Diseases of the Skin Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about skin diseases.

Vesicle

Small, fluid-filled blister.

Abscess

Localized collection of pus surrounded by inflammation.

Cellulitis

Skin infection due to bacteria; characterized by redness or inflammation.

Myositis

Inflammation of skeletal muscles.

Necrotizing fasciitis

Inflammation and death of tissue surrounding muscles, tissues, and/or skin (fascia).

Coagulase

Produces clots and blocks infiltration of leukocytes.

Exfoliative toxin

Separates layers of the epidermis.

Hyaluronidase

Dissolves the hyaluronic acid component of connective tissue, allowing infection to penetrate deeper tissue.

Protein A

Binds to the Fc portion of antibodies and inhibits phagocytosis.

Toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST)

Superantigen that causes toxic shock syndrome.

Folliculitis

Small red bump, some pus, associated with hair follicle infections.

Furuncle (boil)

Larger area of hair follicle infection; infection penetrated deeper into subcutaneous tissues; pus produced.

Carbuncle

Large area of hair follicle infection with multiple drainage areas; commonly associated with systemic symptoms.

Cellulitis

Infection of the dermis & hypodermis.

Staphylococcus aureus

Causative Agent for Scalded Skin Syndrome

Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS)

Causative Agent for Flesh Eating Disease

Exotoxin A

Superantigen that can cause shock, produced by streptococcus

M protein

It prevents activation of complement & inhibits phagocytosis; when shed from bacteria it forms a complex with fibrinogen that activates WBC’s leading to streptococcal TSS

Streptokinase

Dissolves blood clots

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)

Causative Agent for Chickenpox & Shingles (Zoster Disease)

Valtrex/Acyclovir/Aciclovir

Antiviral medication for shingles that interferes with DNA Polymerases of viruses in Herpesvirus family and Inhibits viral replication

Varivax

Live, attenuated vaccine to prevent chickenpox

Zostavax

Acts as “booster shot” for adults, Contains Live, attenuated VZV- Stronger version of Varivax vaccine (14 times more potent)

Shingrix

Subunit Vaccine for Shingles, contains part of viral spike

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Causative agent: common infection causing opportunistic pathogen of burn patients and cystic fibrosis patients, also hot tub dermatitis and otitis externa

Exotoxin A

Causes necrosis of tissues (premature cellular death), produced by pseudomonas

Pyocyanin

Toxin that makes a blue-green soluble pigment