Sketchy Microbiology: Staphylococcus Epidermidis and Staphylococcus Saprophyticus

Beauty and the Plumber – Staphylococcus Epidermidis and Staphylococcus Saprophyticus

Hint: Curtains

Violet Color – Gram Positive

(Both S. Epidermidis and S. Saprophyticus)

Smooth Jell-O – Coagulase negative

(Both S. Epidermidis and S. Saprophyticus)

Ammonia Bottle – Urease Positive

(Both S. Epidermidis and S. Saprophyticus)

Cat – Catalase Positive

(Both S. Epidermidis and S. Saprophyticus)

Plumber + Hardware + Purple Tools – Staphylococcus Epidermidis

(Gram Positive)

Hardware / Plumbing – Infects artificial joints or artificial valves

Tubing – Catheter tubes, Indwelling catheters are common places of infections

Heart Shaped Valves – Infection of artificial heart implants —> endocarditis

Gunk on pipes and valves – produces biofilms that stick to sleek metal and plastic surfaces

(The “gunk” are polysaccharides that protect it from antibiotics and immune cells)

Dirt on the plumber – S. Epidermidis is part of normal Skin Flora

Petri dish with blood dripping in – common to have contamination of blood cultures

Plumber’s Belly button is showing – Novobiocin Sensitive

(Novo ←→ Navel) (Sensitive bc its exposed)

Young lady on the counter w/ a drink – Staphylococcus Saprophyticus

Belly button is covered – Novobiocin Resistant

Bladder Shaped Drink – Common cause of UTI’s in Sexually Active Females

Van – Vancomycin

(Antibiotic used to treat endocarditis caused by S. Epidermidis)