Bacteria — Flashcards

Flashcard 381: Staphylococcus saprophyticus is nitrate reductase _____

Answer: negative

Flashcard 382: What is the shape of Leptospira interrogans? _____

Answer: Spirochete

Flashcard 383: In **conjugate vaccines**, a polysaccharide is conjugated to a(n) _____ to elicit a stronger immune response (e.g. immunologic memory)

Answer: protein

Extra: Polysaccharide antigens alone are T-cell independent and do not produce memory. Conjugation to a protein carrier allows the antigen to be presented on MHC II to T-helper cells, leading to class switching and immunologic memory. Examples: Hib, Meningococcal, and Pneumococcal (PCV13) vaccines.

Flashcard 384: Sialadenitis most commonly occurs due to _____, which often leads to Staphylococcus aureus mediated sialadenitis / parotitis

Answer: sialolithiasis

Extra: Atlas:

Flashcard 385: Does E. coli have a capsule? _____

Answer: Yes

Flashcard 386: Which bacteria (2) present with WBCs in urine but NO bacteria (sterile pyuria)? _____

Answer: N. gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis

Flashcard 387: What phase of bacterial growth do antibiotics (e.g., penicillin) have their greatest effect? _____

Answer: Log phase

Extra: Antibiotics (especially cell wall inhibitors like beta-lactams) are most effective during the log (exponential) phase, when bacteria are actively dividing and synthesizing new cell walls.

Flashcard 388: Bacteria with irregular, fuzz layer have a(n) _____

Answer: glycocalyx

Flashcard 389: Nocardia stains _____ due to the mycolic acids found in its cell wall

Answer: weakly acid fast

Flashcard 390: Does Klebsiella have a capsule? _____

Answer: Yes