HSS 1100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Staphylococcus Epidermidis, Opportunistic Infection, Necrotizing Fasciitis

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Health Sciences
• Course: HSS 1100
• Professor: William Yan

Document Summary

Cocci means sphere or round shaped cells, this is referring to individual cells, not what the colony looks like. Viridens streptococci- non typeable streptococci, normal flora in mouth. Made up by almost all pathogenic staphylococci. Used in alb tests to differentiate from s. epidermis, s. capitis and s. saprophyticus. Only s. aureus produces coagulase, used to identify it in the lab if you test for coagulase: beta- lactamase (penicillinase) Destroys penicillin, gives s. aureus its resistance to penicillin. Many s. aureus strans are found in normal population (~15%), pretty common cause of hospital infections. Carried in anterior nares, axilla, perineum and hands. Problems: 85-90% of strains isolated in hospital are penicillin resistant, common symptoms caused by s. aureus: localized purulent infections (pustules, boils, styes, conjunctivitis, otitis, etc, could progress to: pneumonia, osteomyelitis, septicaemia, endocarditis, food poisoning, tss, scalded skin syndrome. How do you contain it: preventative measures include: Aseptic technique in er and or, owund precaution.