Microorganisms causing Diseases of the Skin and Eyes
Microorganism
Gram +:
Propionibacterium acne
Disease and Transmission
Signs and Symptoms
Prevention and Treatment
Acne; endogenous
None; antibiotics (topical or oral)
Staphylococcus aureus
Impetigo; direct & indirect contact
Cellulitis; parenteral implantation
Scalded skin syndrome; direct and
droplet contact
Necrotizing fasciitis; direct &
indirect contact
Impetigo; direct & indirect contact
Cellulitis; parenteral implantation
Erysipelas; direct & indirect
contact
Necrotizing fasciitis; direct &
indirect contact
Gas gangrene (clostridial
myonecrosis); vehicle (spores in
soil), spores also in vagina and
intestine and on skin
Cutaneous anthrax; direct contact
with endospores
Pores clogged with sebum and
dead cells
Crusty, flaky, itchy lesions
Inflammation of dermis
Blistering and desquamation
Streptococcus pyogenes
Clostridum perfringens
Bacillus anthracis
Gram -:
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Chlamydia trachomatis
DNA viruses:
HHV3, varicella virus
Variola virus
Parvovirus
HHV6 & 7
Digestion of epidermal and dermal
tissue
Crusty, flaky, itchy lesions
Inflammation of dermis
Inflammation of dermis
Digestion of epidermal and dermal
tissue
Necrotic tissue and bubbles of gas,
fatal without treatment
Black eschar, untreated 20%
mortality
Neonatal conjunctivitis;
transplacentally
Neonatal conjunctivitis;
transplacentally
Trachoma; indirect contact, flease
Milky discharge in eyes
Chickenpox; droplet, transplacental
Smallpox; droplet
Fifth disease;droplet, transplacental
Roseola; ?
Vesicular rash (itchy)
Pustular rash (eradicated)
“slapped face rash”
Maculopapular rash
Good hygiene; antibiotics
Oral antibiotics
No contact btw carriers and
neonates; systemic antibiotics
Good wound care; antibiotics
Good hygiene; antibiotics
Oral antibiotics
Good wound care; antibiotics
Good wound care; antibiotics
Good wound care and
debridement; penicillin, surgical
removal of diseased tissue and
oxygen therapy
Avoid contact, vaccine available;
ciprofloxacin
Silver nitrate to eyes of neonate;
topical or oral antibiotics
Milky discharge from eye
Silver nitrate; topical or oral
antibiotics
Chronic inflammation, scarring and Topical erythromycin
blindness
Live, attenuated vaccine; none
Live vaccine; -; - (usually mild disease)
-;- (link to MS and Chronic Fatigue
syndrome?)
Human papillomavirus
Molluscum contagiosum virus
Herpes simplex virus
RNA viruses:
Measles virus
Rubella virus
Warts; direct& indirect contact
Molluscum contagiosum; direct
(sexual)
Keratitis; reactivation of latent
virus
Elevated, rough growths
Smooth, waxy nodules
Avoid contact; cryosurgery
Avoid contact; none
Serious conjunctivitis, blindness
-; acyclovir
Measles (rubeola); droplet contact
Koplik’s spots, maculopapular
rash, SSPE (subacute sclerosing
panencephalitis-severe cases)
Mild, maculopapular rash,
teratogenic effects (deafness and
fetal death)
Live attenuated vaccine (MMR)
Tinea Capitis (ringworm of scalp)
Tinea Barbae (“ ofbeard)
Tinea Coporis (“ of body)
Tinea Cruris (“ of groin)
Tinea Pedis (“ of foot)
Tinea Unguium (“ of nail)
Direct and indirect contact for all
Scaly, reddish, itchy patches
Avoid contact; topical antifungals
(azoles)
Leishmaniasis; female sand fly
bites
Ulcerative lesions
Avoid sand flies; antiprozoan drugs
Rubella (German measles); droplet
contact, transplacental
Fungi:
Dermatophytes
Protozoa:
Leishmania spp.
Live attenuated vaccine (MMR)
Defenses & Normal Microbiota of the skin & eyes
Defenses
SKIN: Keratinized surface, sloughing, low pH, high salt, lysozyme
EYES: mucus, tears, lysozyme, lactoferrin
Normal Microbiota
Corynebacterium, Propionibacterium, Staph epi & aureus, Micrococcus,
Streptococcus (alpha- & gamma hemolytic), Candida
Few: Staph aureus & epi, Corynebacterium spp.
Virulence factors: exotoxins, inflammatory mediators;coagulase; hyaluronidase; syncytia formation; endospore; intracellular growth