Staphylococcus is a gram positive cocci. First thing to remember,
since its gram positive it is violet in color. There are 3 medically important
species here, Staph aureus, epidermidis and saprophyticus. So how can we
differentiate between these species? The answer is coagulase
test.
Coagulase positive : Staph aureus Coagulase negative : Staph epidermidis and saprophyticus
This article will discuss about the high yield points about Staphylococcus
aureus. The highlighted parts are the “Very Important Ones”, which will help
you solve most of the clinical questions.
·
The name is a big clue on its on. Staph means Grape
and it looks like a bundle of grape when viewed in a microscope. Whereas,
aureus means Golden, it has a golden or yellow color in
a blood agar medium. It is beta hemolytic. It ferments
mannitol, turning mannitol agar bright yellow in color.
·
Virulence
factor : Protein A (just remember A for Aureus)
·
Colonies
: Nares (remember someone picking the nose )
·
Diseases
:
- Most common cause of Osteomyelitis.
- Most common cause of septic arthritis in adults.
- Mostly associated with abscesses.
- Post viral bacterial pneumonia : Patchy Infiltrates in the x-ray.
- Acute bacterial endocarditis : mostly in IV drug user. The valve involved is tricuspid valve.
- Scalded Skin Syndrome : Caused by Exfoliating protein, a protease.
- Toxic Shock syndrome : Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin (TSST), a superantigen.
- Rapid onset Food poisoning (w/in 6 hrs) : Heat stable preformed toxin. Mostly vomiting than diarrhea. Foods that can cause it are Salads, mayonnaise , meat.
- Most common cause of Osteomyelitis.
- Most common cause of septic arthritis in adults.
- Mostly associated with abscesses.
- Post viral bacterial pneumonia : Patchy Infiltrates in the x-ray.
- Acute bacterial endocarditis : mostly in IV drug user. The valve involved is tricuspid valve.
- Scalded Skin Syndrome : Caused by Exfoliating protein, a protease.
- Toxic Shock syndrome : Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin (TSST), a superantigen.
- Rapid onset Food poisoning (w/in 6 hrs) : Heat stable preformed toxin. Mostly vomiting than diarrhea. Foods that can cause it are Salads, mayonnaise , meat.
- Methicillin Sensitive Staph Aureus (MSSA) : Naphcillin (Naph for Staph)
- Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA) : Vancomycin
Healthy survival of a cancer survivor
ReplyDeleteIf you have survived the fight against cancer you are a winner. Congrats on your achievement. Though you have won the main battle, but there are small fights that will still be there in your life. As there are some side effects of cancer treatment that linger on. First of all, you will have to stay happy and keep a positive attitude towards life. Many highs and lows are still to come your way. Stay inspired and healthy. For this, you will have to adapt and change your lifestyle for the rest of your life.
What can be the long term side effects?
You will need to keno in detail about all the possible side effects of cancer. This helps you be mentally and physically prepared for all the situations in life ahead. Also, you will be able to enjoy and live to the fullest.
How to maintain weight during cancer treatment?
ReplyDeleteCancer is a tough disease to fight. So it would be best to prevent it or get detected at the earliest. We can say that side effects of cancer treatment are related. Cancer can cause weight gain and vice versa. So keeping your weight in check is idle if you have cancer or not. This will require you to adopt a few changes in your lifestyle and thought process.
Do not ignore weight gain during treatment:
Severe weight loss or gain during the treatment of cancer both are bad. Weight loss is generally due to dehydration and muscle loss. But weight gain is not be left unnoticed. You must report it to your doctor. This may point out some flaws in your treatment. Or maybe something has not been detected. They will need to check the whole treatment and find loopholes. Also, a weight gain may mean a change in the stage of cancer. So even if the treatment is working it will have to be speeded up. You may need a higher dose or a longer duration. Weight gain and cancer should not happen together, that is bad for treatment.