MRSA and VRE — Flashcards

Flashcard 1: _____ is a beta-lactamase producing bacterium resistant to penicillin.

Answer: Staphylococcus aureus

Flashcard 2: What test is used to differentiate *Staphylococcus aureus* from other staphylococci?

Answer: Coagulase test

Flashcard 3: Enterococcus spp. are bile-_____ (soluble or insoluble)

Answer: insoluble (aka resistant)

Flashcard 4: _____ are one of the leading causes of nosocomial (hospital) infections in the U.S. due to high antibiotic resistance.

Answer: Enterococci spp.

Flashcard 5: What is the Novobiocin sensitivity of Staphylococcus saprophyticus?_____

Answer: Resistant

Flashcard 6: Streptokinase is a virulence factor for what Gram + species? _____

Answer: GAS

Flashcard 7: What is the Novobiocin sensitivity of Staphylococcus epidermidis?_____

Answer: Sensitive

Flashcard 8: Gas gangrene

Answer: Clostridium perfringens

Extra: alpha toxin causes myonecrosis and hemolysis

Flashcard 9: Gram stain status of Clostridium perfringens

Answer: Gram-positive (+)

Extra: Characteristics: - Morphology: Large, box-car shaped Gram-positive bacilli - Oxygen requirement: Anaerobe - Pathogenesis: Alpha toxin (lecithinase) - Clinical: Gas gangrene (myonecrosis), food poisoning

Flashcard 10: Characteristics of Clostridium botulinum:

Answer: Gram-positive bacilli, anaerobic, spore-forming

Extra: Clinical features: Botulism (descending paralysis), Floppy baby syndrome (infant botulism from honey). Toxin: Botulinum toxin (protease that cleaves SNARE proteins, preventing ACh release).