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Millions and billions of pathogenic and opportunistic microbes of dozens of different species “neighbor” with a person. Even in a healthy body, there are a lot of potential pathogens, from E. coli to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Normally, human immunity is able to suppress the activity of any “intruder”. However, many of the infectious agents remain in a latent state only up to a certain time. One such microbe is Staphylococcus epidermidis.
What is Staphylococcus epidermidis?
Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic bacterium that can infect human tissues. Already from the name it follows that this pathogen is able to show its infectious-toxic properties only in separately taken specific conditions.
On the skin of a healthy person (in the surface layer – the epidermis), epidermal staphylococcus settles quite often. In this case, the microorganism does not give itself away. The reason is its low infectious potential. Unlike its “brother”, Staphylococcus aureus, which is highly aggressive and can cause severe purulent pathologies (including bone damage – osteomyelitis and brain damage – meningitis), the epidermal variety almost does not cause diseases.
Even the fragile immunity of a newborn child usually copes with the suppression of the microorganism.
Causes of infection with epidermal staphylococcus aureus
There are two main causes of staphylococcus epidermidis:
Neglect of hygiene rules;
Contact with an infected person.
This bacterium, despite its weak infectious potential, is highly resistant, therefore it is found everywhere and, like any bacterial agent, is capable of rapid reproduction. It is easy to become a carrier of epidermal staphylococcus aureus: you can “get it” on the street, by contact with handrails in public transport or with railings at the entrance, by counting money, etc.
Therefore, the main reason for the carriage of bacteria: a violation of the rules of personal hygiene. A less common reason is physical contact with the carrier (handshakes, kisses, etc.) or his personal belongings.
Causes of epidermal staphylococcal infections
Because Staphylococcus epidermidis is extremely resistant to adverse conditions, multiplies rapidly and is difficult to detect, it often exists quietly even in hospitals. It is impossible to create ideally sterile conditions even in medical institutions, therefore, epidermal staphylococcus aureus takes root perfectly in hospitals.
Often, patients become infected during therapeutic and diagnostic procedures: blood sampling, surgery, etc. Once in the surrounding tissues, staphylococcus begins intensive reproduction, penetrating into the bloodstream. With the blood flow, the microorganism enters various organs, forming foci of chronic inflammation.
In addition, the cause of infection with staphylococcus aureus can be immune dysfunction. Weakened immunity is unable to effectively suppress staphylococci, as a result of which they are activated and penetrate the body. Most often, epidermal staphylococcus aureus affects the skin and intestines.
Symptoms
With the defeat of epidermal staphylococcus, the symptoms may be mild or not expressed at all (when the disease occurs in a latent form):
At the local, dermal level, the microorganism manifests itself in the development of boils, carbuncles, acne;
Sometimes this bacterium multiplies on food. In this case, the development of poisoning with all the specific symptoms is possible;
In the elderly and children, staphylococcus most often affects the mucous membrane of the large intestine, causing acute colitis;
In the vast majority of cases, infection with staphylococcus is unnoticeable. Foci of secondary inflammation are formed. The clinical picture is characterized by signs of general intoxication. Slight increase in body temperature, general malaise, headache, weakness, etc.;
In addition, symptoms of a dysfunctional lesion of a particular organ are added.
Thus, specific symptoms are characterized by a triad of signs:
Manifestations of general intoxication;
Development of local skin focal lesions;
Manifestations from various organs and systems (kidneys, liver, heart).
Methods of diagnosis
Diagnosis includes history taking and laboratory tests.
Blood is taken for cultures on PS (nutrient media), general analysis of feces, sputum analysis. Some amount of staphylococcus in biological materials is acceptable, but if the figure exceeds 104 units per gram, we are talking about excessive reproduction of microorganisms and suspected infection.
Treatment of epidermal staphylococcus aureus
Treatment is standard for combating any infectious agent. The patient is advised to take anti-inflammatory drugs and antibacterial drugs. Specific therapy is also carried out to ensure the normal functioning of the affected organs. In addition, vitamin-mineral complexes are prescribed to restore immunity functions.
Uncontrolled intake of antibacterial drugs will eventually lead to the fact that staphylococcus will develop resistance to most antibacterial agents and will remain “neighbour” with a person for a long time.
Thus, epidermal staphylococcus, although classified as an opportunistic pathogen, is not harmless. On the contrary, the bacterium is extremely insidious and “waits” for the right moment. Staphylococcus epidermidis has a high adaptability and resistance to adverse environmental factors. The infections caused by it do not have their own specifics, therefore they are difficult to diagnose.
The treatment of diseases caused by this pathogen is complex and lengthy, and also requires great precision, since with the illiterate actions of the attending physician or the patient himself, the microorganism can become almost invincible.