Term
| Streptococcus pneumoniae is what Gram status and what shape? |
|
Definition
| Streptococcus pneumoniae is a Gram (+), bullet-shaped diplococci. |
|
|
Term
| Is Streptococcus pneumoniae motile? |
|
Definition
| Not unless you give it money for a cab. |
|
|
Term
| What is the most important virulance factor for Streptococcus pneumoniae? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Streptococcus pneumoniae is Alpha, Beta, or Gamma hemolytic? |
|
Definition
| Alpha. This is a partial hemolysis on Sheep BAP. |
|
|
Term
| Can Streptococcus pneumoniae turn hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen? |
|
Definition
| No, it is catalase negative. |
|
|
Term
| What is a common test done to differentiate between Streptococcus pneumoniae and other strains? |
|
Definition
| Putting on Optochin disk will inhibit the growth of Streptococcus pneumoniae only. |
|
|
Term
| If you put Streptococcus pneumoniae in bile salts will you see a clear or opaque solution? |
|
Definition
| Clear. Streptococcus pneumoniae is bile soluble so the cells will lyse. |
|
|
Term
| If the capsule is present, what will be the gross appearance of Streptococcus pneumoniae on a BAP? |
|
Definition
| Large mucoid (slimy) colonies. |
|
|
Term
| Where can Streptococcus pneumoniae be found in 40% of healthy individuals? |
|
Definition
| Nasopharynx. Recall that it is a transient normal flora. |
|
|
Term
| What patient group at the highest risk for Streptococcus pneumoniae infection? |
|
Definition
| Immuno-compromised. Especially asplenic patients. Recall that sickle cell anemia can cause autosplenectomy. |
|
|
Term
| What is the most common cause of Typical Pneumonia. What are the symptoms? |
|
Definition
| Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of Typical/lobar/community aquired pneumonia. Symptoms include fever, chills, productive cough with rust-colored sputum and pleuricy (chest pain) |
|
|
Term
| What type of pneumonia does not spread via blood/CNS? What are examples of the primary source? |
|
Definition
| Non-invasive. Examples include otitis media and sinusitis to the lungs. |
|
|
Term
| What type of pneumonia can lead to bacteremia/sepsis? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What specific type of infections can predispose one to pneumococcal pneumonia? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the prerequisite for the immune system to recognize the polysaccharide in the capsule? |
|
Definition
| Must be a mature immune system. Children under 2 years of age will not recognize the antigens. |
|
|
Term
| Phosphorylcholine is found in what two membrane components of the Streptococcus pneumoniae cell well? |
|
Definition
| Teichoic acid and Lipoteichoic acid. Recall that "choline" will bind to PAF receptors to enter host alveolar cells. |
|
|
Term
| The cell wall of Streptococcus pneumoniae is antigenic in that it will activate... |
|
Definition
| the alternate complement pathway to induce IL-1, TNF-Alpha, and PAF. |
|
|
Term
| This cytokine increase the expression of adhesion factors on endothelial cells to enable transmigration of leukocytes. It also increases body temperature and can regulate hematopoiesis. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| This cytokine regulates immune system cells, regulates apoptosis and can inhibit tumorigensis and viral replication. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| This cytokine is is a potent phospholipid activator and mediator of many leukocyte functions, including platelet aggregation, inflammation, and anaphylaxis. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What can encapsulated bacteria secrete to avoid entrapment? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Describe the process which capsulated bacteria can lyse host cell membranes. |
|
Definition
| Autolysin is a peptidoglycan hydrolase which is inactive until the cell dies, at which point pneumolysin is released. This is a cytotoxin which leads to the formation of pores in the host cell membrane. |
|
|
Term
| How do strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae gain resistance to penicillin? |
|
Definition
| By altering the binding affinity for PBPs |
|
|
Term
| This vaccine is a polysaccharide vaccine and can cover 23 serotypes BUT it must be given to people OVER 2 years of age. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| This vaccine is a conjugate that covers 7 serotypes that can be given to children but needs to be given in series. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Some Killers Have Pretty Nice Capsules. |
|
Definition
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae type B
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Neisseria meningitidis
Cryptococcus neoformans (yeast)
|
|
|
