Pathogenic staphylococci: causes, symptoms, treatment. The influence of immunity on the development of infection. The well-known staphylococcus - what is it really? If staphylococcus is not treated, what are the consequences?

Why are staphylococci dangerous? Diseases caused by staphylococci

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The study of the microflora of the body is useful not only in clarifying its positive qualities (in fact, the populations of some microbes that make up the microflora of the body perform a number of extremely important and beneficial functions for the body, for example, the synthesis of vitamins), but also because it allows us to prevent certain diseases, which arise when the microflora transitions to an aggressive state.

Diseases caused by staphylococci occur extremely often. For the most part, these are banal suppurations or food poisoning, which happen to all people without exception. However, in some cases, staph infection can be severe and even life-threatening. Below we will talk about the main forms of diseases caused by staphylococci (including Staphylococcus aureus), but first we will look at the conditions that make it possible for the “peaceful” microflora to transition into the state of “disease pathogen”.

In reality, there is a constant struggle between the human body and the microflora inhabiting it: microbes try to attack the organs and tissues of the body, which in turn is protected using its own defense mechanisms. At the same time, under the influence of the protection mechanisms described below, the number of microbes practically does not increase, but only decreases, and the microbes themselves are unable to show all their aggressiveness. The main mechanisms of protection of the human body are, first of all, the immune system, secondly, normal metabolism and the normal functioning of vital organs, and thirdly, the integrity of the mucous membranes and skin of the body.

If at least one of these lines of defense of the body is violated, the microbes “go on a counterattack”, and in this case one or another infectious disease occurs.

The main forms of diseases caused by staphylococci

1. Food poisoning caused by contamination of food with staphylococcal toxins;
2. Staphylococcal infection with damage to the skin (skin) and mucous membranes - “superficial infections”;


3. Staphylococcal infections with damage to internal organs;


4. Septic forms of staphylococcal infection are “blood poisoning.”

Food poisoning caused by staphylococci is a very common form of food infection. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the main types of staphylococci that cause poisoning. As a rule, food contamination with microbes occurs due to failure to comply with basic rules for preparing and storing food. Conditions that favor the production of staphylococcal toxins are warmth and the presence of nutrients. Food contaminated with staphylococci can become poisoned (spoiled) within a few hours (usually 10 hours or more) of being in a warm place. Food poisoning is often observed when eating dairy products, meat, and broths.

In order to prevent the occurrence of food poisoning, you must, firstly, follow the rules for preparing and storing food (food must be stored in the cold), and secondly, do not eat food of dubious origin or products whose quality you doubt.

Symptoms of food poisoning caused by staphylococci is: acute diarrhea (loose stools up to 10 times or more), acute “stabbing” and “twisting” pain in the abdomen, false urge to defecate, slight increase in temperature, possibly vomiting. In adults, as a rule, such poisonings occur without any particular complications. If children show signs of food poisoning (see above), parents should be extremely vigilant and, if possible, consult a doctor. In young children, such poisoning can be very serious and dangerous.

How to treat food poisoning caused by staphylococci?

Like the treatment of any other food poisoning, treatment of food poisoning caused by staphylococci should begin with gastric lavage. Adults and older children can rinse the stomach on their own; younger children need help by pressing on the root of the tongue with a spoon.

To lavage the stomach, you can simply use warm boiled water, but tea or a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate in boiled water is better. Adults need to drink up to a liter of this solution and then induce vomiting. Children are given a drinking solution in quantities in which they are able to drink it. It is best to repeat the washing two or three times until the vomit contains no particles of spoiled food that still contains toxins.

In order to prevent dehydration throughout the entire period of illness, you need to keep drinking plenty of fluids - this is especially important for children. You can abstain from food for a while or eat baked fruits and crackers.

You can use anti-diarrhea medications like Loperamide, but with great caution and for a very short time. If an adult's diarrhea does not go away after taking 1-2 capsules, you should consult a doctor, as it is quite possible that the diarrhea is caused by another infection.

Taking antibiotics or other antibacterial drugs during staphylococcal poisoning is not prescribed, since the microbes themselves that enter the intestines are not dangerous for humans, and antibiotics do not affect the activity of toxins.

Note that the symptoms of food poisoning caused by staphylococci last no more than 2 days (if all the measures described above are taken). If diarrhea (diarrhea) continues for more than two days or, against the background of ongoing diarrhea, the temperature rises or traces of blood appear in the stool, you should immediately consult a doctor.

The best way to prevent staphylococcal poisoning is to follow hygienic rules for preparing and storing food.

– characterized by purulent lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. In this article we will describe only the general symptoms and principles of treatment of such infections. Skin staphylococcal infections are also often caused by Staphylococcus aureus, which inhabits the skin and mucous membranes in abundance.

Staphylococcal sore throat

It is an inflammation of the tonsils caused by staphylococci. It is impossible to determine the staphylococcal nature of a sore throat with the naked eye, therefore, to clarify the diagnosis, a microbiological examination must be carried out. The main symptoms of staphylococcal sore throat are a sore throat, which worsens when swallowing, soreness and enlargement of the lymph nodes, and increased body temperature. The course of staphylococcal tonsillitis is favorable, however, in some cases complications may occur in the form of abscesses or phlegmons, which require urgent surgical treatment.

When a sore throat occurs, it is best to see a doctor and receive a course of treatment appropriate to the severity of the disease. In some cases, antibiotics are prescribed to treat sore throat.

Staphyloderma

This is a type of diffuse microbial skin lesion. The main symptoms (manifestations) of staphyloderma are: the presence of inflamed pustules located on various parts of the skin scattered and grouped, boils, barley, etc. There can be many reasons for the occurrence of staphyloderma: failure to comply with personal hygiene rules, hormonal changes in the body of adolescents, disruption of the endocrine system. In all cases of skin staphylococcal infections, you cannot take any treatment measures at home - this is fraught with serious consequences. Do not squeeze out boils(especially those located on the face), and you should not take antibiotics on your own. On the other hand, timely contact with a doctor (dermatologist, surgeon, family doctor) contributes to a speedy resolution of the problem and prevents many undesirable consequences.

Felon

This is an inflammation of the skin fold around the nail. This inflammation is also often caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Typically, the occurrence of panaritium is promoted by minor damage to the skin (for example, when applying a manicure) around the nail. The symptoms of felon are known to everyone - redness and inflammation of the skin around the nail, severe pain in the inflamed finger, and possibly a slight increase in temperature. Panaritium can also occur with inflammation of the nail bed (paronychia), as well as with deep penetration of infection (even necrosis of the bone of the phalanx of the finger can develop). Panaritium itself is not dangerous - its complications associated with the spread of infection are dangerous. The most dangerous panaritium is on the thumb and middle fingers, as well as on the little finger. The anatomical structure of the tendons of these fingers predisposes to the spread of infection, so felon on these fingers can lead to the formation of phlegmon of the forearm and hand.

The felon should not be squeezed out or opened independently.. With a simple panaritium, the patient can be helped by rinsing the finger in a concentrated saline solution, as well as local application of antimicrobial ointments: levomikol, Vishnevsky ointment, etc.

Staphylococcal infections affecting internal organs

As a rule, they are a consequence of the spread of infection from the primary focus or the primary penetration of staphylococci into a specific organ. The most common cases are staphylococcal pyelonephritis, staphylococcal cystitis or urethritis. Staphylococcal enteritis is possible in young children. In some cases, staphylococcal endocarditis may occur.

Staphylococcal infections of internal organs are manifested by specific signs of damage to a particular organ (for example, lower back pain with pyelonephritis, pain in the lower abdomen with cystitis), as well as nonspecific signs of infection: increased body temperature, fatigue, weakness.

Diagnosis and treatment of staphylococcal infections of internal organs is a matter for specialists. Most often, a course of antibiotics is used to treat such diseases. The dose of antibiotic and duration of treatment is determined by the attending physician.

Septic forms of staphylococcal infection

They always lead to an extremely serious condition for the patient. This condition is also called blood poisoning. Blood poisoning can occur due to the penetration of a large number of microbes and their toxins into the blood. This can happen due to attempts to independently treat a boil or other purulent disease caused by Staphylococcus aureus. In women, severe toxic-septic shock can develop due to the use of vaginal tampons during menstruation.

In case of blood poisoning, the patient’s condition sharply worsens, the temperature rises sharply, the amount of urine excreted decreases, the pulse quickens, and a rash may appear on the skin. In such cases, the patient must be urgently hospitalized, because blood poisoning or toxic-septic shock are deadly conditions. Treatment of these diseases is carried out under the strict supervision of doctors.

Bibliography:

1. Kuznetsova E.A. Microbial flora of the oral cavity and its role in the development of pathological processes, M., 1996


2. Medical microbiology, Military Medical Academy, St. Petersburg, 1999


3. Diagnosis and treatment of major infectious diseases in modern conditions, Minsk, 1990


Before use, you should consult a specialist.

Staphylococcus is a particularly dangerous pathogenic microbe and is often found in nature.

If an infection is associated with some disease, then it is quite possible that it was brought in by him. When staphylococcus appears, its symptoms are immediately visible. They can either manifest themselves in the form of food poisoning or affect internal organs.

There are several types of staphylococci:

• Golden;
• Epidermal;
• Saprophytic.

In addition, they have different strains, which may differ in their aggressiveness. The most dangerous is Staphylococcus aureus, the symptoms of which are especially vivid and can cause various infections almost anywhere in a person.

What can infect this microorganism?

1. Subcutaneous tissue, skin;
2. Digestive and respiratory organs;
3. Cardiovascular system;
4. Urinary tract, genitals;
5. Bones, joints;
6. Central nervous system.

Where does this insidious microbe come from and what does it attack?

Bacteria can be anywhere. It is present in the external environment and can be spread by the carrier of this microflora.

This species is resistant to external factors; it can exist even in a dried state. And the saddest thing is that antibiotics have practically no effect on him.

Most often, this microorganism settles on the mucous membranes and skin, so you need to be extremely careful so that the infection does not spread through the bloodstream and affect internal organs.

1. Pyoderma;
2. Folliculitis;
3. Boils and carbuncles;
4. Ritter's disease;
5. Epidemic pemphigus;
6. Abscesses, phlegmons;
7. Meningitis;
8. Staphylococcal pneumonia;
9. Osteomyelitis;
10. Endocarditis;
11. Purulent arthritis;
12. Sepsis.

If staphylococcus symptoms in an infant are visible almost immediately, most often it is pyoderma. There may be coughing and sneezing, conjunctivitis and even sepsis.

Symptoms for each type

• Skin - boils, carbuncles;
• Mucous membrane – all the symptoms of a cold plus conjunctivitis;
• Constantly red throat - staphylococcal sore throat;
• Intestinal view - symptoms of poisoning;
• Sepsis - symptoms of gray skin, breast refusal, vomiting, high fever, insomnia.

Staphylococcus is not dangerous if the infection is dormant, but when activated, it turns into a real nightmare. A newborn can receive microbes from the mother or in the maternity hospital itself, if the strain is preserved there, after which they begin to multiply in a weak body.

Causes of infection in a baby:

1. Weakened immunity and premature birth;
2. Mom is a carrier of infection;
3. Long anhydrous period during childbirth;
4. Previously artificial feeding;
5. Difficult birth, malnutrition of the baby;
6. Lack of hygiene, improper care.

These and other reasons allow microorganisms to quickly spread through mother's milk, linen or hygiene items.

How the infection may manifest itself:

• Liquid greenish stool, possibly with foam;
• Baby's anxiety;
• Redness, blisters, and crusts form in place of the pustules.

Complications of such diseases can be: endocarditis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia and even abscesses.

How to prevent the disease in infants:

1. Strengthening the immunity of mother and child;
2. Treatment of nipples to avoid cracks;
3. Cleanliness of clothing and hygiene items;
4. Disinfection in the room, treatment if necessary with a quartz lamp;
5. It is necessary to handle the baby only with clean hands.

Staphylococcus in adults, manifestations of sore throat

You can become infected with this infection by eating food, by air or by contact. Stale food is a common site of infection. In the heat you need to be especially careful, because germs can be anywhere.

When staphylococcus is in the throat, it may not give any visible symptoms at all until the person gets an infection. Then it simply cannot be cured by anything. Those who have encountered a similar problem sometimes throw a lot of money down the drain in order to get cured until they realize to get tested for staphylococcus. Some people calmly coexist with this microbe, while others, whose immunity is weakened, constantly get sick.

Symptoms of the presence of staphylococcus in sore throat:

• Dizziness and headache;
• Swelling, pus on the tonsils, redness of the throat;
• Ulcers may occur on the oral mucosa;
• Pain when swallowing, increased temperature.

You cannot cure such an infection in one or two days.

Naturally, antibiotics are prescribed, and here the doctor needs to make the right decision, because Staphylococcus aureus in the throat can only be treated with a certain type:

Vancomycin, linezolid, ofloaccin, ceftriaxone, amoxiclav, ammetatsilin are antibiotics for the treatment of this infection.

The course of therapy lasts on average 5-7 days, after which tests are taken. It happens that antibiotics are resistant to this type, then the doctor will prescribe another medicine.

Antipyretic and painkillers are needed. You can also gargle with decoctions of sage and chamomile.

In addition, they use such tools as:

• Chlorophyllipt;
• Gramidin;
• Chlorhexidine;
• IRS-19;
• Propolis;
• And also immunomodulators.

Some people ask how to treat staphylococcus in the throat if the diseases follow one after another. It is necessary to raise immunity, then almost all diseases will bypass.

Medicines such as:

• Immunal;
• Ginseng;
• Schisandra;
• Echinacea;
• Polyoxidonium.

It is mandatory to take vitamins containing groups of drugs A, B and C. For example, they can be:

1. Vitrum;
2. Biomax;
3. Pikovit for children.

It is useful to take tea from currants, rose hips, and lemon. They provide the necessary vitamin boost if there is no money for expensive vitamins and medicines.

A person who has a strong immune system and does not have problems with the mucous membranes of the nose and throat is unlikely to encounter an infection.

Therefore, you need to prevent sore throats, avoid a runny nose and cough, and also remove the adenoids, if they are the problem.

For prevention, you can use an aqueous solution of sea salt to strengthen the mucous membrane.

Where and how we treat

Typically, treatment for Staphylococcus aureus in the throat is carried out at home. But in severe cases, parents whose children are under 3 years old are offered hospital treatment. This is done because there is a high risk of spreading the infection, which can lead to complications.

Other microbes can enter the body, sepsis can begin, and if a person has other chronic diseases, then there is a possibility that the condition will worsen.

The doctor must constantly monitor the patient and carry out special procedures to improve well-being. In severe cases, the course of treatment can last up to 4 weeks. Since antibiotics are used in treatment, it is better to take the course of treatment in a hospital. For a throat infection, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and vitamins may be prescribed.

If there is a staphylococcal infection in the throat, then what is the prevention of such a disease.

It is necessary to submit bacterial cultures from the throat. They are taken from both children and adults during each medical examination. You can take the culture yourself if you have frequent colds. Such analyzes are carried out at the SES.

• The earlier a carrier is identified, the better, and he himself may not get sick, but infect others. Carriers are often medical workers due to their professional activities.
• Maintaining hygiene. It is mandatory to wear a mask during epidemics and when working with infants. Hand washing and using only a personal towel.

• It is necessary to cure all chronic foci of infection (carious teeth, chronic sinusitis, ARVI and tonsillitis). Before planning a pregnancy, the mother undergoes a medical examination, where she is recommended to visit doctors for a detailed examination.
• The disease likes to join an existing infection, so it is necessary to cure: sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, caries and remove tartar.
• It is imperative to increase immunity, since staphylococcus is active only in people with reduced vital functions of the body. To do this, you need to make up for the lack of vitamins B, C, A, and drink immunomodulators.
• You should not take antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription, firstly, they cause dysbiosis, which leads to a decrease in immunity and the emergence of active pathogenic microflora, and secondly, not all antibiotics help with staphylococcus, so taking them may be completely in vain.

Application of bacteriophage and toxoid

If staphylococcus appears in the throat, treatment should be started immediately, because a patient with chronic, sluggish sore throat literally melts before our eyes. He does not have the strength to fight the infection, and at the same time it quickly spreads everywhere.

It is necessary to irrigate and rinse with special antimicrobial decoctions of the oral cavity in order to cleanse the tonsils as best as possible and reduce the activity of the virus. The doctor may prescribe a staphylococcal bacteriophage to be taken to dissolve the bacterial membrane and improve the penetration of antibiotics.

It is used for all diseases in which the carrier of infection is staphylococcus. Bacteriophage for angina is used for rinsing 1 bottle 4 times a day for a week.

In addition, the doctor may prescribe staphylococcal toxoid 5 injections every other day at a dosage of 0.5 ml subcutaneously.

After treatment, a bacterial culture for microflora is done a month later; if the infection has not been cured, then vaccination with staphylococcal toxoid is carried out according to a special scheme.

Epidermal and saprophytic staphylococcus may not be treated. Antibiotics are not used for these carriers.

• Pregnant women who can be immunized with toxoid at 32-36 weeks.
• Elderly people are also predisposed to infection, especially those with diseases such as rheumatism, diabetes, eczema, and cancer.
• Any people, both adults and children, whose immunity is reduced.
• Medical workers, catering workers, by virtue of their profession.

The study of staphylococcal microorganisms began in the 19th century by the outstanding French biologist Louis Pasteur. In his works, he revealed a clear connection between the presence of coccal bacteria and the onset of a purulent inflammatory process. Since then, scientists have conducted many microbiological studies of such flora, during which more than twenty strains of staphylococci were discovered.

ABOUT THE PATIENT

When infected with staphylococcus, a person can experience more than a hundred different diseases. This happens due to:

• very wide distribution of bacteria in the environment and on the surface of the human body;
• the high pathogenicity of some strains of microorganisms, which even in low concentrations can cause a pyogenic process;
• significant resistance to environmental factors.

Characteristics of staphylococcus:

• unable to move independently;
• does not participate in sporulation processes;
• does not have an external protective capsule;
• retains color according to the Gram method;
• characteristic arrangement of bacteria in the form of bunches of grapes;
• some strains can synthesize pigment substances;
• able to actively reproduce in conditions of oxygen deficiency;
• pathological staphylococci secrete exotoxins and produce endotoxins, which enter the patient’s bloodstream when the bacteria are destroyed.

Infectious lesions develop in patients with defects in the immune system and with sufficient contamination with staphylococci. A major role is played by pathogenic factors of microorganisms, the presence of which increases the risk of infection. These include:

• The ability to securely attach staphylococcus to the surface of the skin or mucous membranes.
• The release of chemicals that inhibit the activity of human immunocompetent cells and cause allergic reactions.
• Production of toxins.

Most pathogenic strains of coccal microorganisms possess such factors.

Staphylococcus is transmitted in different ways

• Contact- in direct contact with a sick person or contaminated household items.
• Airborne- characteristic for the development of hospital-acquired pneumonia.
• Food- relevant for the hot season, when the pathogen may multiply in food products.

CLASSIFICATION

The classification of staphylococcus occurs according to the genetic characteristics of the species, of which 27 have been identified at this stage of studying the bacterium. The most significant for the threat to human health are:

• Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus aureus. It got its name because of its ability to produce pigment of the corresponding color. Staphylococcus aureus is dangerous because one of its pathogenicity factors is the ability to clot blood plasma, releasing a special toxin. This feature is used for differential diagnosis of the pathogen in the laboratory. The bacterium is the cause of many diseases that occur with purulent inflammation. Previously, the question arose: where does it come from? Modern research shows that about 40 percent of the world's inhabitants are carriers of Staphylococcus aureus, hence the high incidence recorded recently.
• Staphylococcus epidermidis or Staphylococcus epidermidis. As the name suggests, this bacterium is most often found on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. However, in a weakened body with defects in the immune system, it can cause purulent processes in the internal organs, affecting the urinary tract, the inner lining of the heart, etc.
• Saprophytic staphylococcus or Staphylococcus saprophyticus. It plays a role in the development of severe infections of the genitourinary system.
• Hemolytic staphylococcus or Staphylococcus haemolyticus. Due to the toxins released by the bacterium, red blood cells are destroyed, the so-called. hemolysis. In addition to its effect on red blood cells, it is capable of causing purulent inflammatory processes in various internal organs and on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes.

SIGNS OF THE DISEASE

Staphylococcal diseases have a varied clinical picture, which depends on the location of the pathological process.

Skin damage

A limited inflammatory process is accompanied only by local symptoms; when it is widespread, general signs of the disease appear.

Local symptoms:

• swelling and hyperemia of the skin;
• purulent discharge from the affected area;
• pain syndrome of varying intensity.

General symptoms:

• temperature rise to febrile levels;
• violation of the patient’s general condition;
• the appearance of vomiting and other dyspeptic phenomena.

The following may be involved in the pathological process:

• the actual layers of skin;
• secretory glands;
• hair follicles;
• subcutaneous fatty tissue.

Upper respiratory tract diseases

In the nose, staphylococcus can cause inflammation of the mucous membrane. This shows up:

• deterioration of nasal breathing due to swelling and large amounts of serous-purulent discharge;
• impaired odor recognition;
• increased body temperature;
• change in voice timbre;
• decreased sleep quality.

When the inflammatory process moves to the mucous membrane of the sinuses, sinusitis develops. They are characterized by:

• increase in body temperature;
• the appearance of a feeling of fullness in the projection of the sinuses;
• copious purulent discharge;
• disturbance of general well-being;
• headache.

Most often, otolaryngologists are consulted for inflammation of the maxillary and frontal sinuses.

If the larynx or pharynx is affected, the patient presents the following complaints:

• a sore throat;
• difficulty passing food when swallowing;
• enlargement of regional lymph nodes;
• cough;
• increased body temperature;
• violation of the general condition.

Lower respiratory tract diseases

Involvement of the bronchial tree and lung tissue in the purulent inflammatory process is accompanied by:

• cough, which produces purulent sputum;
• dysfunction of external respiration;
• pain syndrome;
• significant deterioration in general condition;
• febrile fever.

Food poisoning

The intestinal infection that occurs with staphylococcus does not have characteristic clinical features. The patient is concerned about:

• bowel dysfunction;
• nausea, vomiting;
• increased body temperature;
• pain along the intestines.

HOW TO IDENTIFY STAPHYLOCOCCUS

In order to determine that it is staphylococcus, it is necessary to carry out laboratory and microbiological studies:

• determination of the titer of specific antibodies;
• test for coagulase, which is secreted only by Staphylococcus aureus;
• inoculation of biological material on nutrient media with subsequent determination of the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibiotics.

TREATMENT BASICS

The basis for the treatment of diseases caused by staphylococcus is use of antibacterial drugs, capable of suppressing the reproduction of the pathogen. Medical tactics for skin lesions are somewhat different. In this case, it is worth remembering that it must be treated with surgical correction followed by antiseptic treatment.

WHAT IS STAPHYLOCOCCUS DANGEROUS?

Modern research shows that staphylococcus is a microorganism that, despite treatment, can cause complications. The most dangerous are:

• sepsis;
• infectious-toxic shock;
• purulent lesion of the membranes of the brain.

HOW TO PREVENT INFECTION

The development of preventive measures was carried out taking into account the fact that staphylococcus can be transmitted both by contact and by airborne droplets. In addition to improving the body's protective properties, it is proposed:

• sanitize foci of chronic infection;
• carry out the necessary antiseptic measures in medical institutions;
• consult a specialist if you suspect an infectious pathology.

PROGNOSIS FOR RECOVERY

Staphylococcus in children causes more severe purulent lesions, and therefore their prognosis is less favorable. However, timely initiation of etiotropic treatment allows us to hope for a complete recovery.

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In the human body, along with beneficial bacteria, microorganisms that are opportunistic in nature are constantly present. One of these types of bacteria is.

The number of these microorganisms increases significantly when the body is exposed to unfavorable factors. Their quantitative increase provokes the development of various kinds of diseases in humans.

To prevent possible complications, every person should know how staphylococcus manifests itself in adults and what measures should be taken if it becomes more active.

Staphylococcus is a spherical microorganism that belongs to the nonmotile type. Scientists distinguish two types of staphylococcus - an opportunistic subspecies and a pathogenic one. the first subspecies may not cause harm, but pathogenic ones in the body will definitely provoke the development of diseases.

Under the influence of special negative factors, these microorganisms are activated and cause inflammation in various organs. There are currently twenty-seven different stamps of the staphylococcus bacterium known.

Once activated in the body, these bacteria produce toxins and enzymes during their life activities. These substances are very harmful to human cells; they disrupt the process of their vital activity.

Often it is staphylococcal infection that provokes the development of complications after various .

Bacteria of this type are highly resistant to environmental influences and to the action of antibacterial medications.

There are several types of staphylococcus that can cause significant harm to humans.

Saprophytic staphylococcus– this bacteria stamp often attacks the female half. Microorganisms provoke the development of inflammatory processes in the bladder or kidneys.

The localization of bacteria is the skin of the genitals and the mucous surface of the epithelium in the urethra. This subspecies provokes the smallest tissue lesions.

Staphylococcus epidermidis– settles in one or another area of ​​the dermis and on the mucous epithelium. This is an opportunistic type of microorganisms and with good immune protection they do not harm humans.

But when this type of staphylococcus penetrates the blood of a person whose immunity is weakened, there is a risk of developing an inflammatory process in the endocardium. The inner lining of the heart muscle is affected.

Staphylococcus aureus– this is the most common and insidious stamp of a microbe.

Microorganisms can infect any organ and provoke more than a hundred different inflammatory diseases.

This is a common cause of purulent foci of the dermis and a number of serious diseases such as staphylococcal sepsis or toxic shock.

Staphylococcus aureus is firmly resistant to adverse external influences and the action of antibiotics.

Clinical picture of the disease

The clinical manifestation of the disease depends on:

• places of localization of bacteria;
• the degree of aggressiveness of a particular type of bacteria;
• level of the body's immune defense.

When diagnosing staphylococcus in an adult, the symptoms of the photo depend on the specific disease. Staphylococcus bacteria provoke the development of the following diseases.

Signs of staphylococcus in the body in adults

Staphylococcus bacteria are diagnosed by laboratory tests.

Material for examination can be taken from the throat, nose, ear, eye or wound.

Important! may be ambiguous - positive or negative, but it is also possible to detect the presence of a certain number of bacteria in the body within normal limits. This condition does not require treatment.

Signs of staphylococcus in adults can be very different. Let's look at them in the table.

Important! Sore throat caused by staphylococcus cannot be treated with penicillin-based antibiotics. To eliminate it, stronger drugs are needed.

Bacteria can cause quite serious complications. Staphylococcus can cause a variety of symptoms in adults. Everything will be determined by the habitat of the bacteria.

The skin, gastrointestinal tract, mucous epithelium of the nasal cavity and throat can be affected.

It is important to diagnose the presence of these microorganisms in the body in a timely manner. Otherwise, there is a risk of the disease developing into sepsis, which can lead to the death of the patient.

In contact with

Staphylococcal infection– a common name for diseases caused by staphylococcus. Due to high resistance to antibiotics, staphylococcal infections occupy first place among purulent-inflammatory infectious diseases. Staphylococcus can cause inflammation in almost any organ. Staphylococcus can cause purulent diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue: boils, felons, abscesses, hidradenitis, pyoderma. By affecting internal organs, staphylococcus can cause pneumonia, sore throat, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, and abscesses of internal organs. The enterotoxin secreted by staphylococcus can cause severe food intoxication with the development of enterocolitis (inflammation of the small and large intestines).

The genus of staphylococci includes three species: Staphylococcus aureus (the most harmful), Staphylococcus epidermidis (also pathogenic, but much less dangerous than Staphylococcus aureus) and saprophytic Staphylococcus - practically harmless, however, also capable of causing diseases. In addition, each type of staphylococcus has several subspecies (strains), differing from each other in various properties (for example, a set of toxins produced) and, accordingly, causing the same diseases, differing in clinical signs (manifestations). Under a microscope, staphylococci appear in clusters somewhat similar to a bunch of grapes.

Staphylococci have a fairly high viability: they can be stored in a dried state for up to 6 months, do not die when frozen and thawed, and are resistant to direct sunlight.

The pathogenic effect of staphylococci is associated with their ability to produce toxins: exfoliatin, which damages skin cells, leukocidin, which destroys leukocytes, and enterotoxin, which causes clinical food poisoning. In addition, staphylococcus produces enzymes that protect it from the effects of immune mechanisms and contribute to its preservation and distribution in the tissues of the body.

The source of infection can be a sick person or an asymptomatic carrier; according to some data, up to 40% of healthy people are carriers of various strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The entrance gates of infection can be microdamages of the skin and the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. A significant factor in the development of staphylococcal infections is weakened immunity due to the use of medications (for example, immunosuppressants, antibiotics), chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, thyroid diseases), and exposure to adverse environmental factors. Due to the characteristics of the immune system, staphylococcal infections are most severe in young children and old people. Immunity after an infection is unstable and, in general, insignificant, since when encountering a new subspecies of staphylococcus that produces other toxins, all previous immune “acquisitions” do not play a significant protective role.

Symptoms of staph infection

Specific manifestations of staphylococcal infection are determined by the location of introduction, the degree of aggressiveness of the staphylococcus species and the degree of decreased immunity.

Pyoderma is one of the most common purulent skin diseases. Staphylococcal pyoderma is characterized by skin lesions in the area of ​​hair openings. With superficial lesions, so-called folliculitis develops - a small abscess, permeated with hair in the center. With deeper lesions, a furuncle develops - a purulent-necrotic inflammation of the hair follicle and surrounding tissues or a carbuncle - inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue around a group of hair follicles. Most often, boils and carbuncles appear on the back of the neck, thighs, and buttocks. The appearance of boils and carbuncles on the face is especially dangerous - due to the peculiarities of blood circulation, staphylococcus can be carried into the brain, with the development of purulent meningitis or brain abscess.

Symptoms of pyoderma with staphylococcal infection

Ritter's disease or scalded skin syndrome is another manifestation of staphylococcal infection, occurring mainly in newborns and young children. In its manifestations, the disease may resemble scarlet fever (a similar rash) or erysipelas (a patch of red, inflamed skin with smooth borders), found in streptococcal infections. One of the forms of the disease, epidemic pemphigus, is a clear example of the action of the staphylococcal toxin – exfoliatin. With pemphigus, the surface layers of the skin peel off in large layers, and large blisters appear underneath them.

Abscesses and phlegmons are a form of deep damage to the subcutaneous tissues with their purulent melting. The difference between an abscess and phlegmon is that in the first case, the inflammation is delimited by a capsule, which blocks the path to further spread of the process, and with phlegmon, purulent inflammation spreads through the tissues (that is, it is a more dangerous form).

Staphylococcal pneumonia is a rare phenomenon, but due to the characteristics of the course and the resistance of staphylococci to a number of antibiotics, it is of great importance among bacterial pneumonias.
Pneumonia caused by staphylococcus is characterized by a severe course, with severe intoxication, chest pain (damage to the pleura), and shortness of breath. Multiple foci appear in the lung tissues, followed by purulent melting and the formation of abscesses. Such abscesses can break into the pleural cavity: a so-called empyema is formed.

Getting from the source of infection on the face, in the sinuses or other places through the bloodstream to the brain, staphylococcus causes the appearance of brain abscesses and purulent meningitis. Brain abscesses are usually small, scattered throughout the tissue. Meningitis is often secondary to a brain abscess, or can occur independently when a large number of staphylococci appear in the blood (bacteremia). Damage to the brain and its membranes is manifested by headache, impaired consciousness, neurological disorders, and epileptic seizures.

Staphylococcal infection can also cause thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins of the brain, accompanied by severe neurological disorders.

Staphylococcus is the main cause (up to 95%) of purulent inflammation of the bone marrow - osteomyelitis. In the process of inflammation, all layers of the bone are affected and destroyed, often the purulent focus breaks out. The main symptom of osteomyelitis is pain in the affected area. Later, tissue swelling appears over the site of inflammation, and purulent fistulas form. When joints are affected, purulent arthritis occurs, with the hip and knee joints most often affected.

Staphylococcal damage to the valves and inner lining of the heart (endocardium) endocarditis is a serious disease with a high (40-60%) mortality rate. Entering the bloodstream, staphylococcus quickly destroys the heart valve, causing serious complications in the form of embolism (blockage) of peripheral arteries, myocardial abscess, and heart failure.

Diseases caused by exposure to large amounts of staphylococcal toxins are sometimes classified as a separate group - intoxication. These include toxic shock and food toxicosis. Toxic shock occurs when particularly aggressive types of toxins enter the bloodstream, causing a sharp drop in blood pressure, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, impaired consciousness, and later a characteristic spotty rash appears. Food toxicosis occurs 2-6 hours after eating food contaminated with staphylococcus and is manifested by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases of food intoxication, the manifestations of enterocolitis may resemble those of a particularly dangerous infection - cholera.

Sepsis is the most severe form of staphylococcal infection, in which a huge number of bacteria are spread by blood throughout the body with the formation of multiple secondary foci of infection in the internal organs.

Diagnosis of staphylococcal infection

Diagnosis of staphylococcal infection is based on clinical signs of the disease. To identify the pathogen, cultures are taken of discharge from wounds and biological fluids. The basis for diagnosing food intoxication can be the isolation of staphylococcus from food products. When making a diagnosis, the doctor has to differentiate staphylococcal diseases from infections caused by streptococcus, allergic skin lesions, cutaneous anthrax (carbuncle), and intestinal infections (salmonellosis, dysentery).

Treatment of staph infections

Treatment of staphylococcal infections should be aimed at suppressing the pathogen, restoring immune components, and treating concomitant diseases that reduce the body's reactivity.

The surgical method of treating foci of staphylococcal infection with purulent melting (boils, abscesses) has been considered the main one since ancient times and remains so to this day.

The use of antibiotics for staphylococcal infections should be well thought out and justified, since the irrational use of antibiotics, at least, will not bring benefit and, given the high resistance of staphylococci to some antibiotics, in some cases it is harmful, leading to aggravation of the course of infections. For the treatment of staphylococcal processes, semisynthetic penicillins (ampicillin, oxacillin), penicillins combined with clavulanic acid (amoxiclav) or another group of antibiotics - aminoglycosides (gentamicin) are often used.

Bacteriophages for staphylococcal infection

To combat staphylococcus, bacteriophages can be used - viruses with a selective ability to attack staphylococcus. For external treatment, ointments containing antibacterial components that have an antiseptic and restorative effect are used. During purulent processes, it is not recommended to use ointments that have a fatty base (for example, the popular Vishnevsky liniment) since fats prevent the outflow of discharge from the wound, thereby worsening the course of the process.

Increasing immunity against staphylococcal infection

Methods for increasing immunity can be chosen in a wide variety of ways, from taking herbal preparations - adaptogens (ginseng, eleutherococcus) to complex combinations, including synthetic immunomodulators, administration of ready-made immune preparations: anti-staphylococcal plasma or immunoglobulin. A simple method of immunostimulation called autohemotherapy (intramuscular injection of the patient’s own blood) is often used.

To improve recovery processes, multivitamins are prescribed for general strengthening purposes. For diseases accompanied by high intoxication and fever, drinking plenty of fluids is advisable.
The diet, as for any patient, should be easily digestible with a sufficient amount of vitamins. A varied healthy diet plays a significant role in maintaining the body's defenses and rapid recovery from illness.

Folk remedies for treating staphylococcal infections

Folk remedies can be used as the only independent method for mild forms of staphylococcal infection. These methods are based on the use of infusions and decoctions of herbs that have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (chamomile, string, St. John's wort, calendula) both in the form of rinses and lotions, and for oral administration. Infusions of berries rich in vitamins (raspberries, cranberries, currants, rose hips) help eliminate bacterial toxins and restore the body. Thermal procedures are recommended to be used topically and only during the recovery period. It is not advisable to use heat to accelerate the maturation of ulcers, a bathhouse, a sauna, and especially hot baths because of the risk of aggravation and further spread of infection.

Prevention of staphylococcal infection

Prevention of staphylococcal infection includes: maintaining good personal hygiene, giving up bad habits, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep. It is necessary to avoid general hypothermia and overheating, and promptly treat skin microtraumas with antiseptics (iodine, brilliant green). It is necessary to identify and treat carriers of Staphylococcus aureus, especially those working in healthcare and public catering institutions; for the duration of treatment, such persons are not allowed to perform their duties.

Consultation with a doctor on the topic of staphylococcal infection:

Are there vaccines against streptococcal infections?
Answer: there is a so-called staphylococcal toxoid, which, after administration, causes the formation of antitoxic antibodies; there are no vaccines that stimulate the production of antibacterial immunity.

I often get boils (carbuncles, pimples, etc.). What do you need to drink to make it go away?
Answer: if there are manifestations of chronic staphylococcal infection, you cannot self-medicate. It is necessary to consult a doctor - treatment of the infection should be prescribed individually after a detailed examination, and treatment should also be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

I have dysbacteriosis, I was diagnosed as a carrier of Staphylococcus aureus, and an antibiotic was prescribed. How long should I take it?
Answer: Treatment of carriage of Staphylococcus aureus with antibiotics is not advisable. It is advisable to use a staphylococcal bacteriophage and immunization with a staphylococcal toxoid. Treatment of dysbacteriosis with a high content of staphylococcus with antibiotics is completely contraindicated, as this will lead to the opposite result - more intensive proliferation of staphylococcus

General practitioner Sokov S.V.