Staphylococci and Streptococci, Staphylococcal Coagulase, Protein A, and Infections

Exercise 3 – Staphylococci
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Exercise 3 – Staphylococci
Question 1. Both staphylococci and streptococci have a similar round spherical cell shape. However, the cell arrangement of the two pathogens differs due to their variation in binary fission. The division of streptococci occurs in a single linear direction, thus forming a string of round cells (Aryal, 2015). On the flip side, staphylococci divide into different directions creating grape-like clusters.
Question 2. Coagulase tests differentiate between negative and positive Staphylococcus. Bound and free coagulase are the two forms of coagulase produced by Staphylococcus aureus. Bound coagulase is connected to the bacteria’s cell wall and directly reacts with fibrinogen (Aryal, 2018). The connection causes fibrinogen alternation that results in sediments on the staphylococcal cell. The process leads to clumping of the cells after a bacteria suspension blends with plasma. On the other hand, free coagulase entails the activation of plasma CRP. The complex reacts with fibrinogen to create the fibrin clot.
Question 3. Protein A refers to a 42kDa cellular membrane protein located on the cell walls of S. aureus. It connects with high infinity the immunoglobulins Fc region from different species. Antibodies have four binding regions, but only two of them can be applied simultane...