Bio220 Microbiology Chapter 18 Vocabulary Wallace Community College

Necrotizing fasciitis

caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria (same type of bacteria that causes strep throat); bacteria infect the layer of connective tissue below the skin

staphylococci

Gram-positive, spherical cells arranged in irregular clusters, lack spores and flagella; normal flora of the skin and mucous membranes

Group B Streptococcus

resides in human vagina, pharynx, and large intestine and can be transferred to infant during delivery and cause severe infection and cause of neonatal pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis

Neisseria meningitidis

bacteria enter bloodstream, cross the blood-brain barrier, permeate the meninges, and grow in the cerebrospinal fluid; very rapid onset; neurological symptoms

MRSA

methicillin-resistant S. aureus that carry multiple resistance to antibiotics; the abscesses have to be surgically perforated and systemic infections require intensive lengthy therapy (vancomycin)

Streptococcus pyogens

Beta-hemolytic; a serious streptococcal pathogen which acts as a strict parasite; found in throat, nasopharynx, occasionally skin

rheumatic fever

follows subclinical pharyngitis by Group A Strep in children; carditis occurs with extensive valve damage possible, arthritis, fever

VRSA

a hugely virulent form of S. aureus that does not respond to vancomycin

Streptococcus pneumonia

Causes 60-70% of all bacterial pneumonias and otitis media; all pathogenic strains form large capsules; multiply and induce an overwhelming inflammatory response in the lungs; seen in children, elderly, immune compromised

coagulase- negative staphylocci

a large proportion of healthcare-associated, nosocomial infections, and opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients that lead to wound infections by penetrating through broken skin; S. epidermidis, S. capitis, S. saprophyticus

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

has fimbriae to slow phagocytosis; strictly a human infection causing one of the top 5 STDs; in males, yellowish discharge, scarring, and infertility; in females, (PID) cause of sterility and ectopic tubal pregnancies

subacute endocarditis

Blood-borne, Alpha-hemolytic Streptococci settle and grow on heart lining or valves

petechiae

pinpoint, round spots of lesions that appear on the skin as a result of bleeding

osteomyelitis

infection is established in the metaphysis as an abscess forms in the bone tissue

streptococci

Gram-positive, spherical (ovoid) cocci arranged in long chains or commonly in pairs; non-motile, facultative anaerobes; do not form catalase

Alpha-hemolytic streptococci

Most numerous and widespread residents of the gums and teeth, oral cavity, and also found in nasopharynx, genital tract, skin; dental or surgical procedures facilitate entrance; S. salivarus

streptococcus mutans

produce slime layers that adhere to teeth to form plaque and cause dental caries; preexisting heart conditions should receive prophylactic antibiotics before surgery or dental procedures

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS)

a toxin of Staph induces bright red flush, blisters, then desquamation (flaking) of the epidermis occurs

scarlet fever

strain of S. pyogenes carrying a prophage that codes for an erythrogenic toxin; can lead to sequelae

impetigo

caused by S. pyogenes; superficial lesions that break open and form highly contagious crust particles; seen in school children, associated with insect bites, poor hygiene, and crowded living conditions