Why are staphylococci dangerous? Diseases caused by staphylococci. Causes, symptoms, degrees and treatment of staphylococcus aureus. How is it transmitted

Widespread genus of bacteria. Under the microscope, clusters of staphylococci look like bunches of grapes. There are conditional pathogenic staphylococci(eg, epidermal and saprophytic staphylococci), which are normally present on the skin, in the nasopharynx and oropharynx without causing disease. Other staphylococci are highly pathogenic for humans (for example, Staphylococcus aureus) and cause purulent lesions of various organs and tissues with high frequency.

Staphylococcus is perhaps the most famous bacterium. After all, it is with it that the development of the most various diseases. Some species are capable of affecting any organs and tissues, causing various purulent processes. What is the main danger of this microbe? And what should be done with a positive analysis for staphylococcus aureus? Portal MedAboutMe will help our readers understand all the important issues.

Staphylococcus aureus in adults

Staphylococcus is found everywhere. It is found on the skin and mucous membranes, often settles in the throat and nose of a person. But it does not cause unpleasant symptoms or severe diseases - carriage of the bacterium is the most common form of staphylococcus in adults. That is why all types of this microorganism are classified as conditionally pathogenic microflora. This means that they do not threaten a healthy person, but under adverse conditions they can cause a disease.

Moreover, if nevertheless the bacterium provokes an infection, it can cause a variety of lesions of organs and tissues. In fact, a specific diagnosis depends only on the localization of the purulent process. Staphylococcus in adults can cause such diseases:

Lesions of the skin and mucous membranes - boils, carbuncles, purulent wounds.
Food poisoning.
Inflammation of the lungs of a bacterial nature.
Bronchitis.
Endocarditis.
Osteomyelitis.
Meningitis.
Blood poisoning.

Staphylococcus aureus is especially dangerous in this regard, which can penetrate anywhere in the body and cause a generalized infection.

Staphylococcus aureus in women

Among the bacteria that are dangerous specifically for women, saprophytic staphylococcus is isolated, which in some cases can lead to inflammation. Bladder and kidneys. However, this happens quite rarely, since it is this type of bacteria that is easily controlled by the immune system. Subject to hygiene standards, the risk of developing such diseases is minimized.

Staphylococcus aureus during pregnancy

Pregnant women and women in childbirth constitute a risk group for the development of staphylococcal infection. This is due to the fact that a woman's immunity is weakened, the metabolic processes, and against the background of such changes, staphylococcus can become more active. Therefore, it is very important to get tested, even if there are no signs of infection. A positive result is not a reason for the treatment of staphylococcus aureus, however, in this case, a woman should control her condition and be attentive to preventive measures.

Of particular danger during pregnancy is Staphylococcus aureus, since this type of bacterium can easily pass through the placental barrier. This is fraught with serious consequences for the unborn child - the fetal membranes and the fetus itself become infected. Often this ends in a miscarriage.

A pregnant woman with a positive analysis for staphylococcus must take into account the risks of infecting the baby. In particular, if the bacterium is found in the vagina, treatment should be carried out, even if there are no symptoms of inflammation. When passing through the birth canal, a child can become infected with a bacterium, and this will provoke the development of the disease in him.

Since the children's immune system is also underdeveloped, staphylococcus aureus often causes infectious processes in children. Most common in preschool and school age This bacterium, along with streptococcus, causes respiratory diseases:

sinusitis.
Rhinitis.
Pharyngitis.
Bronchitis.
Pneumonia.

Skin lesions are also common. And in childhood they can be provoked even by those types of staphylococcus that practically do not bother adults - epidermal and saprophytic. Rashes, pustules appear on the skin and mucous membranes, sometimes the disease is similar to an allergic reaction.

Staphylococcus in children, if it enters the intestines, often provokes eating disorders. Moreover, their cause may not even be the development of a purulent process, but poisoning with toxins that the bacterium secretes.

Staphylococcus aureus in newborns

Since staphylococcus is ubiquitous, an encounter with a microbe often occurs already in infancy sometimes in the first days of life. And in this case, the development of infection is very likely, moreover, staphylococcus in newborns causes a number of specific diseases that are not typical for other ages. Among them are dermatological problems:

Scalded skin syndrome (Ritter's disease), in which large areas of affected skin form, detachment occurs upper layers epidermis. Moreover, this particular disease is caused by the exfoliatin toxin secreted by the bacterium, and not by the purulent process itself. Staphylococcus venom is especially dangerous for babies, because it provokes severe lesions.
Pemphigus of newborns. It is characterized by the appearance of many painful blisters.

Staphylococcus in infants can also cause purulent mastitis, food poisoning, be the cause poor healing wounds. Most often, the infection develops in premature babies, after difficult births, and also if basic hygiene rules are not followed.

Staphylococcus aureus in a newborn, most often aureus, can quickly lead to a generalized lesion - the bacterium easily spreads throughout the body. Even minor injuries are dangerous skin, which, without treatment, can turn into phlegmon of newborns - a purulent lesion of fatty tissues, accompanied by necrosis.

If the mother is a carrier of the bacteria, the infection can easily enter the baby's intestines (during breastfeeding), and this leads to serious disorders digestion, which affect the growth and development of the newborn. In addition, staphylococcus in children can get into the blood from skin suppurations and cause extensive inflammatory process life-threatening sepsis.

What is staphylococcus

Staphylococci - bacteria round shape capable of forming clusters resembling clusters. Hence its name: translated from the ancient Greek "kokk" - grain. This is an extensive group of bacteria, numbering 27 species, 14 of which are found on the skin and mucous membranes of humans. At the same time, only 3 species are capable of causing diseases, therefore they are classified as conditionally pathogenic microflora.

Epidermal staphylococcus aureus (S. epidermidis).

Settles on any mucous membranes and skin areas. It poses the greatest danger during operations, for example, it can be introduced into the body with an infected prosthesis - a valve, a shunt, and others. Most common cause suppuration of catheters. In most cases, this staphylococcus does not require treatment, and the infection caused by it goes away on its own after the removal of the prosthesis or replacement of the catheter, as well as cleansing the wound.

Saprophytic staphylococcus (S. Saprophyticus).

The least dangerous of all opportunistic species, most often lives in the area urethra and genitals. May cause cystitis and urethritis.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus).

The most pathogenic species of all existing. The vast majority of diseases caused by staphylococcus bacteria are associated with this species. It may also be present in the microflora of a healthy person.

The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus got its name for the ability to form a specific pigment - under a microscope, its colonies have a yellowish-orange color. This species was first described in 1880. It is resistant to drugs, withstands boiling, survives under the scorching sun, withstands desiccation. Insensitive to hydrogen peroxide, survives in saline solutions. The latter provides Staphylococcus aureus with the opportunity to live and multiply in the human sweat glands.

The microbe secretes the following main enzymes:

Lipase.

It is able to destroy fats, due to this, the bacterium easily enters the blood from the skin layer, and from there it can move to any organ and tissue.

Coagulase.

Once in the bloodstream, due to this enzyme, the microbe provokes blood clotting and, as a result, surrounds itself with a clot. So staphylococcus protects itself from immune cells - leukocytes.

Penicillinase.

A special enzyme that was developed by staphylococcus aureus by natural selection after the antibiotic penicillin was used to treat infections caused by it. Now many bacteria of this genus are able to break down the penicillin molecule and thus be resistant to such drugs.

In addition, it is Staphylococcus aureus that secretes exo- and endotoxins, which can cause severe poisoning of the body. Even without the development of the inflammatory process, this microbe can harm health.

Staphylococcus aureus is quite resistant to drugs, constantly mutates, and therefore the diseases caused by it are quite difficult to treat. One of the most dangerous strains of bacteria is methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, which has developed resistance to methicillin (chemically modified penicillin). Its prevalence is directly related to the frequency of treatment of infections, therefore it occurs mainly as a hospital strain in developed countries.

Staphylococci are classified as immobile bacteria, but recent studies by scientists at the University of Nottingham and Sheffield have shown that it is the methicillin-resistant strain that is able to move.

Diseases caused by staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcal infection is a purulent lesion of a particular area of the skin, mucous membrane, organ, or tissue. The list of diseases caused by staphylococcus includes more than 100 different names. At the same time, each person faced the most common manifestation of infections - the vast majority of abscesses on the skin (boils, barley, carbuncles) are caused by the golden type of this bacterium.

Diseases depend on the place of development of the infectious process:

Respiratory tract: sinusitis, rhinitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, laryngitis, etc.
Intestine: digestive disorders, poisoning.
Blood: sepsis.
Brain: meningitis.
Bone: osteomyelitis.
Heart: endocarditis.
Mammary gland: purulent mastitis.

With severe damage, staphylococcus aureus can cause a generalized infection that affects all or most organs. Also, the growth of its colony on the skin (pyoderma) can develop into phlegmon - extensive purulent process. In such cases of staphylococcal infection, treatment is carried out in a hospital, without proper therapy, a fatal outcome is possible.

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium resistant to environmental factors that can endure long drying, heat, and so on. It can stay on surfaces for up to six months.

Infection with staphylococcus often occurs through wounds on the skin, because in the majority of the world's population it is part of a healthy microflora. The bacterium can be obtained in transport, on the street, at home, with some food and water.

Due to their amazing resistance, staphylococci are frequent residents of hospitals. Even compliance with all sanitary standards is not able to destroy the microbe, moreover, it is here that its most dangerous strains live.

How is staphylococcus transmitted?

There are several main routes of infection transmission:

Contact household. In this case, staphylococcus enters the body through contaminated objects - the patient's personal hygiene products (for example, towels), doorknobs, bed linen and more.
Airborne. The bacterium is airborne during sneezing, coughing and even talking.
Fecal-oral. Directly related to non-compliance with hygiene standards. Staphylococcus aureus is present in the feces and vomit of an infected person. It is transmitted through dirty hands, with poorly washed vegetables, berries and fruits, poorly washed dishes.
Vertical. In this case, staphylococcus is transmitted to the newborn from the mother either during pregnancy or during childbirth, when the child passes through the birth canal.

The bacterium can persist in dust for several months, it is very difficult to remove it from various fleecy surfaces - carpets, plush, rugs and other things. That is why, for the prevention of staphylococcus aureus in children in the first weeks of life, doctors recommend giving up soft toys, and washing plastic and rubber ones often.

Epidermal staphylococcus can be transmitted even in the operating room, through medical instruments during various manipulations.

Risk groups for the development of diseases

All three types of staphylococcus that can provoke diseases are part of a healthy microflora in most people and do not manifest themselves in any way. The immune system is able to control the growth of microorganisms, to keep their numbers within safe limits. The pathogenicity of bacteria such as streptococci and staphylococci manifests itself only in specific cases, when the body's defenses cannot effectively resist it. Risk groups for the development of various staphylococcal infections include the following categories:

People with various forms of immunodeficiency, including those caused by HIV.
Patients with endocrine diseases, diabetes mellitus.
People with chronic diseases, such as bronchial asthma.
Newborns, children of the first years of life.
Elderly people.
Pregnant.

Frequent colds, acute respiratory viral diseases. Especially dangerous in this regard is the flu, which greatly weakens the body. Most often, complications after this disease are associated with the activation of streptococci and staphylococci.

People with bad habits, for example, smokers and those with alcohol addiction, also fall into the risk group. A decrease in immunity can provoke an irregular or poor diet - semi-finished products, fast food, canned foods.

For a healthy person, the risk is non-compliance with hygiene rules. Since staphylococcus survives well in external environment and is easily transported through objects and through the air, to reduce its number in the room, it is often necessary to carry out wet cleanings and ventilate the room. This is especially true for infants, because they often have skin staphylococcal infections.

The final diagnosis can only be made by a doctor and only on the basis of positive tests for staphylococcus aureus. Since in some cases similar diseases can be triggered by other pathogens, for example, protozoa.

Analysis for staphylococcus aureus

A person constantly encounters different types of this bacterium, therefore, when taking tests, it is necessary to separate the concepts of staphylococcus and staphylococcal infection. Since a positive result does not mean the disease itself. Moreover, such checks are recommended only when staphylococcus is accompanied by symptoms of the disease. Otherwise, a person is simply a carrier of a bacterium, and it cannot cause significant harm. It is also important to determine which staphylococcus caused the disease, since for different types it can be recommended different schemes treatment.

The analysis is taken from the area in which the infection is supposed to develop:

Blood is tested if a massive infection is suspected.
Scraping from the skin is taken for dermatological problems.
Feces are examined in the presence of indigestion.
A swab from the nose and throat - if there are diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
Urinalysis - at.

The norms of the degree of staphylococcus are prescribed for each type, each type of analysis and patients of different ages. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the organism, because in some patients even an excess of the norm does not lead to illness, while in others, underestimated indicators cause the onset of an infectious process.

So, for example, the average indicator of the norm is the amount of staphylococcus 10 in 3-4 degrees. Such a result is often found in the analyzes of healthy adults, but for a newborn, such a colony of bacteria can pose a serious threat.

One of the main criteria for the presence of a staphylococcal infection is an increase in the number of microorganisms. Therefore, when staphylococcus aureus is detected, it is important for people who are at risk to pass several tests of the same type so that the doctor can assess the dynamics. If the number does not change, but there are no symptoms, then the degree of staphylococcus present is controlled by the immune system.

Staphylococcal infection: symptoms

In the presence of infection, staphylococcus manifests itself severe symptoms. They depend on the localization of the inflammatory process. Combine all staphylococcal infections such signs:

Fever, local (at the site of infection) or general fever.
The presence of purulent processes.
Intoxication - general deterioration, loss of appetite, drowsiness, joint pain.

The following symptoms are also characteristic:

Ulcers on the skin different sizes: boils, pyoderma, abscesses and more.
Cough and coryza with purulent yellowish-green discharge.
Mucus in the stool, upset stool, nausea.
Pain at the site of infection. For example, with staphylococcal osteomyelitis, bones begin to hurt, endocarditis may be accompanied by heart pain.

Localization of staphylococcus

Staphylococcus aureus, which is the cause of 90% of all infections provoked by this type of bacteria, can settle in any organs and tissues. This distinguishes it from saprophytic and epidermal and at the same time makes it the most dangerous.

In fact, this microbe can cause purulent processes in any organ. It is able to cross the placental barrier. Therefore, infection in pregnant women can threaten infection of the child and subsequent miscarriage. Staphylococcus aureus also passes the blood-brain barrier, which protects the central nervous system and brain from various infections. This explains its ability to cause purulent meningitis.

Staphylococcus in the nose is found very often, since it is the mucous membranes of the sinuses that are one of the most common habitats for this microbe. Moreover, we are talking about the golden form, since saprophytic and epidermal do not settle here.

Normally, a staph score of 10 grade 3-5 in the nose is not a cause for serious concern and should be treated only if symptoms of the disease are present. For example, whitish or yellow-green discharge from the nose, against which chills, fever, intoxication of the body, and headache appear.

The bacterium can cause the following diseases:

Rhinitis.
Sinusitis.
Sinusitis.
Frontit.

Factors that provoke the growth of staphylococcus aureus in the nose include the following:

Deviation of the nasal septum.
Persistent nasal congestion due to an allergic reaction.
Frequent and uncontrolled use of vasoconstrictor drops.
The use of antibacterial drops in an incomplete course.
Self-treatment a wide range actions.

Staphylococcus in the throat

Often staphylococcus is found in the throat. Moreover, quite often the bacterium spreads through all the upper respiratory tract, if a positive analysis for staphylococcus aureus in the nose is obtained, it is more likely that some of it will be detected in the pharynx.

The habitation of a microbe on mucous membranes without pronounced symptoms of the disease is not a sufficient reason for treatment. However, it must be borne in mind that it is here that its presence increases the risk of developing bacterial complications after SARS. The fact is that even light viral infections weaken the immune system. And against this background, there is often an increased growth of streptococci and staphylococci - bacteria that are often present on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

Microbes can cause such diseases:

Laryngitis.
Angina, tonsillitis.
Pharyngitis.

The main danger is that in some cases, staphylococcus aureus does not linger in the throat, the infection descends down the respiratory tract and causes diseases such as pneumonia and bronchitis. There is also a possibility of swallowing it and getting the bacteria into the intestines, where it will lead to the development of gastrointestinal diseases.

Staphylococcus aureus in the throat, according to statistics, periodically lives in 60% of the world's population. If it causes infection, the following symptoms appear:

Pain and sore throat.
Hoarseness.
Department of purulent, greenish sputum.
An increase in body temperature (sometimes up to 40 ° C).
In some cases, noticeable pustules on the mucous or severe redness, hyperemia of the tonsils and rear wall throats.

Since Staphylococcus aureus in the throat provokes not only a purulent process, but also releases poisons, the sick person also feels signs of intoxication:

Chills.
Dizziness.
Headache.
Loss of appetite.
Strong weakness.

In an acute course, Staphylococcus aureus in the throat, even if the infection is localized, can worsen the condition of people with chronic diseases. First of all, patients with diseases of the lungs and heart are at risk. In addition to the fact that the infection causes an exacerbation of chronic diseases, staphylococcus aureus in the throat can provoke the development of complications such as purulent pneumonia and lung abscess, as well as endocarditis.

Epidermal staphylococcus aureus

This type of staphylococcus normally lives on the skin and mucous membranes. However, here it is extremely rarely able to provoke an infection - abscesses on the skin are most often caused by a golden look. In this case, when changing the localization, epidermal staphylococcus aureus can cause a purulent process.

It is this species that is responsible for the development of complications during prosthetics - the installation of shunts, heart valves, artificial joints. Also, epidermal staphylococcus aureus provokes suppuration of catheters. But since this species does not have high level pathogenicity, often to eliminate complications, it is enough just to remove the infected prosthesis or catheter and treat the lesion site. Since staphylococcus aureus does not need to be treated with antibiotics, it is easier to tolerate than aureus.

The danger of epidermal staphylococcus is not even associated with the infection itself, but with the fact that often complex patients are forced to go to repeated operations after a short period of time. After all, a staphylococcal infection develops in the first 1-3 days after surgical intervention. And this increases the risk of complications associated with the surgery itself.

An analysis for staphylococcus aureus in feces is a common examination in childhood for various digestive disorders, changes in stool color, diarrhea or constipation. A positive result suggests that staphylococcus aureus is present in the intestine, however, as in other cases, it may well be part of normal microflora.

Therefore, even in the presence of these symptoms, treatment should not be started without additional tests. It is important to make sure that the gastrointestinal upset is not triggered by other factors. The fact is that it is in childhood that the digestive system is imperfect. The baby's body does not yet produce enough enzymes to break down various products, as a result, even good food can cause indigestion, diarrhea, and provoke skin rashes.

In this case, staphylococcus in the intestine may not be the cause of the listed ailments. At the same time, treatment, which will necessarily include antibiotics, will negatively affect the composition of the microflora and can provoke the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

A staphylococcal infection in the intestine differs from common disorders in the following ways:

Manifestations do not depend on the type of food.
Symptoms are always present.
Staphylococcus in the feces is characterized by mucous, and sometimes purulent discharge.
Diarrhea and abdominal pain are accompanied by fever.
With staphylococcus aureus, there may be blood in the stool.
Often there are purulent rashes on the skin.

With a positive analysis for staphylococcus, it is advisable to take a few more of these - so the doctor can see if the number of bacteria is increasing and whether the disease itself is progressing.

Staphylococcus in urine

The presence of bacteria in the urine is referred to as bacteriuria. And unlike other cases, there should not be a normal staphylococcus in this analysis. However, when a positive result there is a possibility that the microbe got into the material during collection, from the skin. True bacteriuria is rare. For example, in pregnant women, such a diagnosis is confirmed only in 2-8% of all cases.

Therefore, the decision on the presence of infection and the diagnosis is checked by the results of two independent tests and only if the staphylococcus is accompanied by symptoms of diseases. urinary tract and kidneys. In 15-45% with bacteriuria, diseases of these organs can actually develop:

Cystitis.
Urethritis.
Pyelonephritis.

But even if the analysis is positive, it is necessary to pay attention to what kind of staphylococcus the urine is infected with. So, for example, golden is more likely to provoke a disease and can hurt the kidneys, but saprophytic does not pose a great danger.

Staphylococcus in the blood

A positive blood test for staphylococcus is potentially dangerous situation with any number of microbes. Together with the bloodstream, bacteria can spread throughout the body, causing extensive damage to various organs, as well as blood poisoning - sepsis.

Staphylococcus aureus, getting into the blood, due to the enzyme coagulase, is able to form a blood clot around itself, thus protecting itself from the immune system. The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream can provoke such diseases:

Damage to the heart valves.
Pneumonia.
Osteomyelitis.
Pyelonephritis.
Liver damage.

In addition, if staphylococcus aureus passes through the blood-brain barrier, it will cause brain damage - meningitis. Therefore, Staphylococcus aureus found in the blood requires quick treatment. Especially when it comes to newborns and children of the first years of life.

Staphylococcus in the blood is found extremely rarely, as a rule, in people with immunodeficiency, after severe illnesses and if the purulent process has not been treated.

Treatment of staphylococcal infections in adults and children is quite difficult, sometimes it can take several months. In some cases, it is necessary to change the main drug several times - the originally selected antibiotic. Depending on the severity of the infection, staphylococcus aureus is treated on an outpatient basis or in a hospital.

When is treatment needed?

The indication for treatment is the presence of a staphylococcal infection, and not the pathogen itself. Like any bacterial process, it proceeds with severe symptoms: intoxication of the body is observed, there are signs of purulent processes. If the patient has such complaints, before treating staphylococcus aureus, the patient is sent for tests. Material is taken from the place of the alleged localization of the infection, bakposev is done. After that, it is specified what kind of staphylococcus a person is infected with, the number of bacteria is specified.

In this case, if staphylococcus is detected in the tests, and there are no symptoms of the disease, treatment can only worsen the situation. The fact is that antibiotics are a common medicine for the treatment of staphylococcal infections. These drugs, with all their effectiveness, still significantly affect the composition of the microflora. As a result of taking them while carrying staphylococcus aureus, an increase in the number of microbes can be provoked, and this will already lead to the development of an infection.

If the disease is confirmed, in no case should you self-medicate, especially with the use of antibacterial drugs. Since staphylococcus actively mutates, today it is resistant to many drugs.

After it is determined which staphylococcus a person is infected with, the patient is tested for sensitivity to antibiotics. Only after it is selected the appropriate drug.

At the same time, the treatment of some types of staphylococcus, for example, epidermal or aureus, which caused a lesion on the skin, can take place without antibacterial drugs. Such a staphylococcal lesion involves treatment with the use of surgical methods. The abscess is opened, pus is removed, the wound is treated antiseptics. Moreover, despite the resistance of this bacterium to many drugs, it dies from aniline dyes. Therefore, wounds are often smeared with brilliant green.

Staphylococcus in the throat, which caused the infection, is also necessarily treated with the use of local remedies. Affected areas can be treated with a solution of chlorophyllipt, as well as various healing ointments, for example, vinylin.

Staphylococcus in the intestine requires the use of antibiotics. Staphylococcal bacteriophage, a special virus that can infect these bacteria, can also be used.

The complex of treatment for staphylococcal infections necessarily includes measures to strengthen the immune system. If the disease progresses rapidly and is of a generalized nature, the patient will be recommended to take tests for the presence of HIV infection or examinations for other possible causes of immunodeficiencies.

Staphylococcus aureus and its treatment

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of infections caused by this family of bacteria. With high pathogenicity, it also has a number of protective mechanisms that make it immune to drugs and some immune defense mechanisms.

The most dangerous type is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is always extremely difficult to treat because it is resistant to first-line antibiotics (penicillins and cephalosporins). It was first discovered in the UK in 1961 and has since spread widely around the world, mainly in European countries and North America.

AT normal conditions this type of bacterium behaves like other staphylococci - it does not cause disease, but coexists with the microflora. However, if it leads to the development of an infection, often the lesions spread throughout the body, and are not local. It is with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus that doctors most often associate complex cases of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.

Antibiotics for streptococci and staphylococci

The first open antibiotics, penicillins, were effective against just two main groups of bacteria that affect humans - streptococci and staphylococci. In the first years of using the drug, it was possible to successfully treat most purulent processes, stop sepsis, and increase survival in severe cases. festering wounds. However, staphylococci have managed to develop resistance to these drugs, in particular, some strains of aureus produce the enzyme penicillanase, which quickly destroys and neutralizes the drug.

Nevertheless, antibiotics of the penicillin group are still considered first-line drugs. In the treatment of staphylococcal infections, the latest generations of medicines are used - amoxicillin, oxacillin and others.

Also common antibiotics in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections include cephalosporins - cephalexin, cefuroxime, cefazolin.

In severe cases, the following drugs are used:

Vancomycin (although strains of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to this drug have been identified today).
Clindamycin.
Co-trimoxazole.
Tetracyclines - doxycycline, minocycline.

The choice of any drug, as well as the treatment regimen, is prescribed exclusively by a doctor. Before the appointment, tests for sensitivity to antibiotics are taken.

A nosocomial infection is considered to be a disease that has developed in a person 48-72 hours after admission to the hospital. And one of the main causative agents of such diseases is Staphylococcus aureus. At the same time, its most dangerous forms live in the walls of hospitals - antibiotic-resistant, often leading to fatal infections. This is due to the fact that it is in medical institutions that the premises are treated with antiseptic agents, patients take various medications. Thus, conditions are created for the survival of only the most resistant forms of staphylococcus.

Among the most common nosocomial infections- hospital pneumonia, which occupies a fifth of all diseases developing in hospitals. Factors that increase the risk of contracting this type of pneumonia include:

Immunodeficiencies.
Chronic lung diseases.
Smoking.
Frequent, uncontrollable.
Renal failure.
Bronchoscopy and tracheal intubation procedures.
postoperative period.

Since hospital-acquired staphylococcus is very difficult to treat, a patient may need a combination of several antibacterial agents and even the introduction of immunoglobulins.

These bacteria are transmitted in the usual ways: airborne and contact-household. The carriers of the microbe are often the doctors themselves - they have dangerous strains of staphylococcus found in the nose and throat. Also, if hygiene standards are not observed, the infection can be carried on hospital gowns, dishes, bed linen, medical instruments.

Complication of staphylococcal infections

Most dangerous complication staphylococcal infection of any localization - the entry of bacteria into the blood. It is in this case that life-threatening conditions can develop - damage to the heart, kidneys, brain, development of sepsis. After an infection, a person can become disabled. Such a course of staphylococcal infection is of particular danger in infants, since irreversible processes can develop within several days, and sometimes even hours.

Superficial skin lesions can provoke the development of phlegmon - an acute and extensive purulent lesion of adipose tissue.

Under certain conditions, Staphylococcus aureus is a mortal danger, so even if the infection is local, it is subject to mandatory treatment.

Also, serious complications of staphylococcal infection include toxic injury organism. Many strains of Staphylococcus aureus can secrete the strongest poisons - endotoxins. It is with them that severe poisoning is associated (if staphylococcus is found in feces), causing diarrhea, vomiting and severe abdominal pain. Poisons also cause toxic shock syndrome, which is fatal if left untreated.

Prevention of staphylococcal infections

Understanding how difficult it is to treat staphylococcus, most doctors pay attention to the prevention of infection. Completely get rid of different types this microorganism is simply impossible. Therefore, the key task is not to eliminate the bacteria, but to prevent the development of an infectious process. Staphylococcus becomes pathogenic with a large accumulation of bacteria and an uncontrolled growth in their number. And this can happen in two cases:

When the body's resistance is low, when the immune system cannot stop the reproduction of the microorganism.
With frequent contact with a source of infection.

By eliminating these two factors, you can expect that staphylococcus aureus will not cause symptoms of the disease.

Compliance with hygiene standards is a key task in the prevention of infection. Since staphylococcus can be transmitted by household contact, and also stored in dust for a long time, the following rules must be observed:

Washing hands after walking, going to the toilet, before eating.
Eating only well-washed vegetables, fruits, berries, as well as fresh foods.
Fence drinking water only from pure sources.
Frequent wet cleaning.
Room ventilation.

The overwhelming majority of doctors associate the development of staphylococcal infection in infants with non-compliance with hygiene standards. If the disease develops a few weeks after birth, infection with staphylococcus aureus in childbirth or the perinatal period is excluded.

In order to avoid the risk of infection, you need:

Bathe the child daily.
Change diapers frequently.
Use only clean clothes, diapers, bed linen.
Wash toys regularly.
Disinfect pacifiers and bottles. In no case do not lick them before giving them to the child: if the mother has Staphylococcus aureus in her throat, it will be passed on to the child.
Rinse nipples before breastfeeding.
Refuse fleecy things in the children's room - soft toys, carpets and other things.
Often ventilate the room, spend as much time as possible in the fresh air.

It is also necessary to remember that staphylococcus easily penetrates through small wounds and cuts on the skin and in such cases can cause a local purulent process. Therefore, any skin lesions should be treated:

The wound is well washed and cleaned of dirt.
Damage is treated with an antiseptic.
A bandage is applied.

Immunity

With a normally functioning immune system, even a bacterium that enters an open wound will be quickly neutralized and will not lead to infection. Also exactly protective functions organisms prevent the entry of staphylococcus into the blood, and hence the development of pneumonia, endocarditis, osteomyelitis and meningitis.

Immunity can suffer under the influence of such factors:

An unbalanced diet with an insufficient amount of vitamins, macro- and microelements.
Bad habits: smoking, alcohol and drug use.
Hypodynamia, sedentary lifestyle.
Frequent stressful situations, depression.
Insufficient sleep.
Uncontrolled medication, especially antibiotics.

All of these are prerequisites for the emergence various diseases, which in turn further reduce the protective functions of the body. That is why staphylococcus in adults and children is often activated against the background of acute respiratory viral infections, exacerbations chronic infections and others.

Particular attention must be paid to people suffering from primary or acquired immunodeficiencies, since they rarely carry staphylococcus aureus - with any contact, the bacterium causes an infection. The high-risk group includes people with cancer, as well as those undergoing chemotherapy, taking medications for a long time.

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Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen in the gastrointestinal tract that can cause it functional disorders and inflammation. A healthy organism can endure a meeting with a bacterium without consequences and resist a certain (permissible) number of pests. But if an abnormal number of individuals is formed in the body, then an infection develops. This carries certain risks, since it is not always possible to cure Staphylococcus aureus in the intestine at the initial stage.

The disease makes itself felt with a large accumulation of bacteria

In this article you will learn:

Causes of infection

The reason for the development of abnormal activity of pathogenic staphylococcus bacteria in the intestine is weakened immunity and dysbiosis. Normally, bacteria die under the influence of natural environment stomach, activity of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

The most common reason that creates favorable conditions for the development of Staphylococcus aureus is food poisoning (expired or infected items, violation of technique and cooking conditions). Other ways that staphylococcus enters the body include interaction with a carrier, infection within the walls of a hospital, transmission of the bacterium from mother to child during fetal development.

Weakened immunity creates a favorable environment for the development of the microorganism

Symptoms of pathology

The first symptoms of Staphylococcus aureus manifest themselves 30-360 minutes after entering the intestines in adults. These include:

diarrhea (may be every hour);
acute abdominal pain (usually in the lower abdomen);
blotches of blood and mucus in the stool;
nausea;
vomit;
subfebrile temperature indicators (on average - 37.5);
other signs of poisoning (weakness, cephalgia, depressed consciousness, loss of appetite);

In adults, the infection is milder than in children, but as the pathology progresses and the condition worsens, there may be an increase in intoxication in the form of foam in the stool, high fever, and a rash. Added symptoms of dehydration.

Diarrhea is one of the main symptoms of the disease.

Disease classification

In medicine, a classification is accepted according to the localization of inflammation. Allocate enteritis and enterocolitis, toxic infection. The treatment of staphylococcus in the intestines in adults depends on the form of the disease. Comparative characteristics clinical forms of intestinal staphylococcus is reflected in the table.

According to the severity of symptoms, 4 stages of the development of the disease are distinguished: no symptoms, mild, pronounced, acute.

Treatment of the disease is determined taking into account the stage of the disease.

Diagnostics

To detect Staphylococcus aureus in the feces of an adult, a bacterial culture is performed. Any biomaterial (sputum, nasal mucus, intimate fluid, vomit, urine) can be used for research, but feces are the most effective way to analyze, since this is the main way to eliminate bacteria.

Thanks to sowing, it is possible to determine the number of bacteria, the type, resistance to drugs, the nature of the course of the disease. Make a prediction regarding colony forming units (CFU).

It is this criterion that determines the carriage or infection. CFU ≤ 1×104 means carrier, at 10×104 and more - disease. Indicators equal to 100×104 indicate the onset of sepsis and the need for urgent resuscitation.

After examination, the doctor determines diagnostic methods

Faecal coagulase is also analyzed. This is a toxic element that is released during the life of staphylococcus, which has a destructive effect on tissue cells. A complete blood count reveals inflammation, which is characterized by an increase in the level of leukocytes.

Methods of treatment

Treatment for intestinal staphylococcus is complex. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy, strengthening of immunity, restoration of bacterial balance are carried out. Supplements therapy with a course of vitamins and minerals.

Immediately upon hospitalization, rehabilitation therapy with Regidron or other saline solutions is prescribed. To stop vomiting, Cerucal can be taken (with the order of the doctor). For diarrhea - Loperamide. No-shpa, Dratoverin, Pentalgin will help eliminate pain and spasm.

Absorbent therapy is indicated. To get rid of intoxication prescribed Activated carbon, Smectu Enterosgel. With severe allergies, you can use Zirtek, Zodak.

The drug is prescribed to restore bowel function

Antibacterial therapy is the main stage of treatment. The average course is 7-10 days. Amoxiclav, Ceftobiprol, Vancomycin, Fuzidin, Chlorophyllipt (a plant preparation based on eucalyptus) have proven themselves positively with staphylococcus aureus in the intestine. In parallel, the strengthening of immunity by Immunal, Dibazol is shown. At severe course infections - antistaphylococcal immunoglobulin.

Restorative therapy with prebiotics is necessary, since antibiotics kill not only pathogenic flora. Duration of admission - from a month. You can use Linex, Bifidumbacterin, Bifiform. Vitaminization is mandatory - during the period of infection, the body loses vitamins of groups A, D and E to a greater extent.

Antibiotics are taken to fight infection

Treatment with a bacteriophage (a virus that kills bacteria) against Staphylococcus aureus in the intestine is popular. The drug has no prohibitions for use and adverse reactions. However, it is better for pregnant and lactating girls to consult a gynecologist. The medicine is taken one hour before the main meals. Dosages are individual, based on the weight and age of the patient. Reception is supplemented with nitrofurans (Enterofuril).

The practice of combined administration of a bacteriophage and antibacterial drugs is common.

Nutrition Features

The diet for Staphylococcus aureus in the intestines involves lean steam low-salt food (no more than 10 g of salt per day). Hard and coarse foods, fiber should be avoided. At the time of treatment, table No. 13 (unloading the gastrointestinal tract) is recommended, during recovery - No. 2 (light stimulation), in the future - No. 15 (rational nutrition).

The general principles include fractionality and frequency of supply. The purpose of the diet is to strengthen and restore the body. All natural products (vegetable and animal), including dairy products, are allowed. In this case, animal protein should prevail over vegetable, and complex carbohydrates twice as simple. Minimum fat (vegetable and butter).

Proper nutrition- a prerequisite for treatment

The restriction is imposed on the method of cooking (cannot be fried) and on semi-finished products, canned food, marinades, black bread, legumes, gas-forming products. Preference should be given to soups, cereals, soufflés, jelly, omelettes. From desserts, choose natural ones (honey, jam, marmalade). Plentiful drinking is shown. You can do everything except coffee and cocoa, purchased juices, alcohol.

At the recovery stage, you can eat foods that cause appetite (sour milk, fish and meat broths, tomato juice). You can replenish the missing vitamins with the help of carrots and spinach, nuts, tuna, greens.

It is important to remember that glucose, that is, sugar, is the main food of staphylococcus aureus.

The video talks about the symptoms and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus:

folk therapy

Treatment with folk remedies is an excellent addition to the main therapy against Staphylococcus aureus in the intestine. The following recipes are popular:

Fifteen-minute infusion of burdock and comfrey. The components are taken in equal proportions. Use three times a day until complete healing.
Propolis tincture (hold for a week). It has a stimulating effect, kills bacteria, reduces their resistance to drugs. Due to the presence of alcohol in the composition, it has many contraindications.
Rosehip decoction. Drink 200 ml per day in two sets (morning and evening).
Apricot puree. It has healing and antibacterial properties. Take after waking up and before bed.
Garlic and aloe. You can brew, squeeze juice, eat in its pure form.
Half an hour infusion of St. John's wort (two small spoons). Take 250 ml before meals in the morning and evening.
Fresh parsley and celery juice. Take on an empty stomach. You can have breakfast in 40 minutes.
Infusion of chamomile, calamus, coniferous cones, meadowsweet and oregano, fireweed, cyanosis, dill. The first 5 components are taken in 2 teaspoons, 6 - three, the last 2 - one at a time. Insist overnight, then strain three times. Drink half a glass before the main meals.

Propolis tincture - one of the folk remedies used

Complications

Complications can arise against the background of missing or incorrect treatment. Only a qualified professional can decide how to effectively and safely treat Staphylococcus aureus in the intestines in adults. Otherwise, a neglected infection may lead to the development of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (including chronic ones) or other organs.

The infection spreads throughout the body. The bacterium can be localized in respiratory organs or manifest as skin dermatitis.

The extreme variant of complications is severe intoxication, toxic shock and sepsis, death. To others possible complications includes pneumonia, inflammation of the mammary glands, tonsillitis, meningitis.

Lack of treatment can lead to serious problems with gastrointestinal tract

Prevention of pathology

Prevention is easier than treating Staphylococcus aureus in the intestines in adults. In order to prevent infection, the following rules should be observed:

vaccination;
strengthening immunity (physical activity, hardening, taking vitamins);
a balanced regime of work and rest;
anti-relapse treatment of chronic pathologies;
following personal and intimate hygiene;
adherence to food processing techniques.

Staphylococcus is one of the most common bacteria, but it becomes more difficult to treat it every year, due to the mutation of its genes.

Expert opinion

Doctor's opinion about staphylococcus:

Staphylococcus is a conditionally pathogenic flora; it is found in the intestines and on the skin, as well as in the oral cavity and lungs, etc. fine. It can be dangerous only when its uncontrolled growth begins, Staphylococcus aureus causes purulent inflammatory processes, and this occurs when immunity is reduced. Therefore, your child is not in danger if he is breastfed, as well as if the children did not touch each other's toys. It is advisable to treat the hands of children with antiseptic solutions at any contact or wipe them with wet wipes.

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Staphylococcus aureus is a very resistant bacteria. He is not afraid high temperatures, perfectly multiplies in the sweat gland, he is not afraid of ultraviolet and alcohols. In addition, the usual hydrogen peroxide used to treat wounds can cause an even greater increase in the number of bacteria, since the pathogen is able to extract oxygen from it and feed on it. But with all this, there is a simple and effective method of dealing with staphylococcus aureus. These are aniline dyes or the usual brilliant green. It is she who is recommended to treat wounds on the mucous membrane and skin in case of suspected infection with Staphylococcus aureus.

Hello, my name is Vasily. For 7 years I have been helping people with intestinal problems, working in the first private clinic Brno. I will be glad to answer your questions about the article in the comments, you can ask our doctors other questions on this page.

Staphylococci are a group of gram-positive bacteria that have a spherical or spherical shape.

Staphylococci are facultative anaerobes. These microorganisms are widely distributed throughout the world. Opportunistic forms of staphylococci are part of the normal microflora of human skin, and also colonize the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, etc.

Staphylococci aureus are pathogenic cocci. However, about 30-35% of the population the globe are permanent healthy carriers of this bacterium.

With a decrease in immunity, pathogenic staphylococci cause a wide range of diseases: from mild pyoderma to pyelonephritis, meningitis, pneumonia, etc.

The inflammatory process can affect the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, nervous systems, etc.

For medicine, 3 varieties of staphylococcus are of particular interest:

epidermal. It is a component of the normal microflora of the skin. Pathogenic bacteria are dangerous for people with reduced immunity, newborns and cancer patients.
Golden. Pathogenic staphylococci. This strain of staphylococcus is most often localized on the skin and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. The most dangerous are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, resistant to most antibiotics.
Saprophytic. Conditionally pathogenic staphylococcus aureus. May cause cystitis and urethritis.

Antibiotics for the treatment of staphylococcal infections should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor, based on the results of crops for the sensitivity of the pathogen to antimicrobials.

This is due to the fact that in recent years, pathogenic species of staphylococci have mutated and are characterized by increased resistance to antibiotics. For example, Staphylococcus aureus is able to break down β-lactam antibiotics with the help of a special enzyme - penicillinase. When getting rid of this type of pathogen, inhibitor-protected penicillins and some cephalosporins of the 2nd and 3rd generations have proven themselves well.

The main disadvantage of antibiotic drugs is their non-selectivity. After a long course of treatment, the qualitative and quantitative composition of intestinal microflora which leads to the development of dysbacteriosis. Antibiotics destroy beneficial microorganisms that promote the absorption of proteins, vitamins and trace elements, digestion of food, provide lipid metabolism and neutralize putrefactive bacteria and toxins.

Most often, the attending physician prescribes antibiotics for the treatment of such serious diseases as:

is an inflammatory process of bacterial origin that occurs in the kidneys.
Staphylococcal pneumonia is a severe inflammation of the lung tissue, in which the likelihood of developing sepsis is high.
Endocarditis - inflammation of the pericardium - inner shell hearts. Endocarditis has an infectious etiology. The disease is characterized by pronounced symptoms: fever, difficulty breathing, general weakness and chest pain.
Myocarditis is an inflammatory process in the heart muscle, most often associated with the action of a bacterial agent;
- purulent-necrotic process that affects the bone tissue;
Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response of the body to infection.
- an inflammatory process, predominantly of a bacterial nature, with localization in the outer, middle or inner ear;
- infectious and inflammatory lesions of the elements of the pharyngeal ring.

Antimicrobials that eradicate staphylococci

Inhibitor-protected and anti-staphylococcal penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones are the main drugs used in the treatment of staph infection.

The difficulty lies in the fact that there are methicillin-resistant S. aureus, which causes severe and difficult to treat diseases, such as sepsis and staphylococcal pneumonia. Microbiologists call it multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The medical community is sounding the alarm, because every year the number of resistant strains increases by an average of 10%. This data was obtained during scientific research held in the United States of America. When methicillin-resistant staphylococcus enters the body, the likelihood of lethal outcome increases sharply. However, even modern drugs latest generation do not guarantee complete eradication of pathogenic bacteria.

Clarithromycin ®

Azithromycin ®

it antibacterial drug a wide spectrum of activity related to azalides. Azithromycin ® is actively used in the treatment of otolaryngological diseases. It inhibits protein synthesis, blocks the growth and reproduction of pathogens.

It is used to treat pyoderma, bronchitis, otitis media, sinusitis, etc.

It is allowed to take during pregnancy, but only under the supervision of a doctor. Treatment of staphylococcus with Azithromycin ® during breastfeeding is unacceptable.

Vancomycin ®

Tricyclic antibiotic from the group of glycopeptides. Refers to reserve drugs for antimicrobial therapy against Staphylococcus aureus and other multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Vancomycin ® is aggressive against many resistant strains, and its bactericidal effect is due to the inhibition of the biosynthesis of the cell wall of the pathogenic microorganism. It is contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy. In the later stages, it is taken only in the absence of alternative methods of treatment.

Amoxicillin ®

This is a semi-synthetic broad-spectrum drug related to penicillins. The acid that is part of it is obtained from mold cultures. These organic compounds are highly active against staphylococcus (with the exception of penicillinase-producing strains).

Amoxicillin ® is often prescribed as a prophylaxis. Its reception allows to avoid postoperative complications. The bioavailability index medicinal substance higher than most analogues. The antibiotic crosses the placental barrier, excreted in small amounts in breast milk.

Not recommended for patients with infectious mononucleosis; during the period of recurrence of Epstein-Barr chronic carriage and cytomegalovirus infections; in the presence of renal and hepatic insufficiency; in patients with beta-lactam intolerance. The drug is incompatible with alcohol.

Lincomycin ®

is an antibiotic for the treatment of staphylococcus of the third generation of fluoroquinolones. It is indicated for staphylococcal pneumonia, tuberculosis, sinusitis and pyelonephritis.

Like all fluoroquinolone preparations, it is quite toxic.

Not applicable to the treatment of patients:

under 18 years of age;
pregnant and breastfeeding women;
With hemolytic anemia, epilepsy, diseases of the joints and ligamentous apparatus.

Administered with caution to patients old age due to age-related decline in kidney function.

Roxithromycin ®

Alternative Treatments

Bacterial lysates contribute to the active production of antibodies against staphylococcus aureus. They are safe, non-addictive and have no side effects.
Staphylococcal toxoid forms anti-staphylococcal immunity, forcing the body to fight not only against bacteria, but also against its toxin. Anatoxin is injected for 10 days.
Vaccination against staphylococcus aureus is permissible from the age of six months. Staphylococcal toxoid is a neutralized and purified staphylococcus toxin. When administered, it promotes the formation of specific antibodies to exotoxins produced by staphylococcus aureus. Applicable for children older than one year. Vaccination is used routinely for agricultural and industrial workers, surgical patients, and donors. The frequency of administration and the intervals between them depend on the purpose of vaccination.
Galavit ® is an immunomodulatory drug with anti-inflammatory action, which has proven itself in the eradication of resistant strains of staphylococcus aureus. It has a complex effect, increasing the protective functions of the body and destroying pathogenic microorganisms. It is produced in the form of a powder, with the aim of preparing a solution for intramuscular injection (used in patients over 18 years of age), in tablet form and in the form of suppositories for rectal administration. Galavit ® is approved for use from 6 years of age. Not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Chlorophyllipt ®- it's antiseptic medicine, which relieves inflammation and contains a mixture of chlorophylls from eucalyptus leaves. A weakly concentrated solution is taken orally with infectious lesions intestines. For the treatment of the skin, solutions with a higher concentration of the drug are prepared. Chlorophyllipt ® is prescribed for adults and children over 12 years of age.

Did you know that staph is the only cause of blackheads or acne?

are non-motile, non-nuclear, Gram-positive bacteria that cause infectious diseases. FROM medical point of interest are only a few species of the family Staphylococcaceae, which include Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus, what is it?

Microorganisms are ubiquitous throughout in large numbers found in the air and soil, colonize the skin and internal organs animals.

Morphologically, bacteria are balls 0.6-1.2 µm in size. Some species produce coloring pigments. Colonies of Staphylococcus aureus have a yellow or golden hue.

Pathogenic and opportunistic staphylococci

Pathogenic bacteria produce aggressive and protective agents - toxins, adhesins, enzymes.

The severity of staphylococcal infections depends on many factors - the type of bacteria, the affected organ, the massiveness of the infection, the status of the human immune system.

Staphylococci are part of the normal human microflora, inhabit various areas bodies - skin, mouth, nasopharynx, perineum, axillary region, gastrointestinal tract.

With normal immunity and the absence of provoking factors, bacteria do no harm. Their activation and transition to a pathogenic quality occurs with a decrease in immunity, damage to the skin and mucous membranes with other disease-provoking factors.

The pathogenicity of staphylococci is based on 3 properties:

adhesiveness (the ability to attach to the cells of the body);
colonization (reproduction on the media on which they are fixed);
invasiveness (penetration into tissues and organs, production of biologically active agents).

The optimal temperature for the life of staphylococcus is 30-37 ° C. The ability to grow and reproduce is maintained in the range of 4-43 ° C, but bacteria can survive in much more severe conditions.

Parameters of extreme environments and the lifetime of staphylococci

Environment settings	Time of existence
Temperature 60 °C	1.0 hour
Temperature 80 °C	30 minutes (some strains)
Temperature 150 °C	10 minutes (some strains)
solar ultraviolet radiation	10-12 hour
Phenol solution (3%)	0.15-2 hour
dried state	About 6 months
Pus	Some years
6-10% saline solution	long time
Chloramine solution (1%)	2-5 minutes
ethanol	Pure alcohol resistance

The ability of bacteria to survive in a salt solution makes canned food contaminated by them dangerous. No other bacteria have this property.

Varieties of bacteria

The genus of staphylococci includes 27 species. Some of them have several subspecies. Infections in humans are caused by only five microorganisms:

Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus) is the most pathogenic species, causing about 100 diseases.
(S. Epidermidis) - present in the microflora of the skin of many healthy people.
Staphylococcus lugdunensis is an opportunistic bacterium that manifests its pathogenicity mainly in implants.
Staphylococcus saprophytic (S. Saprophyticus). It mainly infects the urinary tract.
Staphylococcus warneri. It is usually localized in the esophagus, the disease rarely causes, it is activated in the presence of artificial valves, intravenous catheters, ventriculocerebral shunts. Able to provoke endocarditis, osteomyelitis, conjunctivitis.

An important feature of staphylococci is the synthesis of coagulase, a blood-clotting pathogenic enzyme. Depending on the ability to produce plasmacoagulase, staphylococci are divided into coagulase-negative and coagulase-positive. The latter are more pathogenic.

Saprophytic, lugdunensis, epidermal and warneri are coagulase-negative staphylococci. They often colonize human mucous membranes and skin and usually do not cause disease.

Features of Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is the most dangerous type of staphylococcus. The bacterium causes purulent-inflammatory processes in the vital important organs with the development of severe complications that can lead to death.

- coagulase-positive bacterium. Produces plasmacoagulase in 2 forms - associated with the cell wall and free. With the help of the first, staphylococcus protects itself from phagocytes, surrounded by a barrier of coagulated blood. Free coagulase, together with the cofactor contained in the blood plasma, forms coagulase thrombin, which causes thrombosis.

In healthy people (carriers), staphylococcus is usually present in the nasal cavity (in 70-90% of cases), less often in the larynx, armpits, perineum (5-20%), gastrointestinal tract, and on the scalp.

Workers become chronic carriers of staphylococcus aureus medical institutions(35%), as well as people suffering from atopic dermatitis, drug addicts.

The most common are hospital strains of S. Aureus. After hospitalization, 20–30% of patients become their carriers. In most cases, the infection develops as a result of manipulations that violate the integrity of the skin, antibiotic therapy, hemodialysis, and treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes.

Staphylococcus aureus is able to form microcapsules - small (0.2 microns) round formations with a clearly defined contour. The capsules are attached to the wall of the bacteria and protect them from damage and drying out.

Some strains of Staphylococcus aureus (most often hospital ones) acquire resistance to certain antibiotics - cephalosporins and penicillins ( Oxacillin, Methicillin, Nafcillin, Dicloxacillin). They are called methicillin-resistant (MRSA).

Ways of transmission of the pathogen

contact (through hands and things);
airborne (when talking, sneezing, coughing);
alimentary (when eating food infected with staphylococcus aureus);
from mother to child.

Medical institutions play an important role in the spread of staphylococcal diseases. Sources of hospital infections are patients and bacteria carriers among the medical staff. Transmission of bacteria through medical instruments is common.

staph infection

Ability to affect various organs and tissues human body, which distinguishes Staphylococcus aureus, is called multiple organ tropism.

Localization	Diseases
Skin, subcutaneous tissue	Staphyloderma, boils, carbuncles, pyoderma, felons, paronychia, phlegmon, mastitis, epidemic pemphigus, impetigo
lymph nodes	Lymphadenitis
Respiratory system	Staphylococcal bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia
Laryngootorhinological organs	Sinusitis, otitis media, tonsillitis, tonsillitis
Hepatobiliary system	Cholangitis, cholecystitis
Eyes	Corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis
Musculoskeletal system	Myositis, arthritis, osteomyelitis
gastrointestinal tract	food poisoning
Brain	Meningitis, abscesses
genitourinary system	Urethritis, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, prostatitis, cystitis and so on

The most common diseases

Skin lesions are among the most common staphylococcal infections. Boils, pustular diseases, carbuncles, pyoderma are leading in frequency of occurrence.

Food infection (staphylococcal toxicosis). The disease develops and manifests itself rapidly - cramping pains, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea - 3-6 hours after ingestion of infected food. In most cases, after 5-7 days, self-healing occurs.

Acute and chronic pneumonia. Acute form of staphylococcal pneumonia are 5-10% of all patients with pneumonia.

The infection is manifested by severe intoxication, shortness of breath, subfebrile temperature with chills, cough with purulent sputum. The disease is dangerous pleural complications. The high-risk group includes the elderly and young children.

Staphylococcal bronchitis. Usually begins with infection of the upper respiratory tract, then the trachea and bronchi.

Osteomyelitis. Occurs when staphylococcus enters bones (usually damaged ones) with blood or from a neighboring focus of infection. In adults, the vertebrae are most often affected, in children, tubular bones.

Meningitis. Inflammation of the lining of the spinal cord and brain with the risk of abscess formation. Manifested by severe headache, hyperesthesia, impaired consciousness. Possible coma. The most typical symptom of meningitis is neck stiffness (tilting the head back and difficulty returning it to its normal position).

General symptoms

The general is caused by intoxication of the body with a characteristic clinical picture.

poor health, physical and mental weakness;
chills, fever(up to 39 °C);
loss of appetite, nausea;
headache, dizziness;
decrease in blood pressure;
sleep disturbance.

The disease can pass into generalized forms - septicopyemia or sepsis. Generalization of the infection is caused in the organs - the liver, lungs, bones, kidneys and others, creating foci of infection there. Diseases are accompanied by discomfort, pain, organ dysfunction.

Severe complications - meningitis, cerebral edema, sepsis can cause loss of consciousness and coma.

Diagnostics

Clinical picture

Doctor medical sciences, Professor Gandelman G. Sh.:

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When diagnosing a staph infection, four goals must be achieved by establishing:

type of pathogen;
the location of the infection;
the degree of infection;
susceptibility of staphylococcus to antibiotics.

Biomaterial for research

Depending on the type and location of staphylococcal infection, the following are used as biological material:

secretions of mucous membranes (most often in the nasopharynx);
sputum;
wound contents (pus and inflammatory exudate);
blood (with sepsis);
urine;
bile;
liquor.

With food infections, vomit and food debris are examined for the presence of staphylococcus aureus.

Bacterioscopy

Smears are made from the selected biomaterials and examined under a microscope. Both non-fixed (live) and fixed (dead, but retaining the structure) bacteria can be subjected to bacterioscopic examination.

Staphylococcus aureus is identified by the color of the colonies, the spherical shape of the bacteria and the arrangement in the form of clusters. In the initial stage of colonization, microorganisms can be located singly, in pairs, or in groups of four).

Isolation of pure staphylococci

The next stage of diagnosis is the sowing of biomaterials on selective for S. Aureus and other staphylococci (in the case of differential diagnosis) media (blood agar, HSA, MHSA), isolation pure species staphylococci and their identification.

The isolated bacteria are checked for morphological (shape, size, location) and tinctorial (color) properties, as well as other necessary tests.

Tests

The most important test for diagnosing Staphylococcus aureus is the free coagulase test. If it is positive, then S. aureus infection is present.

In the general analysis of blood in the presence of infection, leukocytosis is detected.

Serological studies (ELISA, RNGA, RA)

Serological tests are carried out if it was not possible to identify the pathogen by bacterioscopic and bacteriological methods. They consist in the detection in the blood plasma of antigens inherent in Staphylococcus aureus. Enzyme immunoassay, RA, RNGA are used.

In some cases, there may be a need for PCR diagnostics - the determination of the causative agent of the disease by DNA.

Determination of the massiveness of seeding

Quantitative indicators of infection are established by inoculation of the biomaterial for JSA, counting the number of colonies and determining the CFU value. The latter stands for "colony-forming units" and is expressed as the number of bacterial colonies. For example, the value 5×10⁶ (5 times 10 to the 6th power) indicates high intensity infections.

Treatment

Used to treat staphylococcal infections A complex approach. Antibacterial, immunostimulating, symptomatic, detoxification and surgical (excision purulent abscesses) treatment.

The basis of the treatment of infections is antibiotic therapy. Drugs are prescribed on the basis of tests for the sensitivity of the pathogen. Most often, these are beta-lactam agents ( Methicillin, Oxacillin), less often tetracyclines, cephalosporins I and II generation.

In the case of methicillin-resistant strains of staphylococcus, prescribe Vancomycin, Fluoroquinolones, semi-synthetic penicillins, III and IV generation cephalosporins.

For minor skin lesions, antibiotic ointments are used.

Severe infections in combination with anti-staphylococcal plasma and immunoglobulins, staphylococcal toxoid and bacteriophage.

With meningoencephalitis, abscessing pneumonia with many purulent foci, sepsis, the appointment of two antibiotics at the maximum dose for the appropriate age is indicated.

With a mild course of the disease, they are limited to symptomatic and immunostimulating therapy.

Dysbacteriosis caused by food poisoning is treated with pre- and probiotics.

When does an aureus infection not need to be treated?

The need for antibiotic therapy in patients with staphylococcus aureus and sanitation in bacteria carriers is determined by a combination of two factors - the clinical picture and CFU.

Sanitation of carriers is carried out if CFU exceeds 10 to the 3rd degree. It is believed that in this case, bacteria from the nasopharynx begin to actively spread in the air.

If CFU exceeds 10 to the 4th degree, antibiotic therapy is prescribed. Lower CFU and no clinical manifestations speaks in favor of refusing to take antibiotics in the hope of the immune system. Immunostimulating therapy can be prescribed to increase the body's defenses.

Massive infection with staphylococcus, characterized by CFU above 10 to 5 degrees, as a rule, is accompanied by a pronounced clinic and requires mandatory treatment antibiotics.

The most common antibiotics, susceptibility

At staphylococcal therapy The following antibiotics are most commonly used.

A drug	Main action
Erythromycin, Claritomycin, Clindamycin	They block the synthesis of bacterial proteins, causing the death of staphylococcus aureus.
Amoxicillin	Acts bacterioscopically, stops the production of peptidoglycan, preventing the reproduction of staphylococcus aureus
Oxacillin, cefotaxime	Violate the division of staphylococcus cells, stopping their reproduction
Baneocin	Ointment based on bacitracin and neomycin. Used to treat skin lesions of staphylococcus aureus.
Mupirocin	An ointment containing active substances bonaderm, baktroban and supirocin. Used for skin treatment.
Vancomycin	Drug for intravenous use. Blocks the components that make up the bacterial cell.
Cloxacillin	Stops the reproduction of staphylococcus by damaging their membranes.
Cefalexin, Cefazolin	Destroy the walls of bacteria, contributing to their capture by phagocytes.

Prevention

Measures for the prevention of staphylococcus are divided into two groups:

undertaken at the state level;
private.

State bodies carry out planned and unscheduled activities aimed at preventing infection with staphylococcus aureus.

Control of the sanitary and epidemiological regime in polyclinics. Maintenance of departments with patients affected by purulent-inflammatory staphylococcal infections should be carried out by separate personnel.
Scheduled examination of the personnel of maternity hospitals, surgical and infectious diseases departments. Timely detection of carriers of resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and their removal from work.
Immunization of people at risk for Staphylococcus aureus with adsorbed toxoid and immunoglobulins.

The main measures of personal prevention:

personal hygiene (clean hands, wet cleaning at least 2 times a week, properly prepared food);
timely treatment of infectious diseases - dental caries, boils, tonsillitis, inflammation of the adenoids and tonsils, urethritis and others;
avoidance of crowded places at the peak of respiratory diseases;
refusal to use dairy, meat and confectionery products that are stored improperly, especially in hot weather;
immediate treatment of skin wounds with antiseptics, applying a bandage or patch to them;
refusal to visit beauty salons and dental clinics, which do not pay due attention to the disinfection of medical instruments.

The danger of staphylococci lies not only in complications, but also in the appearance of superbugs that are resistant to most antibiotics.

The video features more detailed information about Staphylococcus aureus, including antibiotic-resistant strains:

So far, there are few pathogenic strains that are absolutely resistant to any antibiotic therapy. The massive abuse of antibiotics makes the threat of superinfection very real.

Staphylococcus aureus is a spherical bacterium belonging to the genus Staphylococcus aureus. For the first time this microorganism was discovered in 1880 by the Scottish surgeon Alexander Ogston in the composition of pus pumped out from surgical abscesses. Staphylococcus got its name due to its appearance: unlike many colorless bacteria, representatives of this species have a golden hue due to the presence of pigments of the carotenoid group.

According to statistics, the presence of this microorganism is detected on the skin and on the mucous epithelium of the upper respiratory tract in 20% of the population. Staphylococcus aureus is considered the main causative agent of a number of diseases, ranging from skin infections (, boils, carbuncles, phlegmon) and ending with such deadly dangerous pathologies like, endocarditis, osteomyelitis and sepsis.

Symptoms of Staphylococcus aureus

In the process of life, staphylococcus produces various enzymes and toxins that have a detrimental effect on the human body. For example, staphylococcal toxin exfoliatin can damage skin cells, enterotoxin can cause symptoms of food poisoning, and leukocidin can destroy white blood cells. For this reason, the symptoms of diseases provoked by Staphylococcus aureus vary significantly and depend on the localization of the focus of infection, the presence or absence of concomitant diseases in a sick person, on the state of his immunity and on the degree of exposure to environmental factors.

Infection with Staphylococcus aureus of the skin is accompanied by the appearance of impetigo, acne, acne, phlegmon, boils, carbuncles or abscesses on the surface of the skin. Getting on the mucous epithelium of the throat or, a staphylococcal infection provokes the occurrence of otitis media, sinusitis and other inflammatory pathologies of the upper respiratory tract or upper respiratory tract.

With the defeat of Staphylococcus aureus, the lungs develop, characterized by the appearance of shortness of breath and chest pain, severe intoxication of the body and the formation of lung tissues many purulent formations, gradually transforming into abscesses. With the breakthrough of abscesses into the pleural cavity, suppuration of the pleura (empyema) develops. The entry of Staphylococcus aureus into the region of the brain is one of the causes of the development of meningitis or thrombophlebitis of the cerebral veins.