Hemolytic Staphylococcus Aureus - Symptoms, Routes Of Infection And Treatment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Hemolytic staphylococcus

Content:

• Symptoms of hemolytic staphylococcus
• Ways of infection with hemolytic staphylococcus
• Treatment of hemolytic staphylococcus
• Prevention of hemolytic staphylococcus

Hemolytic staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that causes infectious and inflammatory reactions in the human body. The name hemolytic microorganism is due to its ability to hemolysis, that is, to destruction. Hemolytic staphylococcus aureus is a conditionally pathogenic bacterium for humans, it is capable of causing various purulent processes.

The size of the bacteria can reach 1.3 microns, they settle in groups resembling a bunch of grapes. It is most often found in the armpits, groin and perineum. A distinctive feature of hemolytic staphylococcus is their super-resistance to antibacterial drugs.

Symptoms of hemolytic staphylococcus

Until a person's immunity is functioning properly, he should not worry about staphylococcal infection.

However, as soon as the protection weakens, hemolytic staphylococcus begins to multiply actively and can lead to various diseases, including:

• Lesions of the upper respiratory tract are accompanied by the formation of purulent plaque on the tonsils, purulent discharge from the nose, pain in the affected area.
• Skin lesions are accompanied by purulent inflammation, such as: the development of abscesses, boils, pustules.
• Endocarditis, that is, an inflammatory reaction localized in the lining of the heart, can also be caused by hemolytic staphylococcus.
• Lesions of the urethra and cystitis, which is expressed in frequent urination, purulent discharge and the appearance of pain.
• The defeat of the respiratory system, in particular the pleura and lungs, which is expressed in a cough with discharge of purulent sputum, lack of air, blue lips, etc.
• Lesions of the digestive system, with the inclusion of the stomach and intestines in the process. They are characterized by the occurrence of local pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and bloating.
• Brain and spinal cord lesions, brain abscess.
• Septic lesions, when all organ systems are included in the pathological process, since the infection spreads through the blood.
• Damage to bone tissue and joints, which manifests itself in stiffness of movements, the occurrence of pain and redness of the skin in the area of inflammation.

In addition, each of the diseases, as a rule, is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, decreased performance, lack of desire to eat, and drowsiness. These signs are the result of general intoxication of the body.

Ways of infection with hemolytic staphylococcus

For infection to occur, direct contact with the bacteria is necessary. The infection can be transmitted:

• Airborne droplets, when a person who is talking, coughing or sneezing becomes the source of spread.
• By contact, through any household items or even through handshakes. People with open purulent wounds are especially dangerous.
• By food, that is, through the consumption of contaminated foods. The bacteria can get on food from both a sick animal and a sick person.

Among the risk factors that increase the likelihood of infection, first of all, it is possible to note non-observance of basic hygiene skills. In addition, chronic diseases, weakened immunity, viral infections, uncontrolled intake of antibacterial agents, and dysbiosis contribute to infection.

Treatment of hemolytic staphylococcus

Treatment should begin with the determination of the sensitivity of hemolytic staphylococcus to a specific drug. If there is no time to wait for the results of the analysis, then, as a rule, therapy for staphylococcal infection begins with the use of protected penicillins. It can be sulbactam, amoxicillin, or clavulant. The choice of drugs determines the high resistance of the bacteria to drugs of the penicillin series. Whereas combining ampicillin with clavulanic acid can help overcome this resistance.

After the result of the analysis for the sensitivity of hemolytic staphylococcus to antibiotics is obtained, it is possible to replace the previously selected agent. Among the most commonly used: macrolides, lincosamides, cephalosparins.

The fact that the course intake of antibacterial agents must be completed must be decided only by the doctor. In no case should you violate the prescribed treatment regimen or stop taking the antibiotic on your own, as this threatens the development of super-resistance of the bacteria and the lack of funds to neutralize it.

In addition, symptomatic remedies must be used during treatment. So, to eliminate pain and reduce body temperature, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. Depending on the localization of the infection, it is possible to carry out local treatment, for example, gargling with antiseptic solutions, rinsing the nose, etc. Staphylococci are especially sensitive to chlorhexidine, chlorophyllipt, furacilin.

If antibacterial agents are not able to cope with hemolytic staphylococcus, then it is possible to use a bacteriophage or toxoid acting against it.

In some cases, treatment is required not only for the active form of the bacterium, but also for the elimination of its carrier. For example, if we are talking about a pregnant woman. She is prescribed immunization with staphylococcal toxoid subcutaneously.

Prevention of hemolytic staphylococcus

In order to prevent infection with hemolytic staphylococcus and prevent the infection from spreading, the following preventive measures are advisable:

• Timely identification of patients with hemolytic infection and adequate therapy;
• You should not ignore the rules of personal hygiene, which primarily boil down to regular hand washing and using only your own care products;
• Elimination of chronic foci of infection that contribute to a decrease in immunity;
• Refusal of self-treatment with antibacterial agents;
• Taking vitamin and mineral complexes;
• Frequent ventilation of premises and wet cleaning, especially in places where a large number of people accumulate.

The author of the article: Lazarev Oleg Vladimirovich | ENT

Education: In 2009, he received a diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" at the Petrozavodsk State University. After completing an internship at the Murmansk Regional Clinical Hospital, he received a diploma in Otorhinolaryngology (2010)