MICRO 18

Staphylococcus

A genus of Gram-positive bacteria that typically organize in clusters, are catalase positive, and coccus shaped.

Streptococcus

A genus of Gram-positive bacteria that are catalase negative, coccus shaped, and typically arrange in chains.

Neisseria

A genus of Gram-negative bacteria characterized by their coccus shape.

Coagulase Test

A test used to differentiate species of Staphylococcus; Staphylococcus aureus is positive, while Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus are negative.

Staphylococcus aureus

A strain of Staphylococcus commonly found on the skin and anterior nares, known for its virulence factors including capsule, enterotoxin, exfoliative toxin, and toxic shock syndrome toxin.

Capsule (in bacteria)

A virulence factor that aids in biofilm formation and helps bacteria colonize medical equipment.

Folliculitis

A superficial inflammation at the hair follicle caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Furuncle

A deeper inflammation of a hair follicle which can lead to a pustule.

Carbuncle

Clusters of furuncles leading to deeper lesions that can be fatal in severe cases.

Impetigo

Bubble-like swellings caused by Staphylococcus aureus that break and peel away, commonly seen in newborns.

MRSA

A strain of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to penicillin due to the production of penicillinase.

Staphylococcus epidermidis

A coagulase negative strain that resides on the skin and can form biofilms on medical devices.

Staphylococcus saprophyticus

A coagulase negative strain that can cause urinary tract infections, particularly in sexually active women.

Streptococcus agalactiae

A beta-hemolytic species commonly screened in pregnant women to prevent transmission to newborns.

Streptococcus pyogenes

A beta-hemolytic species known for causing infections like strep throat, and characterized by virulence factors including capsule and streptolysin.

Acute glomerulonephritis

A kidney condition that can result from sequelae of strep throat infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes.

Rheumatic fever

A serious sequelae of strep throat infection that affects the heart and can lead to endocarditis.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

An alpha-hemolytic species responsible for diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, and sinusitis.

Viridans Group

A group of alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus species, including Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus mutans, that are normally found in the oral cavity and associated with dental caries or cause endocarditis.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

A species of Neisseria causing gonorrhea, characterized by discharge and potential complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease.

Neisseria meningitidis

A bacterium that produces endotoxin, commonly associated with bacterial meningitis.

Acinetobacter baumannii

A bacterium associated with drug resistance and originally isolated from bed sore infections.