Case Study 2:  Eight neonates were born at full-term and developed skin lesions predominantly in the perineum or periumbilical area or both within 10 days of birth. Seven were admitted to the hospital for administration of intravenous antibiotics.  The babies were found to be born within a few days of each other at the same 100-bed hospital and were all under the age of 14 days.  None of the mothers had any type of skin infection and nasal swabs on the mothers all tested negative for Staph and Strep.  Cultures from each of the neonates contained gram-positive cocci in clusters that were catalase positive.  Nasal swabs were collected from all healthcare workers in the maternity ward and also tested negative for Staph and Strep.  One of the healthcare workers had a chronic dermatitis condition that, when cultured, tested for the same organism and susceptibility pattern as the neonates.  Case Study 2 Question1:  What is the most likely etiological agent?

What is a characteristic of “diphtheroid” organisms?

Select the factors that would influence a pathogen’s susceptibility to a drug (please select all that apply).

Beta lactamase is:

All of the following describe syphilis EXCEPT:

While examining an agar plate containing sheep red blood cells, you notice that the area around some colonies is green. You realize that his represents _______________ hemolysis and suspect that your organism might be ________________.

Within 5 hours of returning home from lunch at your favorite all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant you feel very sick and are vomiting. The most likely causative organism is:

Which of the following susceptibility methods utilizes paper discs impregnated with antimicrobial agents?

Which of the following is an example of vehicle transmission of disease?

An example of a secondary infection would be: