Wound Infections Chapter 27, pp691-714
1) Staphylococcal wound infections (see Table 27-2, p698 for
leading causes of wound infections)
- Major cause = Staphylococcus aureus (Gram + cocci arranged in
clusters)
- Numerous virulence factors (Table 27-1, p695)
- Growth on mannitol salt agar, coagulase positive
- Usually treated with penicillinase resistant penicillins such
as methicillin
- (MRSA)
2) Group A Streptococci (“flesh eaters”)
- Streptococcus pyogenes = Group A; b hemolytic; fermentative;
catalase-negative; aerotolerant anaerobe
- Treatment = penicillin
- Role of NSAID
3) Tetanus (lockjaw) = Clostridium tetani Table 27-4 p702
- gram (+) endospore forming rod
- obligate anaerobe (spores common in soil)
- transmission = enters body through wounds or abrasions
- virulence = exotoxins - attacks motor neurons of CNS
(neurotoxin)
- treatment = antitoxin, penicillin (the antitoxin is most
important)
- control = vaccine (toxoid is part of DPT)
4) Gas gangrene = Clostridium perfringens (encapsulated) Table
27-5 p703
- found in intestinal tract, soil
- virulence = 11 toxins; alpha toxin destroys RBC, leukocytes
- symptoms = gas production (H2, CO2), delirium, disorientation,
death due to toxemia
- treatment = remove dead tissue, antitoxins, penicillin,
hyperbaric oxygen treatment
5) Bacterial bite wound infections - see Tables 27-7, 27-8,
and 27-9, pp707-708
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