Microbial Diseases of the Skin, Nervous, and Systemic Systems

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to microbial diseases affecting the skin, nervous system, and systemic systems.

Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS)

A condition where the outer epidermis separates, leading to reddening, wrinkling, and large blisters filled with clear fluid lacking bacteria or white blood cells.

Exfoliative Toxins

Toxins secreted by some strains of Staphylococcus aureus that cause Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS).

Impetigo

A contagious skin infection common in children, characterized by red, flat patches becoming pus-filled vesicles and forming thick, honey-colored crusts.

Erysipelas

A serious skin infection that spreads to lymph nodes, causing pain, inflammation, reddened skin with defined edges, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and elevated white blood cells.

M Protein

A virulence factor of Streptococcus pyogenes that inhibits complement activation and blocks phagocytosis.

Hyaluronic Acid Capsule

A virulence factor of Streptococcus pyogenes that camouflages the bacterium from immune cells.

Pyrogenic Toxins

Virulence factors that trigger cytokine release, causing fever, rash, and possibly shock.

Mupirocin

A topical medication used to treat impetigo.

Clindamycin or Amoxicillin

Oral medications used to treat impetigo.

Penicillin

The treatment of choice for erysipelas.

Acne

A skin condition primarily caused by Propionibacterium acnes, characterized by inflammation of sebaceous glands and hair follicles.

Propionibacterium acnes

A gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that thrives in sebaceous glands and is a common causative agent of acne.

Topical Benzoyl Peroxide

An acne treatment that exfoliates dead skin, kills bacteria, and reduces skin oil.

Topical Retinoids (e.g., Retinoic Acid/Accutane)

Acne treatments that inhibit sebum production, typically used for severe cases.

Oral Antibiotics (Doxycycline)

An acne treatment that concentrates in skin secretions to combat bacteria.

UVA Light Therapy

A non-chemical treatment for acne that can reduce acne by 60% with two 15-minute sessions per week for four weeks.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

An opportunistic pathogen found in various environments, particularly dangerous for burn victims and cystic fibrosis patients due to its resistance to antimicrobial agents.

Pyocyanin

A blue-green pigment produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in infected tissue.

Cutaneous Anthrax

A skin infection caused by Bacillus anthracis, characterized by a painless black eschar (ulcer) with a swollen margin.

Bacillus anthracis

A Gram-positive, spore-forming bacillus that causes cutaneous anthrax.

Ciprofloxacin

The preferred treatment for cutaneous anthrax.

Poxvirus

A type of DNA virus, with Smallpox (Variola virus) being the most significant human poxvirus.

Macules

Flat, red spots that are the first stage of lesions/rashes caused by poxvirus infections.

Papules

Raised, red sores that are the second stage of lesions/rashes caused by poxvirus infections.

Vesicles

Fluid-filled blisters on the skin.

Pustules (Pox)

Pus-filled lesions that can scar as part of poxvirus infection symptom.

Warts (Papilloma)

Usually painless skin growths caused by papillomavirus.

Papillomavirus

Causative agent of warts that infects cutaneous or mucosal tissues.

Chickenpox & Shingles

Viral diseases caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV).

Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV)

A herpesvirus that causes chickenpox (varicella) in children and shingles (herpes zoster) in adults.

Bacterial Meningitis

Inflammatory bacterial infection of the meninges, commonly the pia mater and arachnoid mater.

Classic Triad of Bacterial Meningitis

Fever, severe headache, stiff neck.

Petechiae

Small, dark purple skin spots specific for meningococcal meningitis.

Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)

Diagnostic procedure for bacterial meningitis involving analysis of cerebrospinal fluid.

Ceftriaxone or Vancomycin

Immediate empiric antibiotic therapy for bacterial meningitis.

Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy)

A chronic bacterial infection affecting the skin, mucous membranes, and nerves, caused by Mycobacterium leprae.

Mycobacterium Leprae

The causative agent of Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy)

Tuberculoid Leprosy

A non-progressive form of Hansen’s disease (Leprosy).

Lepromatous Leprosy

A progressive form of Hansen’s disease (Leprosy) leading to disfigurement.

Rifampin, Clofazimine, and Dapsone

Treatments for Hansen's Disease (Leprosy)

Botulism

A rare but serious paralytic disease caused by botulinum toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum.

Clostridium Botulinum

A Gram-positive, anaerobic, endospore-forming bacillus that causes botulism.

Foodborne Botulism

Botulism caused by ingestion of preformed toxin in contaminated food.

Infant Botulism

Botulism caused by ingestion of C. botulinum spores, resulting in colonization of the infant’s gut.

tetanospasmin

Neurotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani that causes tetanus.

Clostridium Tetani

Causative agent of tetanus, producing tetanospasmin.

Tetanus

A serious, potentially fatal disease caused by the neurotoxin tetanospasmin, produced by Clostridium tetani, commonly known as 'lockjaw.'

Lockjaw (Trismus)

Tightening of jaw and neck muscles, an initial symptom of Tetanus

Penicillin or Metronidazole

Antibiotics used to treat tetanus.

Tetanus Toxoid Vaccine

Vaccine used to stimulate antibody production against tetanus.