipment Better milking practices (teat dripping) Fly control Nutritional management Calving management Screening for chronically infected cows and removing the from the herd
What is MRSA
methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Resistant to methicillin (antibiotic)
Can be acquired from the community or hospitals depending on the strain
What is methicillin
A semisynthetic derivative of penicillin used against bacteria that are resistant to penicillin but then bacterial resistance to methicillin developed
Why is hospital acquired MRSA difficult to treat
Because it is resistant to a wide range if different antibiotic classes
Common in skin and ear infections in vet clinics
Patient must be isolated to prevent spread
What is community acquired MRSA
Up to 2% of the human population carries MRSA in normal flora
Has limited antobiotic resistance (mostly to beta-lactam class)
Immunocompromised individuals develop a mild illness but is difficult to treat
How do you prevent MRSA
Testing before using antibiotics and only use antibiotics when needed
Autoclave materials
Hand washing
What is staphylococcus intermedius pyoderma
Common in dogs, part of their normal flora
Is an opprotunistic infection
The opprotunistic infection of staphylococcus intermedius pyoderma occurs with
Allergies (food) (atopy - allergy materials)
Skin parasites
Immunosuppression