Lecture Notes on Staphylococcus and Related Infections

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to Staphylococcus and its clinical implications.

Staphylococcus

A genus of gram-positive bacteria known for forming irregular clusters resembling grapes.

Coagulase

An enzyme that causes coagulation of blood; significant for identifying Staphylococcus aureus.

Catalase-positive

Bacteria that produce the enzyme catalase, which decomposes hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen; characteristic of Staphylococcus.

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)

A toxin produced by some strains of Staphylococcus aureus that can damage leukocytes and is often linked to severe skin infections.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

A strain of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to methicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics.

Abscess

A localized collection of pus in tissues, commonly caused by bacterial infections like those from Staphylococcus aureus.

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)

A severe illness characterized by fever, rash, and multiple organ dysfunction caused by strains of Staphylococcus that produce enterotoxins and superantigens.

Enterotoxin

A toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus that can cause food poisoning, characterized by acute vomiting and diarrhea.

Small-colony variants (SCVs)

A subpopulation of bacteria that grow slowly and exhibit distinctive traits, linked to persistent infections.

Clinical findings of Staphylococcus infections

Varied syndromes including skin infections, pneumonia, and endocarditis, often diagnosed by culture and biochemical tests.