Staphylococcus Species Overview

SSTIs, conjunctivitis, impetigo, rashes, food poisoning, infective endocarditis, UTIs, toxic shock syndrome, osteomyelitis, and community-acquired pneumonia

Skin infections, biofilm on IV catheters, UTIs, and infective endocarditis, which is usually more of a risk for patients with IV drugs or any device that punctures skin.

Gold/yellow colored, convex, 2 micrometer colonies on NAM

White, convex, 2 micrometer colonies on NAM

Gram-positive cocci in clusters

Gram-positive cocci in clusters

Fermenting (yellow color)

Positive (bubbles formed)

A method to separate particles based on their travel time through a chamber. Larger particles take longer.

Infections caused by Staphylococcus bacteria, often treated by draining infected areas and using antibiotics like penicillins and cephalosporins.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus – a strain of staph bacteria resistant to many common antibiotics.

MRSA infections acquired in healthcare settings.

A type of Streptococcus bacteria causing strep throat, skin infections, and potentially severe conditions like necrotizing fasciitis.

A type of Streptococcus causing pneumonia, meningitis, and other respiratory infections.

A bacteria that causes cholera, a severe diarrheal illness.

A bacteria often causing food poisoning. Can lead to serious complications.

A bacteria that can cause ulcers and gastritis in the stomach.

A bacteria causing syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection that can be harmful if left untreated.

A technique used to distinguish bacteria with different cell wall structures.

Growth medium used to observe the hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells) caused by bacteria.

Selective and differential medium for Vibrio cholerae. Allows the differentiation of vibrios by noticing yellow/no color colonies based on carbohydrate fermentation.

Growing bacteria in controlled conditions for identification and testing.

Drugs that fight bacterial infections.

Treponema pallidum, a spirochete bacterium.

Primary, secondary, and tertiary, each with distinct symptoms.

Typically diagnosed by identifying spirochetes in lesions using darkfield microscopy.

Appear as black spirals against a yellow background using Dieterle stain.

Intravenous penicillin, administered in four doses for late latent stages.

Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete bacterium.

Bullseye rash, flu-like symptoms, facial paralysis, arthritis, palpitations.

Doxycycline, tetracycline, amoxicillin, or cephalosporins, typically in high doses for a long period.

Influenzavirus, an RNA virus with HA and NA antigens on its envelope.

Fever, chills, headache, cough, and respiratory problems. Mainly affects children.

PCR for virus-specific sequences or IFA for antigen detection.

Amantadine for type A, neuraminidase inhibitors, and vaccination are important preventative measures.

Cold symptoms, mild pneumonia, gastrointestinal problems, conjunctivitis, and UTIs.

Cultured in cells, PCR or serological tests for antibodies.

HSV1-2, VZV, CMV, HV6-7, KS, and EBV cause various diseases, from cold sores to mononucleosis.

A parasitic protozoan that causes balantidiasis, a rare infection primarily found in tropical regions.

A parasitic infection caused by Balantidium coli, typically affecting the gastrointestinal tract.

A common parasitic protozoan that causes giardiasis, an intestinal infection.

An intestinal infection caused by Giardia intestinalis, characterized by cramps, diarrhea, and 'eggy' breath.

A parasitic roundworm that can cause intestinal obstruction and malabsorption.

An antibiotic used to treat anaerobic infections like those caused by Giardia and Balantidium.

A fungal infection caused by Aspergillus fumigatus that can affect the lungs based on the patient's immune status.

A non-disseminating form of aspergillosis that occurs in patients with pre-existing lung damage and involves an allergic reaction to Aspergillus fumigatus.

A non-disseminating form of aspergillosis in patients with lung cavities, characterized by asymptomatic periods and occasional blood-stained sputum.

A life-threatening form of aspergillosis that occurs in immunocompromised patients, characterized by rapid lung infection and potential spread to other organs.

A culture medium used to grow fungi, including Aspergillus fumigatus.

The active, motile stage of a protozoan parasite.

An antiparasitic drug used to treat Taeniasis, a tapeworm infection.

An antiparasitic drug used to treat Taeniasis, a tapeworm infection.

Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox, a highly contagious disease characterized by a distinctive rash of fluid-filled vesicles.

The varicella rash starts as red, flat spots (macules) that progress to raised bumps (papules) before developing into clear, fluid-filled blisters (vesicles). These lesions spread over the body.

Shingles is a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in adulthood, typically causing a painful, blistering rash confined to a single dermatome (area innervated by a single nerve).

Shingles symptoms include prodromal pain or numbness, followed by a characteristic rash that mimics chickenpox but is limited to a specific dermatome. It can be debilitating, even without the rash.

Diagnosis often involves a combination of symptoms and a physical exam. Samples from the rash (vesicle fluid or lesion swab) may be collected for viral testing.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common, especially in daycare or during nursing. It usually causes no symptoms in healthy adults, but can lead to mononucleosis-like symptoms or serious problems in immunocompromised people.

Diagnosis involves identifying the virus in samples like urine, saliva, blood, or tissue biopsies. Tests include cultures, PCR, and antibody detection.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known for causing infectious mononucleosis (mono), but it can also cause other diseases, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

The 'triad' of fever, cervical lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes in the neck), and sore throat is typically seen in infectious mononucleosis.

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical signs and laboratory tests, including blood smears, antibody tests, and sometimes PCR.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite. It is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that affects millions of people worldwide.

Malaria typically presents with a cyclical pattern of chills, fever, and sweating, known as a malarial paroxysm. Symptoms can vary depending on the species of Plasmodium involved.

Diagnosis usually involves a blood smear to directly visualize the Plasmodium parasite in red blood cells. Rapid diagnostic tests and PCR can also be used.

Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba that can cause a rare but fatal brain infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) when it enters the body through the nose.

Patients with PAM usually develop severe headaches, delirium, and seizures due to increased intracranial pressure caused by the amoeba's presence in the brain.

A fungus that normally lives in the human body without causing harm, but can become infectious in immunocompromised individuals, leading to candidiasis.

An infection caused by Candida albicans, occurring in various forms like oropharyngeal, skin, or vaginal candidiasis, depending on the site of infection.

An infection caused by Candida albicans primarily affecting the surface of the body, including the mouth, skin, or vagina.

A fungal infection affecting the mouth and throat caused by Candida albicans, characterized by visible white plaques on the roof of the mouth or esophagus.

A fungal infection affecting the skin, typically occurring in warm, moist areas with compromised skin integrity.

A common fungal infection affecting the vagina, characterized by red, itchy area with whitish discharge.

A serious fungal infection where Candida albicans spreads beyond the surface, affecting internal organs and potentially leading to blood stream infections (candidemia).

A fungus that can cause lung infections (pulmonary cryptococcosis) and severe meningitis, primarily affecting individuals with compromised immune systems, especially HIV patients.

A type of meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans/ gatti, characterized by headaches, delirium, nausea, coma, and low-grade fever.

A large, giant-cell form of Cryptococcus neoformans/ gatti found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with cryptococcal meningitis.

Administering treatment based on educated guesswork, prior to a definitive diagnosis, especially in time-critical situations with high mortality rates.

An antifungal medication frequently used for treating invasive fungal infections, including candidiasis and aspergillosis.

A powerful antifungal medication administered intravenously (IV), widely used for treating serious fungal infections including cryptococcal meningitis.

A group of antifungal medications that target fungal cell walls, commonly used to treat candidiasis but ineffective against Cryptococcus neoformans/ gatti.