30 Questions
Which bacteria are the focus of the lecture?
Streptococcus and Staphylococcus
Which bacteria can destroy tissue as fast as surgeons can cut it out?
Streptococcus pyogenes
Which bacteria is known as 'flesh-eating'?
Streptococcus
Which bacteria is associated with the term 'superantigen'?
Staphylococcus
Which bacteria is known for its virulence factor protein A?
Staphylococcus
Which bacteria is associated with the term 'biofilms' in pathogenesis?
Streptococcus
Which bacteria is known for its exotoxins as virulence factors?
Staphylococcus
Which bacteria belongs to the non-sporulating Gram+ bacteria group?
Staphylococcus
Which bacteria is known for causing a panic due to an unexplained proliferation of cases?
Streptococcus pyogenes
Which bacteria can manifest a number of different diseases as generalist pathogens?
Streptococcus and Staphyylococcus
What is the cause of Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS)?
Strains of S. aureus carrying a gene for exfoliative toxin
What is the potential consequence of superantigens stimulating T cells?
Circulatory shock and multiorgan failure
What is the role of coagulase-negative staphylococci compared to S. aureus?
Less virulent and express fewer virulence factors
What is a characteristic of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Canadian pig farms?
Widely common, found in pigs, and pig farmers
What is the effect of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms on medical devices and implants?
Inhibiting neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and antimicrobial agents
What is the potential consequence of harboring Staphylococcal diseases in immunocompromised individuals?
Disease in almost every organ and tissue
What are examples of superantigens mentioned in the text?
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B and the toxin causing toxic shock syndrome
What is the role of superantigens in stimulating the immune response?
Tricking T cells into activation and leading to nonspecific T cell proliferation
What is the potential consequence of S. aureus creating biofilms on medical devices and implants?
Inhibiting neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and antimicrobial agents
What is the concern raised about Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) found in Ontario pigs and pig farmers?
Strain common to human MRSA, raising concerns about animal agriculture as a source of the deadly bacteria
Which virulence factor of Streptococcus pyogenes acts as a superantigen and causes tissue destruction, inflammation, and death?
Pyrogenic (erythrogenic) toxin
Which disease associated with Streptococcus pyogenes results in a rash and is treated with penicillin?
Scarlet fever
Which substance secreted by Streptococcus pyogenes dissolves clots, facilitating rapid growth and invasion?
Streptokinase
Which disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes primarily affects children aged 5-15 and spreads through saliva or nasal secretions?
Streptococcal pharyngitis
Which disease is a rare, rapidly spreading infection of the skin and deeper tissues, with high mortality rates, requiring surgical and antibiotic treatment?
Necrotising fasciitis
Which disease starts as a flat sore on the skin, develops pus, and crusting, and progresses to impetigo?
Streptococcal pyoderma
Which streptococcal disease is similar to necrotising fasciitis but also results in organ failure and shock, necessitating intensive care, surgical care, and antibiotic therapy?
Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome
What is the mortality rate of the flesh-eating disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes?
Up to 25%
Which Gram classification does Streptococcus pyogenes belong to?
Gram-positive
Who was the famous individual whose death was attributed to Streptococcus pyogenes in 1990?
Jim Henson
Study Notes
Streptococcus Pyogenes: Bacteria and Diseases
- Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as Group A streptococcus, has gained media attention for causing a flesh-eating disease with a mortality rate of up to 25%.
- The bacterium was responsible for the death of Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, in 1990.
- It is a heterogeneous group of Gram-positive bacteria with significance in medicine, industry, and ecology.
- Streptococcus pyogenes causes various diseases including streptococcal pharyngitis, scarlet fever, skin infections, necrotising fasciitis, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.
- Streptococcal pharyngitis primarily affects children aged 5-15, spreading through saliva or nasal secretions, with symptoms like sore throat, malaise, and fever.
- Scarlet fever, associated with streptococcal throat infections, results in a rash and is treated with penicillin.
- Streptococcal pyoderma starts as a flat sore on the skin, develops pus, and crusting, and progresses to impetigo.
- Necrotising fasciitis, or flesh-eating disease, is a rare, rapidly spreading infection of the skin and deeper tissues, with high mortality rates, requiring surgical and antibiotic treatment.
- Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is similar to necrotising fasciitis but also results in organ failure and shock, necessitating intensive care, surgical care, and antibiotic therapy.
- Virulence factors of Streptococcus pyogenes include M protein, lipoteichoic acid, hyaluronic acid capsule, and pyrogenic (erythrogenic) toxin.
- The bacterium infects the host by producing pyrogenic exotoxins A and B, acting as superantigens and causing tissue destruction, inflammation, and death.
- Streptococcus pyogenes secretes streptokinase, a fibrinolytic substance that dissolves clots, facilitating rapid growth and invasion.
Test your knowledge of Streptococcus pyogenes and the diseases it causes with this quiz. Learn about the bacterium's virulence factors, transmission, and the various diseases it can lead to, including streptococcal pharyngitis, scarlet fever, necrotising fasciitis, and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.
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