Causes, symptoms, degrees and treatment of staphylococcus aureus. How is it transmitted?

What is staphylococcus?

Staphylococcus is a bacterium that has the correct spherical shape and belongs to the group of gram-positive non-motile cocci. For humans, staphylococcus in some cases is part of the conditionally pathogenic microflora, that is, it always lives on the body. But pathogenic staphylococcus is also isolated, which, once inside the body, will definitely cause a disease. In addition, the pathogen is widely distributed in nature.

In the presence of certain conditions conducive to this, the bacterium can exhibit pathological activity and cause an inflammatory process in any organ or group of organs. It can be skin, nervous tissue, brain, heart, digestive system, etc.

Staphylococcus aureus has a large number of strains (27), the most common and pathogenic of which are Staphylococcus aureus, epidermal, saprophytic and hemolytic staphylococci. Each of them has a different degree of aggressiveness and pathogenetic activity.

The danger of these microorganisms is that they produce toxins and enzymes that are pathogenic for cells and disrupt their vital functions. Bacteria have a destructive effect on connective tissues, skin and subcutaneous tissue. They cause a number of dangerous diseases, including sepsis, toxic shock, disorders of the central nervous system, pneumonia, purulent skin lesions, general intoxication of the body. Often it is with staphylococcal infection that complications after inflammatory diseases and surgical operations are associated.

Staphylococci are stable in the environment and have a fairly high resistance to antibiotics.

Types of staphylococcus

There are three types of staphylococcus, which are the most common and harmful to the human body:

• Saprophytic staphylococcus aureus most often affects women, causing them to have inflammatory diseases of the bladder (cystitis) and kidneys. Saprophytic staphylococcus bacteria are localized in the layers of the skin of the genitals and the mucous membrane of the urethra. Of all the types of staphylococcus, it causes the least lesions;

• Epidermal staphylococcus aureus can live on all mucous membranes and any part of the human skin. With normal immunity, the body copes with this bacterium, and it does not cause any disease. But if somehow epidermal staphylococcus aureus gets from the skin into the blood of a person with weak immunity (after a surgical operation), inflammation of the endocardium (the inner lining of the heart) may develop due to blood poisoning;

• aurococcus is the most common and dangerous type. Adults and children, men and women are equally susceptible to infection. The bacterium can affect any organs, provoking inflammatory diseases, the number of which exceeds a hundred. It is an extremely resistant and tenacious microorganism that can withstand very high temperatures, exposure to direct sunlight, 100% ethyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and a number of antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus causes purulent skin lesions (chiri, boils, barley, etc.). It also causes a large number of dangerous systemic and general infections: staphylococcal sepsis, pneumonia, toxic shock, abscess formation in the brain, heart, liver and kidneys, osteomyelitis, food poisoning, etc.

Staphylococcus symptoms

Symptoms of staphylococcus will depend on which organ or system has been affected. The severity of manifestations is affected by the aggression of the microorganism and the state of immunity of a particular person.

Among the most common diseases caused by staphylococcus, the following can be distinguished:

• Pyoderma. As a result of the introduction of bacteria under the skin, a purulent inflammatory process occurs. This can affect the sebaceous and sweat glands, as well as hair follicles. Among the most frequent manifestations of pyoderma, there are folliculitis (inflammation of the upper part of the hair follicle), hydradenitis (when the site of infection is the sweat glands), carbuncle (when the skin, subcutaneous tissue and a group of hair follicles become inflamed), furuncle (the hair follicle, sebaceous gland and connective tissue around). Wherever the inflammatory process is localized, it is always accompanied by the appearance of purulent masses, swelling, hyperemia of the surrounding tissues and painful sensations of varying intensity. In some cases, there is an increase in temperature, vomiting and nausea may occur (more often with carbuncles and hydradenitis);

• Rhinitis. Causing an inflammatory process in the nasal mucosa, the bacterium leads to an abundant secretion of mucus, which makes nasal breathing difficult. It is here that the most dangerous type of bacteria most often settles – Staphylococcus aureus. In this case, a person can be both a permanent and temporary carrier. Most often, the patient complains of the following symptoms: shortness of breath, impaired sense of smell, increased secretion of mucous secretion, change in voice timbre, mouth breathing. At the beginning there is little mucus, but as the disease progresses, the volume of discharge from the nose increases and they become purulent;

• Sinusitis. They are characterized by an inflammatory process localized in the paranasal sinuses. More often than others, the maxillary and frontal regions suffer, which leads to the development of diseases such as sinusitis or frontal sinusitis. The disease is very common in the practice of otolaryngologists. Up to 10% of all diseases of the upper respiratory tract in adults are caused by sinusitis. Patients present with the following complaints: the impossibility of nasal breathing, rhinophony (nasal), severe runny nose with yellow-green discharge, general weakness, sleep disturbance, lack of appetite, fever (sometimes to high values), pain with localization in the inflamed sinuses. If the infection is acute, then the thermometer shows numbers up to 39 ° C, if it goes into the chronic stage, then no more than 37,5 ° C;

• Pharyngitis. They are characterized by an inflammatory process localized in the region of the mucous membrane lining the pharynx. Often, the infection captures nearby tissues of the tonsils. In this case, the disease is called tonsillopharyngitis. Patients experience the following symptoms: redness of the back of the throat, the appearance of viscous mucus on it, a feeling of sore throat, dry cough, hoarseness, pain when swallowing. All these signs are observed against the background of general weakness, with elevated body temperature and a decrease in appetite. According to statistics, pharyngitis caused by staphylococci is diagnosed in adults in no more than 5% of cases;

• Laryngitis. Accompanied by the presence of an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane lining the larynx. Often the trachea is exposed to infection, then the disease is called “laryngotracheitis”. A distinctive feature of a staphylococcal infection is the presence of a purulent discharge. In addition, the patient complains of pain in the larynx, dryness and itching, a change in the timbre of the voice, up to its loss. In addition, there is a low body temperature, usually not exceeding 37 ° C;

• Bronchitis. The disease is characterized by inflammation in the bronchi. Most often, it begins with the development of a pathological process in the upper respiratory tract with a gradual transition to the larynx, trachea and bronchi. The patient suffers from a cough, which can be both dry and wet with sputum discharge. If the bronchi are affected, the separated sputum will be with purulent contents. In addition, there is an increase in body temperature up to 39 ° C, shortness of breath and pain in the chest;

• Pneumonia. When the lung tissue is affected by a staphylococcal infection, the disease has a severe course. Statistics indicate that outside the hospital, a person can get this type of pneumonia in only 1% of cases, but inside the hospital, staphylococcus affects the lungs much more often, on average, in 15% of cases. Among the complex of symptoms there are regular repeated increases in body temperature. That is, it periodically rises and falls, which manifests itself in the form of chills. The patient suffers from severe shortness of breath, muscle weakness, pain when coughing and even when breathing. The place of localization of painful sensations is the chest, they are associated with stretching of the pleura. Sputum is not just mucous, but with purulent impurities. The complexion becomes cyanotic, which is a consequence of oxygen starvation. Often it is staphylococcal pneumonia that leads to the development of lung abscesses and pleural empyema. The most formidable complication is sepsis;

• Osteomyelitis. It manifests itself in purulent-necrotic lesions of bone tissue and bone marrow, as well as soft tissues surrounding the joints. In adulthood, the spine most often becomes inflamed, while the route of infection is hematogenous, that is, the bacterium reaches its destination through the bloodstream. In this case, the symptoms are not too pronounced. The temperature, as a rule, does not exceed subfebrile marks, while the person experiences pain at the site of inflammation and impaired motor function in the joints or back;

• Food poisoning, provoked by staphylococcus, develops acutely. Often, the first signs of infection are observed already half an hour after eating contaminated foods. Among the symptoms, patients note abdominal pain, frequent vomiting, diarrhea, and a feeling of nausea.

However, in order for the clinical picture of staphylococcal infections to be complete, it is necessary to give the general symptoms caused by the microorganism:

• Local increase in body temperature. It is a local increase in temperature due to the fact that in this way the body tries to cope with a pathogenic bacterium and prevent its reproduction. This method of protection is called bacteriostatic effect;
• Hyperemia, which is formed due to a rush of blood to the site of inflammation. In this case, the vessels dilate, and the outflow of venous blood decreases. This is also a protective reaction of the body to infection. In this way, he tries to increase the flow of oxygen in order to neutralize the toxic effect;
• Swelling of tissues due to increased vascular permeability;
• Painful sensations caused by compression of nerve endings by edematous tissues. Damage to the vessel may also occur due to excessive blood flow, which contributes to the appearance of painful sensations;
• Violation of the functionality of organs and tissues as a result of their damage at the cellular level.

It is important not to apply knowledge about the symptoms of staphylococcal infections in adulthood to children. This is due to the fact that the signs of the disease will be slightly different at different ages. This is especially true for newborns and children under one year old.

How is staphylococcus transmitted? Causes of infection

All diseases that a bacterium causes can occur as a result of the fact that the infection enters the body due to a violation of the integrity of the skin or mucous membranes, because it is a permanent inhabitant of the human microflora. In addition, infection can occur exogenously, that is, with food or as a result of close contact.

At the same time, one should not forget that some people are permanent or temporary carriers of this bacterium, which also has a significant role in the possibility of transmission. At the same time, pathogenic bacteria do not manifest themselves in any way, and such people pose a particular danger precisely to those around them.

There are the following possible ways of transmission of infection:

• Contact-household way. When bacteria enter the body through various household items or through direct contact with the skin. Sometimes it is enough to use someone else’s towel or bedding for infection to occur. In this case, the bacterium can cause both an inflammatory process, and simply infiltrate the body and lead to carriage;

• Airborne route. That is, a person inhales the air in which bacteria are present. Most often, sick people become the source of infection, releasing bacteria when coughing, sneezing and just breathing;

• Dust. Bacteria tend to exist for a long time in the surrounding dust. When it enters the respiratory tract, infection occurs. This path is called “air-dust”;

• fecal-oral route, which is also called alimentary. In this case, the release of bacteria occurs during vomiting or defecation of an infected organism. An uninfected person consumes foods containing staphylococcus aureus and becomes ill. Often this happens with insufficient hygiene, namely through dirty hands;

• Medical instruments. The bacterium can penetrate into a healthy body through poorly processed medical instruments, this is the so-called artificial method of infection. Infection occurs during the passage of diagnostic procedures, for example, during bronchoscopy, as well as during surgery. An additional danger is that instruments can be disinfected in the usual way, but they contain a bacterium that has developed resistance to specific sanitization methods.

In addition to the listed routes of infection, there are also indirect causes that provoke human infection with staphylococcus aureus:

• Any disease that causes a decrease in immune forces. This also includes frequent and severe stress and irregular sleep;
• General hypothermia of the body. This cause plays a leading role in the development of the inflammatory process in the upper respiratory tract. At low body temperatures, the work of the cilia of the ciliated epithelium, which line the nasal mucosa, slows down. Thus, it is much easier for staphylococcus to get into the body and provoke an inflammatory process;
• Existing diabetes mellitus and other disruptions in the endocrine system;
• Bad habits such as smoking and frequent drinking of alcoholic beverages.
• The presence of the immunodeficiency virus or AIDS;
• Any chronic illness;
• Age. According to statistics, newborns, children of early preschool age and the elderly are most susceptible to infection;
• Viral infections often precede the disease becoming bacterial. In most cases, this is observed with influenza and SARS, when, against the background of a decrease in immunity, staphylococci existing in the body begin to show pathological activity;
• Prolonged use of vasoconstrictor drops that violate the integrity of the nasal mucosa and contribute to the penetration of infection;
• Inhalation of allergens and toxic substances leads to bronchial trauma, which can become a provoking factor in the development of bacterial inflammation;
• Insufficient hygiene;
• Eating contaminated food;
• Violation of the integrity of the mucous membranes or skin.

Degrees of defeat by staphylococcus aureus

In medicine, it is customary to distinguish four degrees of infection with staphylococcus aureus, each of which is characterized by a certain severity and requires different treatment. It is necessary to distinguish between staphylococci, which are unconditionally pathogenic, which are detrimental to blood cells, and opportunistic, which contribute to the development of a minor inflammatory reaction. In addition, there are also saprophytes that cause almost no lesions.

It is the knowledge of the degree of pathogenesis that helps doctors to more accurately select the treatment and predict the nature of the course of the disease. Although the division by degree is very conditional, and in many respects the prognosis depends on the level of immunity of an infected person, as well as on his resistance to bacteria.

A doctor can identify the degree of activity of staphylococcus aureus by taking blood or other biological materials for laboratory testing. He also decides on the need for treatment and the nature of future therapy.

1 degree

When grade 1 infection is detected, a watchful and proactive approach is needed. This bacterium mainly parasitizes on human skin, and can also be present on the genitals and mucous membranes of the nasopharynx. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance where the material was taken from for the study, and whether the person has signs of inflammation.

If immunity is normal, then this degree of staphylococcal damage cannot cause pathological processes, which means that treatment is not required. But preventive sanitation of the skin and mucous membranes will not hurt.

2 degree

When staphylococcus is found in such a low diagnostic titer, most often doctors do not prescribe treatment. However, a comprehensive examination for the detection of other infections is necessary. This is especially true in the presence of any complaints about the pathological processes occurring in the body.

If it is found that a person has a concomitant infection, then the presence of staphylococcus in the body should be reduced as much as possible with the help of general antibiotic therapy and local sanitation. However, the need for treatment is determined by the doctor and depends on each individual case.

3 degree

When a person is found to have a grade 3 infection, most physicians agree that antibiotic therapy is necessary. Although in a normal state of immune forces, the bacterium will not be able to provoke an infectious process. Such a degree is considered tolerably possible, but with any failures in the body, it can lead to serious inflammatory reactions.

First of all, the doctor prescribes a treatment aimed at strengthening the immune system, if it does not give an effect after 2 months, then a further therapeutic regimen is developed in each case individually.

4 degree

When grade 4 infection is detected, specific treatment is required, although such indicators are considered only potentially dangerous. It is important to prevent the emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, and it is also necessary to determine the sensitivity of a particular bacterium to a particular agent. Only after that you can start treatment, which in the vast majority of cases (if there are no signs of inflammation) comes down to increasing immunity, getting rid of dysbacteriosis and beriberi.

Complications and consequences of staphylococcus aureus – what will happen if not treated?

When antibiotic therapy is not started in a timely manner, it threatens with serious complications:

• Endocarditis. In this case, the heart valves and the inner layers of the heart are affected. In this case, the patient experiences pain in the joints, increased heart rate, decreased performance, sometimes the body temperature rises. This pathology, in turn, is accompanied by no less serious diseases, including heart failure, meningitis, etc.;

• Meningitiscaused by staphylococcus, is characterized by purulent inflammation of the meninges, accompanied by high body temperature, nausea and vomiting, convulsions, severe headache. At the same time, even timely therapy is not a guarantee that the patient will avoid death. Mortality with adequate treatment is up to 30%;

• toxic shock syndrome often referred to as a symptom of a staph infection, but it is a complication of the disease. It consists in a shock reaction of the body in response to infection. In this case, drug therapy is difficult. The patient suffers from elevated body temperature, up to 40 °C, repeated vomiting and diarrhea. Blood pressure drops, the probability of death is high;

• Blood poisoning – Another formidable complication of untreated staphylococcal infection. It occurs when a bacterium enters the bloodstream and begins to poison the body with the produced toxins. It is sepsis caused by staphylococcus aureus that is the most common type of blood poisoning, and also the most dangerous. In addition to extremely high body temperature, he is accompanied by severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, damage to the liver, intestines, lungs, and brain. At the same time, antibiotic therapy without prior antibiogram often leads to high mortality among sick people.

Elimination of staphylococcus

In order to get rid of the bacteria, a competent selection of antibacterial therapy is necessary.

Treatment of staphylococcal infection requires strict adherence to the frequency of administration, the time of use of the drug and its dosage. It is important to take the prescribed antibiotic not until the first symptoms disappear, and not less than 5 days. If it is necessary to extend the course, the doctor will inform about it. In addition, you can not stop treatment, therapy must be continuous.

Prevention of staphylococcus aureus

Prevention in the fight against infection is a necessary measure, which doctors around the world are talking about. Firstly, this is due to the fact that every year the bacterium becomes more and more resistant to antibacterial agents designed to eliminate it. This makes fighting infection especially difficult. Secondly, staphylococcus is capable of causing serious harm to the human body, so it is easier to prevent the development of inflammation than to fight it later. And thirdly, treatment with antibacterial agents always involves certain health risks in the form of various side effects.

Therefore, the following preventive measures will help maintain health:

• Timely elimination of possible foci of infection. The sources can be caries on the teeth, constantly inflamed tonsils, overgrown adenoids, conjunctivitis, unremoved tooth roots, boils, barley, inflammatory diseases of the genital area and urinary tract. Any focus is a source of increased danger, which should be eliminated immediately. Moreover, harm can be done not only to their own health, but also to the health of those around them;
• Prevention of SARS and seasonal influenza epidemics. In relation to the latter, it is advisable to undergo vaccination;
• Cleanliness of the workplace, housing and clothing, ventilation of the premises, especially when a large number of people gather. It’s no secret that not only clothing, but also dust is often contaminated with staphylococcus aureus. In addition, it is unacceptable to use other people’s items for personal hygiene;
• Going in for sports, rational nutrition, giving up bad habits, maintaining an active lifestyle. All this will strengthen the immune forces of the body and help it resist possible infection;
• Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene. In relation to the prevention of staph infection, it is most appropriate to talk about regular hand washing;
• Eating clean, preferably thermally processed foods that have not expired. Often the source of infection is confectionery, canned food, poorly processed fruits and vegetables, as well as meat and milk from cows with mastitis;
• Timely treatment of wounds with antiseptic or antibacterial agents;
• Visiting a doctor when the first symptoms of the disease are detected or if a possible infection is suspected;
• Careful processing of instruments by medical personnel. Prevention of negligence to sanitary standards;
• Refusal to go to dubious tattoo parlors, manicure rooms, solariums and other establishments of this kind.