Question

Lab Worksheets: Staphylococci I. List the main infections/diseases caused by the following: a. Staphylococcus aureus b. Staphylococcus saprophyticus II. Case study Over a period of a week a nurse at a large elementary school has been noticing an increasing number of children with skin sores, particularly on the face. Each sore begins as a blister that eventually breaks, leaving an open sore that will scab over. At first there were only a few cases in one class, but the number appears to be Increasing throughout the school. 1. Differential diagnosis: On the basis of the information given, discuss all potential microorganism(s) covered in our Staphylococci lecture (lecture 6) might be responsible. Explain your reasoning for your answer(s). I 2. Specimen collection, processing and lab workup: Outline the steps (In the correct order) a micro laboratory might take in isolating and identifying the causative organism. 3. Epidemiology. If this outbreak was caused by S. aureus, describe how S. aureus is commonly spread and discuss the relationship to the case study scenario.

Answer 1

QUESTION 1

Staphylococcus aureus: The main diseases that this bacteria causes are Bacteremia (the presence of bacteria in the blood) and Infective endocarditis

Staphylococcus saprophyticus: The main disease that this bacteria causes is Urinary Tract infection or UTI (an infection that can affect the lower or upper part of the urinary tract. If upper, it is known as a kidney infection, and if lower, it is known as a bladder infection