Staphylococcus aureus is transmitted by airborne droplets. Prevention measures

Staphylococcal infection is a complex pathological process of interaction between staphylococcus and the human body with a wide range of manifestations - from asymptomatic carriage to severe intoxication and the development of purulent-inflammatory foci.

Due to the high resistance of the microbe to antibacterial drugs, diseases of staphylococcal etiology occupy a leading place among all purulent-inflammatory pathologies.

Staphylococcus causes the following diseases:

Furunculosis,
Pyoderma,
Abscesses,
Sore throat,
Osteomyelitis,
Enterocolitis.

Etiology

The cause of the disease is staphylococci, which are gram-positive cocci belonging to the Micrococcaceae family. These bacteria have the correct spherical shape and are immobile. Staphylococcus in the smear is located in the form of clusters or bunches of grapes.

To staphylococci, causing pathology in humans, there are only three types:

S. aureus is the most harmful,
S. epidermidis – less dangerous, but also pathogenic,
S. saprophyticus is practically harmless, but can cause disease.

These are opportunistic bacteria that are permanent inhabitants of the human body, without causing any illnesses.

When exposed to unfavorable external or internal factors, the number of microbes increases sharply, they begin to produce pathogenicity factors that lead to the development of staphylococcal infection.

Staphylococcus aureus is the main representative of this group, causing serious illnesses in humans. It coagulates blood plasma, has pronounced lecitovetylase activity, ferments anaerobic mannitol, and synthesizes a cream or yellow pigment.

Properties of bacteria:

Staphylococci are facultative anaerobes that can live and reproduce both in the presence of oxygen and without it. They obtain energy through oxidative and fermentative pathways.
Bacteria are resistant to freezing, heating, sunlight and the effects of some chemicals. Staphylococcal enterotoxin is destroyed by prolonged boiling or exposure to hydrogen peroxide.
Microbial resistance to antibacterial drugs is a problem modern medicine. New multidrug-resistant strains are constantly being formed in medical institutions. Methicillin-resistant staphylococci are very important epidemiologically.

Pathogenicity factors:

Enzymes – hyaluronidase, fibrinolysin, lecitovitellase;
Toxins – hemolysins, leukocidin, enterotoxins, exfoliatins.

Enzymes break down fats and proteins, destroy body tissues, supply staphylococci with nutrients and ensure their movement deep into the body. Enzymes protect bacteria from attack immune mechanisms and contribute to their conservation.

Fibrinolysin promotes the penetration of microbes into the blood and the development of sepsis - blood poisoning.
Hemolysins suppress the activity of immunocompetent cells and help staphylococci survive in areas of inflammation for a long time. In children and the elderly, due to these factors, the infection acquires a generalized form.
Exfoliatin damages skin cells.
Leukocidin destroys leukocytes - white blood cells.
Enterotoxin– a strong poison produced by staphylococci and causing foodborne illness in humans.

Epidemiology

Sources of infection are patients and bacteria carriers. Microbes enter the human body through abrasions and scratches on the skin, as well as the mucous membrane of the respiratory system, genitourinary and digestive system.

The main routes of transmission of the pathogen:

Airborne,
Airborne dust,
Contact-household,
Nutritional.

The airborne route predominates among all others. This is due to the constant release of staphylococci into the air and their long-term preservation in the form of an aerosol.

Contact- by everyday means Staphylococcus is transmitted in medical institutions through the hands of staff, instruments, medical devices, and patient care items.

In the maternity hospital, newborns become infected with staphylococcus through drinking solutions, breast milk, and infant formula. Nosocomial staphylococcal infection represents great danger for newborn children.

Factors contributing to the development of infection:

Weakened immunity,
Long-term use of antibiotics, hormones or immunosuppressants,
Endocrine pathology,
Viral infections
Exacerbation of chronic diseases,
Long-term chemotherapy or radiotherapy,
Impacts harmful factors external environment.

Staph infections are usually sporadic, but can occur in small outbreaks. Staphylococcal food intoxications are group diseases that occur when consuming foods contaminated with bacteria.

Pathogenesis

Microbes enter the human body through the skin, mucous membranes of the mouth, respiratory system, digestion, and eyes. At the site of staphylococcus penetration, purulent-necrotic inflammation develops. Further development of the process can occur according to two scenarios:

Tense specific immunity prevents the disease from developing and promotes rapid elimination of the outbreak.
A weakened immune system cannot fight infection. The pathogen and toxins enter the bloodstream, bacteremia and intoxication develop. When the process generalizes, staphylococcus affects internal organs with the development of septicemia and septicopyemia.

Nonspecific changes, which are a consequence of disrupted metabolic processes in the body and the accumulation of microbial decay products, contribute to the development of infectious-toxic shock.

Staphylococcal toxins penetrate into the blood from the source of inflammation, which manifests itself as intoxication– vomiting, fever, loss of appetite. Erythrogenic toxin causes scarlet fever syndrome.

The result of the breakdown of microbial cells is an allergic reaction of the body to foreign proteins. This is manifested by fever, lymphadenitis, allergic rash and a number of complications - inflammation of the kidneys, joints and others.

An allergic reaction and a toxic component reduce immunity, increase vascular permeability, lead to the development of a septic process, which is accompanied by the formation of many purulent foci and the formation of sepsis.

Pathomorphological changes

Symptoms

Clinical signs of pathology are determined by the site of introduction of the bacterium, the degree of its pathogenicity and the activity of the human immune system.

When the skin is damaged by staphylococcus, pyoderma develops. The pathology is manifested by inflammation of the skin at the roots of the hair or folliculitis - an abscess with hair in the central part. Purulent-necrotic skin diseases of staphylococcal etiology include furuncle and carbuncle, which are acute inflammation of the hair follicle, sebaceous gland, surrounding skin and subcutaneous fat. A particular danger to human health is the location of purulent-inflammatory foci on the face and head. If the course of the pathology is unfavorable, the formation of abscesses in the brain or the development of purulent meningitis is possible.
Purulent melting of deep tissues is called. In an abscess, inflammation is limited to the capsule, which prevents the process from spreading to surrounding tissues. Phlegmon is a diffuse purulent inflammation of the subcutaneous fat.

Subcutaneous phlegmon

Pneumonia of staphylococcal etiology is a severe but quite rare pathology. Manifestations of pneumonia are intoxication and pain syndromes, respiratory failure with severe shortness of breath. Complications of the pathology are lung abscesses and pleural empyema.
Purulent inflammation meninges staphylococcal origin develops through the penetration of microbes through the bloodstream from foci of infection on the face, in the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses. Patients develop pronounced neurological symptoms, signs of meningism, seizures, impaired consciousness.
Osteomyelitis is a purulent infectious and inflammatory disease that affects bone tissue, periosteum and bone marrow. Purulent foci located in the bone often break out. Signs of pathology are pain, tissue swelling, formation of purulent fistulas.
Staphylococci often affect large joints with the development purulent arthritis, which is manifested by pain, stiffness and limited movement, joint deformation, and the development of intoxication.
Staphylococcal endocarditis - infectious inflammation connective tissue heart lining it internal cavities and valves. Symptoms of the disease are fever, pain in muscles and joints, chills, sweating, pale skin, the appearance of small rashes and dark red nodules on the palms and soles. Auscultation reveals a heart murmur. Endocarditis is a severe pathology leading to the development of heart failure and characterized by high mortality.
Infectious-toxic shock – emergency caused by exposure to bacteria and their toxins on the human body. It is manifested by severe intoxication, dyspepsia, confusion, signs of cardiovascular and renal failure, and collapse.
Food toxicosis develops as a result of eating food containing staphylococcal toxins and often occurs as follows: acute gastritis. Incubation is fast - 1-2 hours, after which severe intoxication and dyspepsia appear. Vomiting often results in dehydration.

Features of staphylococcal infection in children

Staphylococcal infection in children occurs in the form of epidemics, sporadic, group, and family diseases. Epidemic outbreaks are usually recorded in maternity hospitals or neonatal units. Epidemics can affect schools, kindergartens, camps and other organized children's groups. This is due to children eating food contaminated with bacteria. Usually food poisoning happen in the warm season.

Newborn babies become infected with staphylococcus by contact from the mother or hospital staff. The main route of transmission of infection for infants is nutritional, in which microbes enter the child’s body with the milk of a mother with mastitis.

Preschoolers and schoolchildren become infected by consuming low-quality food. Staphylococcus, multiplying in a living organism, releases an enterotoxin that causes gastroenterocolitis.

Staphylococcal respiratory diseases occur when infected by airborne droplets. The microbe enters the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx or oropharynx and causes inflammation of these organs.

Factors causing high susceptibility of newborns and infants to staphylococcus:

Not strong enough local immunity respiratory and digestive organs,
Lack of immunoglobulin A, which is responsible for local protection of the body,
Vulnerability of mucous membranes and skin,
Weak bactericidal effect saliva,
Associated pathologies - diathesis, malnutrition,
Long-term use of antibiotics and corticosteroids.

Symptoms in children

There are two forms of staphylococcal infection - local and generalized.

Local forms in children include: rhinitis, nasopharyngitis, conjunctivitis. These pathologies are mild and rarely accompanied by intoxication. They usually manifest themselves in infants as loss of appetite and weight loss. In some cases local forms manifested by fever, general deterioration of condition and extensive local symptoms.

Skin diseases of staphylococcal etiology in children occur in the form of folliculitis, pyoderma, furunculosis, hidradenitis, and phlegmon. They are accompanied by regional lymphadenitis and lymphangitis. Epidemic pemphigus is a pathology of newborns, manifested by symptoms reminiscent of erysipelas: a rash or focal redness of the skin with clear contours. With pemphigus, the skin peels off in entire layers, under which large blisters form.
Staphylococcus in the throat can cause in children acute tonsillitis or pharyngitis, often against the background of acute respiratory viral infection. Staphylococcal tonsillitis manifests itself as a sore throat, intoxication, fever and the appearance of a continuous coating on the tonsils, arches and uvula. The coating is usually yellow or white shade, loose, purulent, easily removed. When examining a child, the doctor discovers diffuse hyperemia of the throat mucosa without clear boundaries.

Inflammation of the larynx of staphylococcal origin usually occurs in children 2-3 years old. The pathology develops rapidly and has no specific symptoms. Often combined with inflammation of the bronchi or lungs.
Staphylococcal pneumonia is a serious pathology, especially in young children, often complicated by the formation of abscesses. Catarrhal and intoxication signs in children appear simultaneously, while the general condition sharply worsens, and signs of respiratory failure appear. The child is lethargic, pale, sleepy, refuses to eat, often spits up and even vomits. Pneumonia does not always end in recovery; it is possible death. This is due to the formation of bullae in the lungs, in place of which abscesses can form, leading to the development of purulent or.
Scarlet fever-like syndrome in children accompanies infection of wounds, burns, the development of lymphadenitis, phlegmon, and osteomyelitis. The manifestation of the disease is a scarlet-like rash that appears on the hyperemic skin of the torso. After the rash disappears, lamellar peeling remains.
Symptoms of Staphylococcus aureus when affected digestive tract depend on the localization of the pathology and the state of the macroorganism. Gastroenteritis begins acutely with symptoms of intoxication and dyspepsia. Children experience vomiting, usually repeated and uncontrollable, abdominal pain, fever, weakness, and dizziness. For inflammation small intestine Diarrhea begins up to 5 times a day.
Staphylococcal sepsis usually develops in newborns, often premature children. Infection occurs through umbilical wound, damaged skin, respiratory organs and even ears. The disease develops rapidly and occurs with severe intoxication, the appearance of rashes on the skin, and the formation of internal organs abscesses.

Sick children are hospitalized in a hospital for antibacterial and symptomatic treatment.

Video: about staphylococcus – Doctor Komarovsky

Staphylococcus during pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman's immune system is weakened, protective forces reduced. At this time, the female body is most vulnerable and open to various microbes, including staphylococcus.

Every pregnant woman, after registering with antenatal clinic must undergo a number of mandatory examinations, including tests for staphylococcus in a microbiological laboratory. The bacteriologist counts the number of grown colonies that correspond in morphological, cultural and biochemical properties Staphylococcus aureus. If their number exceeds the norm, then the pregnant woman is prescribed appropriate treatment, which consists of sanitizing the nasopharynx with antiseptics, using immunomodulators, local antibiotics, or staphylococcal bacteriophage. Staphylococcus in the nose in pregnant women is treated by instillation antiseptic solutions into the nasal passages. In order to prevent infection of the child, pregnant women are immunized with staphylococcal toxoid.

Preventive measures during pregnancy:

Personal hygiene,
Regular walks in the fresh air
Balanced diet,
Ventilation of the room,
Gymnastics for pregnant women.

When the first symptoms of staphylococcus appear, you should rinse your nose with a warm water-salt solution every three hours.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of staphylococcal infection is based on epidemiological history, patient complaints, characteristic clinical picture and laboratory test results.

Laboratory diagnostics

Main diagnostic method is a microbiological study of nasopharyngeal discharge. To do this, patients usually take a swab from the throat for staphylococcus. The material for research can be blood, pus, discharge from the ears, nose, wounds, eyes, exudate of the pleural cavity, feces, gastric lavage, vomit, discharge from cervical canal in women, urine. The purpose of the study is to isolate and fully identify the pathogen to genus and species.

A series of tenfold dilutions are prepared from the material under study and inoculated required quantity for one of the electives nutrient media- milk-bile-salt or yolk-salt agar. The number of grown colonies is counted and studied.

Significant differential features staphylococcus:

Pigment,
Lecitovitellase,
Plasmocoagulase,
Catalase activity
DNAase,
Ability to ferment mannitol under anaerobic conditions.

The number of bacteria less than 10 3 indicates asymptomatic carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. More high performance indicate the etiological significance of the isolated microbe in the development of the disease.

To determine staphylococcal enterotoxin in the test samples, the enzyme immunoassay method or the gel precipitation reaction is used.

Serodiagnosis involves detecting antibodies to staphylococcal antigens in blood serum. To do this, use the hemolysis inhibition reaction, the passive hemagglutination reaction, and ELISA.

Staphylococcal infection should be differentiated from streptococcal infection. Staphylococcus is manifested by inflammation, which tends to suppurate, the formation of thick greenish pus and fibrinous deposits. Staphylococcal infection is characterized by inconsistency of temperature reaction, return of temperature, and low-grade fever. Blood parameters are more constant - neutrophilic leukocytosis and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Streptococci also cause mucous membranes of the nose, lymph nodes, ears, and lungs. Both infections have similar pathogenesis and pathomorphology. They are characterized by the development of purulent-necrotic inflammation. The clinical picture of diseases caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus includes intoxication, pain and allergic syndromes.

Distinctive signs of streptococcal infection are:

Severe hyperemia, swelling and soreness of inflamed mucous membranes,
Rapid development of acute inflammation with damage to the tonsils, ears, lymph nodes,
Streptococci do not affect the intestinal tract, do not cause diarrhea, boils and carbuncles,
Penicillin in moderate doses works well for streptococcal lesions.

Staphylococcal infection is characterized by:

Hyperemia of the mucous membrane with a cyanotic tint,
Inflammation of the nasopharynx is always accompanied by regional lymphadenitis,
Weaker effect from large doses penicillin.

Treatment

Local forms of staphylococcal infection are treated at home. Hospitalization is indicated in cases of generalization of the process with sepsis, meningitis, endocarditis, or if necessary surgical treatment purulent-necrotic skin lesions - boils or carbuncles.

Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus is complex, including antibacterial therapy, the use of immunotherapy drugs and sanitation of purulent foci.

Antibacterial treatment

Antibiotics are prescribed to the patient after receiving the results of a microbiological examination of the discharge from the pharynx or nose. Patients are prescribed:

Semi-synthetic penicillins – “Ampioks”, “Oxacillin”;
Combined penicillins – “Amoxiclav”;
Aminoglycosides – “Gentamicin”;
Cephalosporins - Cefepime.

Currently, there are microbes whose enzymes destroy these drugs. They are called MRSA - methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Only a few antibiotics will help cope with such strains - Vancomycin, Teicoplanin, Linezolid. "Fuzidin" is often prescribed with "Biseptol".

Antibiotics should be used only as prescribed by a doctor. Antibacterial therapy must be justified and thoughtful.

Irrational use of drugs:

Destroys healthy microflora body,
Has a detrimental effect on the functioning of internal organs,
Harmful to health
Provokes the development of dysbacteriosis,
Complicates the course of staphylococcal infection.

Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages are biological weapons against bacteria. These are viruses that act very specifically, infect harmful elements and have no effect. negative impact for the whole body. Bacteriophages multiply inside bacterial cells and lyse them. By destroying dangerous bacteria, bacteriophages die on their own.

To destroy Staphylococcus aureus, the bacteriophage is used locally or orally for 10-20 days, depending on the location of the pathology. To treat purulent skin lesions, lotions or irrigations with liquid bacteriophage are used. It is injected into the joint or pleural cavity, vagina, uterus, taken orally, instilled into the nose and ears, and given enemas with it.

Immunostimulation

Autohemotransfusion - intramuscular injection patient's own venous blood. This procedure is widely used to treat furunculosis. After intramuscular injection, the blood is destroyed, and the breakdown products stimulate the immune system.
Subcutaneous or intramuscular administration of antistaphylococcal antitoxic serum or intravenous administration of antistaphylococcal plasma.
Herbal immunostimulants – "Schisandra", "Echinacea", "Eleutherococcus", "Ginseng", "Chitosan". These drugs normalize energy and basal metabolism, have an adaptogenic effect - help cope with stress and stress.
Patients with pronounced signs immune dysfunction, synthetic immunomodulators are indicated - “Polyoxidonium”, “Ismigen”, “Timogen”, “Amiksin”.
Vitamin therapy.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment is indicated for the formation of infectious foci with purulent melting - carbuncles, abscesses, boils in cases where conservative therapy does not give results.

Surgical intervention consists of opening abscesses and boils, excision of necrotic tissue, removal of purulent contents and foreign bodies, drainage of lesions to create unimpeded outflow of pus, local administration of antibiotics. Often, surgeons remove the source of infection itself - the catheter, artificial valve or implant.

Traditional medicine

Folk remedies complement basic drug treatment pathology.

It is strictly forbidden to use any thermal procedures at home to accelerate the process of maturation of ulcers. Hot baths, steam baths and saunas will only worsen the patient’s condition and lead to further spread of the infection.

Heat treatments can only be used during the recovery period.

Prevention

Preventive measures aimed at preventing staphylococcal infection:

by Notes of the Wild Mistress

More than 40% of the world's population are carriers of this infection. An opportunistic microorganism causes many terrible diseases - meningitis, pneumonia, encephalitis and even sepsis. The high degree of endurance of the microbe allows it to survive in high temperatures oh, it does not die from antibiotics and multiplies unhindered at various points in the human body.

What is Staphylococcus aureus, how the infection is transmitted, preventive measures to reduce the risk of disease - this article will tell you about it.

Staphylococcus aureus: what is its danger

Staphylococcus aureus ( Staphylococcus aureus) – a representative of the normal microflora of the body, which, under favorable conditions (weakened immunity, open wounds) is capable of causing a severe inflammatory process in absolutely all tissues and organs. It is widespread, variable, has high survival rate, antibiotic resistance, and quickly adapts to different environmental conditions. Staphylococcus aureus is dangerous for the development of opportunistic infections. In the pathogenesis of diseases caused by staphylococci, both the exotoxin and the bacterial cells themselves play an important role.

How the infection is transmitted

Staphylococcus enters the body through mucous membranes and skin, spreads by airborne droplets and airborne dust. Entering the blood (septicemia) occurs due to the pathogen overcoming the protective lymphatic barriers.

Risk factors:

- metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus);
- immunodeficiency states;
- extensive trauma (after surgery);
- children and old age;
- pregnancy;
- lactation period.

Anyone can become infected with staphylococcus. However, not everyone exhibits the pathogenetic ability of the infection. The majority of the population are passive carriers of Staphylococcus aureus.

Ways of infection with Staphylococcus aureus (how the infection is transmitted):

- contact - through contact;
- aerogenic – airborne;
- nutritional – through food.

Contact route of infection with staphylococcus

Once in an open wound, staphylococcus causes purulent inflammation of the damaged tissue.

Infection often occurs during surgical operations and various traumatic procedures using intravenous catheters, devices that come into contact with internal environment human body. These are hemodialysis, intravenous nutrition of premature babies, artificial ventilation of the lungs. When conducting instrumental methods diagnostics using non-sterile medical instruments, infection occurs extremely often (artificial route).

You can become infected with staphylococcus from ear piercings, piercings, and tattoos. Injection drug users can get an infection in the injection wound.

In medical institutions, Staphylococcus aureus can get on wound surface from medical staff (potential carriers of infection) due to poor hand cleaning and lack of a mask.

In a person with strong immunity, at the site of penetration of staphylococcus, the inflammatory process inhibits the spread of infection beyond the focus, where pathogenic microorganisms undergo phagocytosis (destruction).

Young children often become infected with staphylococcus when playing with dirty toys or in the sandbox.

Aerogenic method of infection with staphylococcus

Living on mucous membranes oral cavity and nasal passages, staphylococcus easily leaves its owner along with the exhaled air. When a carrier of infection comes into close contact with an unhealthy person, Staphylococcus aureus easily penetrates into the patient’s body. A weak immune system, the presence of small cracks in the skin, and small foci of inflammation increase the risk of getting sick.

In some cases (with AIDS and after chemotherapy for cancer patients), when staphylococcus enters the respiratory organs, staphylococcal pneumonia can develop and be fatal.

Infection with staphylococcus through nutritional routes

The source of staphylococcus is often food: dairy products; meat products in the form of semi-finished products and sausages, fish (lightly salted, canned), flour sweets.

Getting into food products, staphylococcus multiplies and releases enterotoxins. Having eaten contaminated food, a person can become infected with staphylococcus when the food comes into contact with the mucous membranes of the digestive tract (most often in the mouth) and, in addition, become poisoned (enterotoxins cause severe intestinal poisoning).

Newborns can become infected with staphylococcus from their mother when passing through the birth canal. The infection often penetrates through cracks in the nipples of a lactating woman, causing purulent mastitis and passes into breast milk.

Measures to prevent infection with Staphylococcus aureus

The microorganism is viable for more than 6 months in a dried state and up to 100 days in dust. Repeated freezing does not kill staphylococcus, prolonged exposure to direct sun rays. Staphylococci can withstand heating up to 70C for more than one hour. At 80C - they die after 10-60 minutes, at 100C - instantly (boiling point); A 5% phenol solution neutralizes bacteria in 15-30 minutes. Staphylococci are sensitive to brilliant green.

To prevent infection with staphylococcus, you need to:

Follow proper nutrition standards (to avoid weakening the body’s immune properties) and eliminate (if present) vitamin deficiency. IN healthy body the infection does not show pathogenicity.

Prevent injuries (especially in children). This will minimize the possibility of staphylococcus penetrating through damaged skin and open wounds. If an injury does occur, you need to immediately take measures (treat with brilliant green or other antiseptic) in order to disinfect the wound surface.

Adhere to sanitary and hygienic standards. This will help everyone prevent pathogenic flora from entering the body. On clean, undamaged skin, Staphylococcus aureus dies in 5-6 minutes. You need to keep your body clean, wash your hands with soap before eating (the procedure is repeated especially often for children), wash children's toys and systematically clean the house.

Compliance with sanitary and hygienic requirements in maternity hospitals, surgical departments, in kindergartens, and at work will additionally protect the population from infection with staphylococcus.

Type: Firmicutes
Class: bacilli
Order: Bacillales
Family: Staphylococcaceae (Staphylococcal)
Genus: Staphylococcus
International scientific name: Staphylococcus

Staphylococcus(lat. Staphylococcus) is a non-motile spherical bacterium belonging to the Staphylococcus family (Staphylococcaceae).

Staphylococcus belongs to the group of positive, immobile, anaerobic, opportunistic microorganisms for the human body. The type of metabolism is oxidative and enzymatic. They do not form spores or capsules. The diameter of a staphylococcus cell is 0.6-1.2 microns, depending on the strain (species). The most common colors are purple, gold, yellow, and white. Some staphylococci are capable of synthesizing characteristic pigments.

Most types of staphylococcus bacteria are colored purple and spread in clusters similar to grapes, which is why they got their name, which translated from ancient Greek means “σταφυλή” (grapes) and “κόκκος” (grain).

Staphylococci in a certain amount are almost always found on the surface of the human body (in the nasal and oropharynx, on the skin), but if this infection gets inside, it weakens the body, and some types of staphylococcus can even cause the development various diseases, and almost all organs and systems, especially if the immune system is weakened. The fact is that staphylococcus, getting inside, produces large number endo- and exotoxins (poisons) that poison the body’s cells, disrupting them normal functioning. The most common pathologies caused by staphylococci are pneumonia, toxic shock, sepsis, purulent skin lesions, disturbances in the functioning of the nervous, digestive and other systems, general poisoning body. It is not uncommon for a staphylococcal infection to be associated with secondary disease, as a complication in others.

The conditional pathogenicity of this type of infection suggests that staphylococci have a negative effect on human or animal health only under certain conditions.

There are quite a large number of types of staphylococcus - 50 (as of 2016). The most common are Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic, saprophytic and epidermal staphylococci. Each of the strains of these bacteria has its own severity and pathogenicity. They are resistant to many antibacterial drugs, as well as various harsh climatic conditions, but are sensitive to aqueous solutions silver salts and its electrolytic solutions.
Staphylococcal infection is widespread in soil and air. It is by air that a person is most often infected (infected). It is also worth noting that this type infections can affect not only people, but also animals.

It has been noted that children are most susceptible to infection with staphylococcus, which is associated with an undeveloped immune system and non-compliance with personal hygiene rules, as well as elderly people.

Causes of staphylococcus

The cause of the development of almost all staphylococcal diseases is a violation of the integrity of the skin or mucous membranes, as well as the consumption of contaminated food. The level of harm also depends on the strain of the bacterium, as well as the functioning of the immune system. The stronger the immune system, the less harm staphylococci can cause to human health. Thus, we can conclude that in most cases, staphylococcal disease requires a combination of 2 factors - infection inside and disruption of the normal functioning of the immune system.

How is staphylococcus transmitted? Let's look at the most popular ways of contracting staphylococcal infections.

How can staphylococcus enter the body?

Airborne path. In season respiratory diseases, frequent stay in places large cluster people also increases the risk of infection, not only staphylococcal, but also many other types of infection, incl. viral, fungal. Sneezing, coughing - similar symptoms serve as a kind of beacons from which healthy people, if possible, need to stay away.

Airborne dust path. Household and street dust contains a large number of different microscopic particles - plant pollen, exfoliated skin particles, hair of various animals, dust mites, particles of various materials (fabric, paper), and all this is usually seasoned various infections– , fungi. Staphylococcus and other types of infection are very often found in dust, and when we breathe such air, it does not have the best effect on our health.

Contact and household path. Infection usually occurs when sharing personal hygiene items, bed linen, especially if one of the family members is sick. The risk of infection increases when the skin and mucous membranes are injured.

Fecal-oral (nutritional) route. Infection occurs when eating food with dirty hands, i.e. - in case of non-compliance. It is also worth noting that infection through nutritional routes is also common cause diseases such as - and other complex ones.

Medical path. Infection with staphylococcus occurs through contact with insufficiently clean medical instruments, both during surgical interventions and during certain types of diagnostics, which imply a violation of the integrity of the skin or mucous membranes. This is usually due to the treatment of instruments with a product to which the staphylococcus has developed resistance.

How can staphylococcus seriously harm human health, or what weakens the immune system?

Presence of chronic diseases. Most diseases indicate a weakened immune system. If pathological processes already occur in the body, it is more difficult for it to protect itself from other diseases. Therefore, any disease increases the risk of a secondary infection, and staphylococcal one of them.

The most common diseases and pathological conditions, in which staphylococcus often attacks the patient, are: tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, diseases of other systems, as well as other chronic diseases.

In addition, the risk of infection with staphylococcus increases:

Bad habits: smoking, drinking alcohol, drinking narcotic drugs;
, lack of healthy sleep;
Sedentary lifestyle;
Use;
(vitamin deficiency);
Abuse of certain drugs – vasoconstrictors(violate the integrity of the nasal mucosa), antibiotics;
Violations of the integrity of the skin, mucous membranes of the nasal cavity and mouth.
Insufficient ventilation of rooms in which a person often stays (work, home);
Work in enterprises with high air pollution, especially without protective equipment(masks).

Symptoms of staphylococcus

The clinical picture (symptoms) of staphylococcus can be very diverse, which depends on the organ affected, the strain of the bacterium, the age of the person, and the functionality (health) of the potential patient’s immunity.

Common symptoms of staphylococcus can be:

Increased and high body temperature (often local) - up to, ;
(a rush of blood to the area inflammatory processes);
General malaise, soreness;
Swelling;
Pyoderma (develops when staphylococcus gets under the skin), folliculitis, carbunculosis,;
Decreased appetite, abdominal pain, ;
- , And ;
Diseases respiratory tract: , And ;
Purulent discharge from the nasopharynx and oropharynx is yellow-green;
Impaired sense of smell;
Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, sneezing;
Changing the timbre of the voice;
Toxic shock syndrome;
Drop in blood pressure;
"Scalded Baby Syndrome";
Impaired functioning of certain organs and tissues, which have become a source of infection;

Complications of staphylococcus:

Lung abscess;
Empyema of the pleura;
Loss of voice;
Fever;
Convulsions;

Scientists have divided most types of staphylococcus into 11 groups:

1. Staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococcus aureus)— S. aureus, S. Simiae.

Staphylococcus aureus is the most pathogenic for the human body. Once inside, they can cause inflammation and damage to almost all human organs and tissues, as well as form a golden pigment. Staphylococcus aureus has the property of producing the coagulase enzyme, which is why it is sometimes called coagulase-positive staphylococcus.

2. Ear staphylococci (Staphylococcus auricularis)- S. auricularis.

3. Staphylococcus carnosus- S. carnosus, S. condimenti, S. massiliensis, S. piscifermentans, S. simulans.

4. Epidermal staphylococci ( Staphylococcus epidermidis) - S. capitis, S. caprae, S. epidermidis, S. saccharolyticus.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is most often found on human skin and mucous membranes. It is a common cause of diseases such as endocarditis, sepsis, purulent lesions of wounds of the skin and urinary tract. At normal functioning immune system, the body does not allow epidermal staphylococci to multiply inside the body and infect it.

5. Hemolytic staphylococci (Staphylococcus haemolyticus)- S. devriesei, S. haemolyticus, S. hominis.

Hemolytic staphylococcus is most often the cause of diseases such as endocarditis, sepsis, inflammatory processes with suppuration on the skin, and urethritis.

6. Staphylococcus hyicus-intermedius- S. agnetis, S. chromogenes, S. felis, S. delphini, S. hyicus, S. intermedius, S. lutrae, S. microti, S. muscae, S. pseudintermedius, S. rostri, S. schleiferi.

7. Staphylococcus lugdunensis— S. lugdunensis.

8. Saprophytic staphylococci (Staphylococcus saprophyticus)– S. arlettae, S. cohnii, S. equorum, S. gallinarum, S. kloosii, S. leei, S. nepalensis, S. saprophyticus, S. succinus, S. xylosus.

Saprophytic staphylococcus is often the cause of urinary tract diseases such as cystitis and urethritis. This is due to the fact that saprophytic staphylococcus is found mainly on the skin of the genitals, as well as the mucous membranes of the urinary tract.

9. Staphylococcus sciuri– S. fleurettii, S. lentus, S. sciuri, S. stepanovicii, S. vitulinus.

10. Staphylococcus simulans– S. simulans.

11. Staphylococcus warneri– S. pasteuri, S. warneri.

Degrees of staphylococcus

To determine the exact treatment regimen, doctors divided the course of staphylococcal disease into 4 conventional degrees. This is due to the fact that various types infections, as well as their pathological activity at different times and at different conditions vary. In addition, this approach to diagnosis distinguishes between a staphylococcal infection and which group it belongs to - a completely pathogenic effect on the body, opportunistic and saprophytes, which practically do not cause any harm to humans.

Degrees of staphylococcus

Staphylococcus stage 1. Localization of infection for collection for diagnosis - nasopharynx and oropharynx, skin, genitourinary system. Clinical manifestations absent or minimal. With a healthy immune system, drug therapy not required.

Staphylococcus stage 2. Clinical manifestations (symptoms) are minimal or absent. If there are complaints, a thorough diagnosis is carried out for the presence of other types of infection. If it is determined that another type of bacteria is present in the body, antibacterial therapy is prescribed privately.

Staphylococcus 3 degrees. The patient has complaints. In most cases, antibiotic therapy is necessary, unless the attending physician considers the use of antibiotics to be unjustified. Treatment of stage 3 staphylococcus is usually aimed primarily at strengthening the immune system. If within 2 months the body does not recover, a individual scheme treatment of infection, incl. using antibacterial agents.

Staphylococcus stage 4. Therapy is aimed at strengthening the immune system, eliminating... Before using antibacterial therapy, a thorough diagnosis is carried out to determine the reaction of a particular type of staphylococcus to the drug.

Diagnosis of staphylococcus

Testing for staphylococcus is carried out from smears taken usually from the surface of the skin, mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract or urinary tract.

Additional examination methods may include:

How to treat staphylococcus? Treatment of staphylococcus usually consists of 2 points - strengthening the immune system and antibacterial therapy. If there are other diseases, their treatment is also carried out.

The use of antibiotics based on diagnosis is very important, since it is almost impossible to determine the type of staphylococcus from the clinical picture, and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics can cause a large number of side effects.

However, the following most popular antibiotics are used to treat staphylococcus.

Antibiotics for staphylococcus

Important! Before using antibiotics, be sure to consult your doctor.

"Amoxicillin". It has the property of suppressing infection, stopping its reproduction and negative effects on the body. Blocks the production of peptidoglycan.

"Baneotsin". Ointment for the treatment of staphylococcus in skin lesions. It is based on a combination of two antibiotics - bacitracin and neomycin.

"Vancomycin". Promotes the death of bacteria by blocking a component that is part of its composition cell membrane. It is used intravenously.

"Clarithomycin", "Clindamycin" And « » . They block the production of proteins by bacteria, without which they die.

"Cloxacillin". Blocks the proliferation of staphylococcus by blocking their membranes present during the stage of cell division. Usually prescribed at a dose of 500 mg/6 hours.

"Mupirocin" – antibacterial ointment at staphylococcal lesions skin. Used for external use. The ointment is based on three antibiotics - Bactroban, Bonderm and Supirocin.

"Oxacillin". Blocks bacterial cell division, thereby destroying them. Method of administration: oral, intravenous and intramuscular.

— In hot weather, avoid eating confectionery, meat, dairy and other products that are not stored in proper conditions;

— If the skin is injured, be sure to treat the wound with antiseptic agents, then cover it with a band-aid;

— Try not to visit beauty salons, tattoo parlors, solariums or dental clinics of dubious nature, where they may not adhere to sanitary standards for processing medical instruments.

Which doctor should you contact if you have a staphylococcal infection?

About 40% of the total population Russian Federation are permanent carriers of this opportunistic bacterium. Therefore, it is very important to know how Staphylococcus aureus is transmitted.

Staphylococcus aureus(Staphylococcus aureus) is a type of spherical gram-positive bacteria that is one of the four most common pathogens found inside medical institutions. This bacterium belongs to the genus of staphylococci from the class of bacilli, received this name because of the golden hue of its colonies.

MECHANISM OF INFECTION

The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most resistant of its kind to influence external factors. It is precisely because of the significant resistance to high temperatures that most antibiotic agents and many disinfectants make it quite easy to become infected with Staphylococcus aureus.

Infection occurs by contact of bacteria with mucous membranes and skin person. Getting into human body Under the influence of various factors that promote active reproduction, the bacterium can cause a fairly wide range of diseases, ranging from mild to life-threatening.

ROUTES OF INFECTION

Staphylococcus aureus is transmitted from person to person mainly through airborne droplets (by sneezing or severe coughing). With this route of infection transmission, the bacterium enters the nasal or oral mucosa of a healthy person upon contact with a patient or a medical worker who has been in contact with an infected person.

Along with the infection method described above, there are several other ways of data penetration pathogenic bacteria into the human body.

Ways of infection with Staphylococcus aureus:

Contact. Due to the high resistance of bacteria to wide range temperatures, ultraviolet radiation and most disinfectants, the infection can be contracted through contact of affected skin with surfaces and household items that have been used by an infected person.
Artificial. Quite often, Staphylococcus aureus becomes infected in hospitals due to improper or incomplete sterilization. medical equipment. This occurs due to the negligence of medical personnel, as well as due to the high resistance of the bacterium to most special antiseptics.
Nutritional. The route of infection is through human food. In this case, the danger is not the microorganism itself, but its waste product - enterotoxin, which, when it enters the stomach, causes severe food intoxication in the body. Staphylococcus aureus itself dies under the influence of gastric juice.
Airborne dust. In this case, the bacterium enters the body with particles of inhaled dust.

In children, Staphylococcus aureus can be transmitted by sharing soft toys, cutlery or pacifiers.

Staphylococcus aureus poses the greatest danger if the bacteria enters the human bloodstream. Most often this occurs due to reduced immunity, as a result of which the microorganism overcomes the protective lymphatic barriers and quickly spreads throughout the body, infecting it.

RISK FACTORS AND GROUPS

Transfer Staphylococcus aureus from a patient to a relatively healthy person"helps" a whole series factors. The main one is the weak level protective properties body due to transferred colds or a long course of taking antibiotic drugs.

Other factors include significant hypothermia, a long acclimatization process and the use of incorrectly selected antimicrobial medications.

Based on how Staphylococcus aureus is transmitted, in the process of making a diagnosis, at the first symptoms of the disease, they take into account the fact that those at risk are mainly medical workers those who are constantly in contact with infected people, young children, as well as elderly people with weakened immune systems.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Since the main routes of transmission of Staphylococcus aureus are airborne and artificial, when developing preventive measures, an emphasis was placed on these mechanisms of infection spread.

Of the main preventive measures the following can be distinguished.

Strict compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards workers of medical institutions.
Compliance with precautions when in contact with infected people (use gauze bandages, thorough hand washing with special antiseptic agents).
Eating food that stored under appropriate conditions, which is far from expiring.

Even people with the strongest immunity should not wonder whether Staphylococcus aureus is contagious. A 100% guarantee against infection is provided only by strict adherence to the above-described preventive measures.

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Many people are interested in this issue. Is staphylococcus contagious? Read all about staphylococcus infection in this article. The staphylococcus bacterium is transmitted through airborne droplets or due to poor hygiene. It is possible to become infected with staphylococcus through open wounds, burns, and the bacterium can enter through the eyes, skin or blood.

Is staphylococcus contagious?

Transmission of staphylococcus infections is possible through the use of medical instruments, catheters, dressings, various care items, and transmission through food is also very common.

Is staphylococcus infectious again? There is an opinion that with a single infection with staphylococcus there will be recurrences of the disease. This is due to the fact that during treatment it is not always possible to destroy all microbes. Those that remain can exist stationary for a long period, until a certain pathogen appears. Taking into account the ability of bacteria to harden to the influence of antibiotics, subsequent infections with staphylococcus will be complicated.

The body itself also adapts to the presence of the harmful staphylococcus bacterium, so the likelihood that you will get sick again and again is very high.

The impact of a once very effective drug, penicillin, on at the moment came down to zero results. Staphylococcus bacteria can withstand temperatures up to 150ºC for 10 minutes and survive in extreme cold conditions. The bacteria do not die even in pure ethyl alcohol. Its molecules are capable of destroying hydrogen peroxide, resistant to sunlight and NaCl salts.

Important information about staphylococcus infection

The only thing dangerous for it is the brilliant green solution, or, in simple terms, brilliant green and chlorophyllipt. Such bacteria are capable of forming purulent and inflammatory processes in the body.

You should be wary of waste products of staphylococcal bacteria. The coagulase enzyme they produce promotes strong blood clotting. Microbes can get inside blood clots and protect them from the body's immune defenses. As a result of their interaction, these bacteria can cause sepsis or blood poisoning, which cannot be treated, only a transfusion is necessary.

Another waste product is the enzyme enterotoxin, which, when produced in the intestines, leads to severe poisoning. The presence of staphylococcus in the lungs can be the causative agent of pneumonia. Bacteria can infect any human organ and cause purulent processes in them.

Many people may be infected with staphylococcus in tests, but this does not mean that it is dangerous for everyone. If there are no symptoms of the disease, then treatment for this problem is not required.

It usually occurs through the air or through food. You can also become infected with staphylococcus through household means, having dirty hands or through non-sterile medical devices. That is why, very often, a person acquires staphylococcus bacteria while in the hospital.

Causes of staphylococcus infection

Favorable conditions for the development of staphylococcus bacteria is a weakened body, the presence of different types of bacteria, dysbacteriosis. The likelihood of infection increases if a patient in a medical institution is treated only intravenous catheter, uses an internal feeding device, artificial ventilation or hemodialysis.

Infection with staphylococcus very often occurs during the procedure of piercing or tattooing, in which sanitary and hygienic conditions are not observed.

There are many symptoms of staph infection. They manifest themselves depending on the types of bacteria and the disease itself that is provoked by them. negative impact.

Skin diseases associated with staphylococcus are boils, carbuncles, boils, cellulitis, sycosis, skin abscess and subcutaneous tissue. This bacterium manifests itself in the form of burns.

A strong effect of bacteria on bones and joints has been noticed. Patients with staphylococcus infection suffer from osteomyelitis and arthritis. Hazardous exposure Almost all organs are affected. Infection of the heart with staphylococcus is accompanied by staphylococcal endocarditis, pneumonia and pleurisy occur in the lungs, sore throat forms in the throat, and the presence of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract leads to enteritis and enterocolitis.

When staphylococcal bacteria enter the brain, staphylococcal meningitis and brain abscess can begin to develop. Dangerous to the body is enterotoxin, which is released from staphylococcus bacteria. It can lead to poisoning.

What to do if you have staphylococcus?

Treating staphylococcus is a difficult task; if antibiotics are used incorrectly, the bacteria become accustomed to their effects, and then it becomes more difficult to destroy them.

Complex treatment for infection with staphylococcus consists of surgical intervention, if necessary, normalization of the body's metabolic processes, stimulation of the immune system, the use of vitamins, biological additives and various mineral preparations.

Surgical intervention for infection with staphylococcus involves the removal of purulent formations. To increase immunity, it is good to use drugs that include Eleutherococcus, ginseng, cordyceps, Chinese lemongrass and echinacea.