How Is Staphylococcus Aureus Treated? 12 Best Drugs For Treating Staphylococcus

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

How is staphylococcus aureus treated? 12 best drugs for treating staphylococcus

The human body can be home to thousands of microbes and bacteria, and such a neighborhood does not necessarily end with disease. Immunity reliably protects us, restraining the activity of uninvited guests and forcing them to follow the rules of good form. Staphylococcus aureus is no exception; it is normally found in about a third of the world's population, but does not manifest itself in any way for the time being.

Weakening of immunity, banal hypothermia or the presence in the body of another infection against which antibiotics were used - these are the reasons why staphylococcus aureus can go on the offensive. Therefore, it is important to understand two things: you cannot be treated with antibiotics in case of the slightest malaise or cold, and it is simply pointless to use them against staphylococcus aureus for prevention. You still will not get rid of carriage, but you will introduce your staphylococcus aureus to antibacterial drugs and nullify their effectiveness in the future, when they may really be needed.

The only reasonable measure to prevent staphylococcal infections is local sanitation of the skin, mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract during the cold season, as well as taking medications that strengthen the immune system. The appointment of antibiotics is justified only in the case of severe, life-threatening diseases: pneumonia, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, multiple purulent abscesses on the skin and soft tissues, boils on the face and head (in close proximity to the brain). But before choosing an antibiotic against staphylococcus, a qualified doctor always does a bacterial culture.

In a sanitary-epidemiological station, a dermatovenerologic dispensary or a medical office of a specialized specialist (ENT, dermatovenerologist, gynecologist, urologist, pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist), a bacterial culture is taken from the site of localization of staphylococcal infection. This can be a swab from the throat, a purulent abscess on the skin, vagina or urethra, as well as a sample of blood, sputum, urine, saliva, gastric juice, semen, and other bodily fluids.

The resulting material is placed in a nutrient medium, after a while the colony of staphylococci multiplies, and the laboratory assistant can determine what type of pathogen is, and to which antibiotics it is sensitive.

The inoculation result looks like a list in which one of the letter designations stands opposite the names of all current antimicrobial drugs:

• S (susceptible) - sensitive;
• I (intermediate) - moderately sensitive;
• R (resistant) - resistant.

Among antibiotics from the "S" or, in extreme cases, "I" group, the attending physician chooses a drug with which the patient has not treated any disease during the previous several years. So there are more chances to succeed and avoid the rapid adaptation of staphylococcus to the antibiotic. This is especially important when it comes to the treatment of protracted and often recurrent staphylococcal infections.

Content:

• Antibiotics and staphylococcus
• Is it possible to completely get rid of staphylococcus?
• How is staphylococcus reorganized?
• 12 best drugs for treating staphylococcus
• Staphylococcal infection and hormones

Antibiotics and staphylococcus

In fact, there is only one objective reason for using antibiotics against such a resistant and flexible pathogen as staphylococcus aureus - the expected benefits will outweigh the inevitable harm. Only when the infection has engulfed the entire body, got into the bloodstream, caused a fever, and natural defenses are not enough to defeat the disease, do you have to resort to antibiotic therapy.

But there are three good reasons to stop using antibiotics when treating staphylococcus aureus:

• To cope with some types of pathogen, for example, Staphylococcus aureus, can only be second or third generation cephalosporins, semi-synthetic penicillins (oxacillin, methicillin), and the most powerful modern antibiotics (vancomycin, teicoplanin, fuzidin, linezolid). It is increasingly necessary to resort to extreme measures, because over the past 5-10 years, staphylococci have mutated and acquired the beta-lactamase enzyme, with which they successfully destroy cephalosporins and methicillin. For such pathogens, there is the term MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), and they have to be destroyed by combinations of drugs, for example, fusidin with biseptol. And if the patient used antibiotics uncontrollably before the onset of an extensive staphylococcal infection, the pathogen may be insensitive;

• No matter how effective the antibiotic is, in practice the effect of its use against staphylococcus is almost always temporary. For example, with furunculosis, after successful relief of the infection in 60% of patients, the disease recurs, and it is no longer possible to cope with it with the help of the same drug, since the pathogen has adapted. Obviously, such a price is worth paying only for "getting out of the peak", when it is simply impossible to stabilize the condition of a patient with staphylococcal infection without an antibiotic;
• Antibiotics do not choose victims - in addition to the bacteria against which you use them, they destroy other microorganisms, including beneficial ones. Long-term treatment with antibacterial drugs almost always provokes dysbiosis in the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary organs, and also aggravates the risk of activating other infections present in the body in the form of a carrier.

Is it possible to completely get rid of staphylococcus?

Let's say right away - no, you can't. Only in very rare cases, when staphylococcus got on a small area of the skin, and human immunity was activated for some reason, macrophages manage to cope with an uninvited guest, and then they talk about "transient carriage of staphylococcus." If such a situation is discovered, it is by pure chance. More often, the pathogen manages to gain a foothold in a new place, especially if the contact was extensive (bathing in an infected pond, using infected clothing, bed linen, towels). Acquired in a hospital, kindergarten, school or summer camp, staphylococcus aureus usually lives in the body for life.

Why doesn't the immune system of a healthy child or adult get rid of this dangerous bacteria? Because there are no objective reasons for that, until the carriage turns into a disease. Staphylococcus modestly sitting in a corner does not arouse any interest in the immune system, leukocytes and macrophages do not declare hunting for it, and the necessary antibodies are not produced in the blood. But what to do if, for example, a child suffers from staphylococcal sore throat every autumn-winter, or a girl who knows about the presence of a harmful bacteria in her body is planning a pregnancy?

In these cases, it is necessary to resort to immunostimulating therapy and sanitation of the available problem areas: pharynx, nasopharynx, skin, vagina. Such measures will not allow you to get rid of staphylococcus forever, but will significantly reduce the number of its colonies and reduce the risk of carrier transition into a dangerous disease.

How is staphylococcus reorganized?

Preventive sanitation is a very effective measure, which is recommended to regularly resort to all carriers of staphylococcus. Employees of children's educational and medical institutions take nasal swabs twice a year, and if the result is positive, sanitation is carried out, and then the analysis is taken again, trying to achieve a complete absence of staphylococcus in the upper respiratory tract. This is very important, because this is the only way to insure against the spread of the pathogen by airborne droplets.

If you or your child have recurrences of tonsillitis, furunculosis and other purulent-inflammatory diseases every year, the cause of which (according to the test results, and not based on your guesses) is staphylococcus, it is worth replenishing the home medicine cabinet with means for local sanitation. With the help of these drugs, rinsing the throat, instilling the nose, placing cotton swabs in the nasal passages, irrigation or douching of the genital tract, rubbing and lubricating the skin or mucous membranes, depending on the location of the carrier, is performed. For each case, you need to select the appropriate version of the drug and strictly adhere to the instructions.

Here is a list of all effective solutions and ointments against staphylococcus:

• Retinol acetate (vitamin A) oil solution;
• Sodium hypochlorite electrolysis solution;
• Furacilin solution;
• St. John's wort decoction;
• Aloe Vera Gel;
• Bactroban ointment;
• Hexachlorophene ointment;
• Chlorophyllipt;
• Lysozyme;
• Rivanol;
• Boric acid;
• Lugol or iodine solution;
• Potassium permanganate;
• Methylene blue;
• Octenisept;
• Fukortsin (Castellani liquid).

12 best drugs for treating staphylococcus

We have prepared for you a hit parade of the twelve most effective and safe means, with the help of which modern specialists treat staphylococcus aureus. But let this information not serve as a reason for self-medication, because only a qualified doctor, after a thorough diagnosis, can prescribe a drug that is right for you and will not cause unwanted side effects. It is especially important to show a good doctor a child suffering from a staphylococcal infection, and not be too lazy to pass the necessary tests.

Bacterial lysates

The group of lysates includes preparations that are a fragmented multibacterial culture. Once in the body, particles of bacteria (including staphylococcus) cannot cause a full-scale infection, since their cellular structure is disturbed. But they can provoke an immune response and the production of antibodies. Lysates have many advantages - safety, lack of addiction, contraindications and side effects, the ability to take them as needed, and not follow a fixed course of treatment. There is only one drawback - high cost. The most popular lysates for the treatment of staphylococcus: imudon, respibron, bronchomunal, spray IRS-19.

Staphylococcal toxoid

This drug is a toxin (poisonous waste product) of staphylococci grown in the laboratory. The toxin is purified and rendered harmless, and then placed in 1 ml ampoules and packaged in boxes of 10 ampoules. This volume of staphylococcal toxoid is enough for one course of treatment, the result of which will be the formation of stable immunity in an adult. Toxoid is contraindicated in children.

The introduction of the drug is carried out in a hospital for ten days, alternately under the right and left shoulder blades. The nurse carefully monitors the patient's condition during the first 30 minutes after the injection. Allergic reactions, up to anaphylactic shock, are possible. During the entire course of treatment, subfebrile body temperature, redness and swelling of the skin at the injection site of toxoid may be observed.

Staphylococcal antifagin (vaccine)

Unlike toxoid, the vaccine is a complex of ready-made heat-resistant antigens for all possible types of staphylococcus. It is also sold in 1 ml ampoules and cartons of 10 ampoules. Vaccination against staphylococcus is allowed from the age of six months, but exceptions are allowed, the main thing is that the baby's body weight is at least 2.5 kg. Staphylococcal antifagin causes the formation of specific immunity, which can be lost over time, therefore, annual revaccination is recommended. In Russia, all these measures are not included in the list of mandatory vaccinations, but at the request of the parents, the child can be vaccinated against staphylococcus.

KIP (Complex immunoglobulin preparation)

This medicine for the treatment of staphylococcus and other bacterial infections is made from donated blood by drying. KIP is a protein powder containing three types of antibodies (IgA (15-25%), IgM (15-25%), IgG (50-70%) and packaged in glass ampoules with a capacity of 5 ml. It is this drug that best copes with staphylococcus, because it contains the largest amount of IgA and IgM antibodies in comparison with other immunoglobulin drugs.

IgM antibodies effectively destroy staphylococci, shigella, salmonella, escherichia and other pathogens of intestinal infections, IgA antibodies prevent bacteria from multiplying and sticking to the cells of the body, and IgG antibodies neutralize toxins and help destroy staphylococcus by macrophages - the fighters of our immunity. Thus, the instrumentation has several advantages at once: versatility, complex action, convenient oral intake and the absence of contraindications.

Anti-staphylococcal human immunoglobulin

It is also a protein powder extracted from donated blood, but it differs from KIP in its narrow specialization: it contains antibodies only to staphylococcus alpha exotoxin. Taking such a drug, a patient with staphylococcal infection receives temporary help from a donor. As soon as the intake of immunoglobulin is stopped, the effect will end, because such treatment does not force the body to produce its own antibodies to staphylococcus, but only compensates for their absence. Intravenous administration of donor antistaphylococcal immunoglobulin temporarily saves in case of severe diseases, for example, with sepsis, endocarditis or pneumonia against the background of AIDS.

Aloe vera

Preparations based on aloe extract (capsules, gels, injections, ointments, syrups) have proven themselves well not only in the treatment of staphylococcus. The high biological activity of aloe vera allows you to strengthen the immune system, cope with infections of any localization and quickly alleviate the patient's condition. For example, subcutaneous administration of aloe solution for staphylococcal furunculosis in a few days reduces swelling, neutralizes pain and stops an acute inflammatory process.

But like any powerful natural stimulant, aloe vera has contraindications. It is not recommended for pregnant women, as well as for women with heavy menstruation, endometriosis and polycystic disease, since aloe increases blood circulation and can provoke internal bleeding. It also increases the activity of the endocrine glands, which is very dangerous for gastric ulcer and pancreatitis. In short, a comprehensive assessment of the state of the body of a patient with staphylococcal infection is necessary before deciding on treatment with aloe vera.

Chlorophyllipt

Another medicinal plant that can cope with staphylococcus is eucalyptus. From the juice of eucalyptus leaves, an alcohol solution (from 0.25 to 1% concentration) is made for internal and local use, as well as an oil solution (2% concentration) for intravaginal use in staphylococcal erosion of the cervix.

A weak alcoholic solution of chlorophyllipt is added to water and drunk for intestinal infections, as well as instilled and put into the nose, rinse a sore throat, put enemas - that is, used to sanitize mucous membranes. A more concentrated preparation is suitable for treating the skin affected by abscesses, ulcers, boils and fistulas. In rare cases (with sepsis, peritonitis, pleural empyema, pulmonary abscess), chlorophyllipt is injected intravenously or directly into the body cavity.

Before the first use, a test is always carried out for an allergic reaction: the patient drinks half a glass of water with 25 drops of chlorophyllipt dissolved, and if no negative effects are observed within a day, staphylococcus can be treated with this drug. Chlorophyllipt is prescribed only for adults and children over twelve years old.

Mupirocin

This is the international non-proprietary name of an antibiotic, which acts as an active ingredient in several medicinal ointments: Bonderm, Supirocin, Bactroban. Mupirocin has a very wide range of uses; it is active against staphylococci, gonococci, pneumococci and streptococci, including aureus and methicillin resistant ones.

With the help of ointments based on mupirocin, local treatment of skin and nasal staphylococcal infections is carried out. There are two types of ointments with different concentrations of antibiotic, separately for the skin, separately for the mucous membrane. Theoretically, you can lubricate abscesses, ulcers and boils with any type of ointment, but you only need to put in the nose a specially designed drug for this. Ointments with mupirocin can be used from the age of six, they very rarely cause side effects and allergic reactions, while doing an excellent job with local treatment of staphylococcus.

Baneocin

This is also an ointment for external use, the active component of which is a tandem of two antibiotics: neomycin and bacitracin. Both antibacterial agents are active against staphylococci, but together they work better, cover a greater number of strains, and addiction develops to them more slowly.

Baneocin is almost not absorbed into the bloodstream when applied topically, but creates a very high concentration of antibiotics in the skin, therefore it copes well with abscesses, ulcers and boils caused by staphylococcus. Nevertheless, like all antibiotics of the aminoglycoside group, bacitracin and neomycin are dangerous for their side effects: hearing and vision depression, impaired renal function, and impaired circulation of nerve impulses in the muscles. Therefore, it is recommended to use baneocin only for the treatment of staphylococcal infections that affect no more than one percent of the skin surface (approximately from the palm).

Baneocin ointment is available without a prescription and is allowed for children, but is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women due to the risk of antibiotics entering the blood and breast milk.

Fusidin

Fusidin, fusidic (fusidic) acid, sodium fusidate - all these are the names of one antibiotic, perhaps the most effective against most strains of staphylococcus. On the basis of this drug, ointments with a two percent concentration (fucidin, fusiderm) are produced, which are intended for the local treatment of staphylococcus. These ointments should not be applied to the mucous membranes, and even on the skin they can cause irritation and redness, but usually after a week of regular use, the staphylococcal infection is localized, and the inflammation heals completely.

Fusiderm cream is one of the best remedies for acne on the face caused by staphylococcus. With long-term persistent red weeping acne, it is imperative to pass a scraping for analysis, and if the doctor discovers strains of staphylococcus, it is fusiderm that will be the best choice for treatment, which usually lasts 14 days, and in 93% of cases ends with success.

It is possible to use ointments based on fusidin not only for adults, but also for children over one month old, since this antibiotic does not cause dangerous side effects and hardly penetrates the bloodstream when applied topically. However, it is usually not advised to expectant and lactating mothers, since the effect of fusidine on a child when it enters the circulatory system has not yet been sufficiently studied.

Galavit

Strictly speaking, the drug galavit is not indicated for the treatment of staphylococcus, but its use in practice gives hope for success in the fight against resistant strains. Galavit is a relatively new immunomodulator and a rare guest on the shelves of our pharmacies. Western European clinical studies have shown that it has two actions at once: immunostimulating and bactericidal, and this in itself is a great breakthrough.

The immunomodulatory effect of galavit is due to its ability to slow down too active macrophages, so that they have a destructive effect on pathogens, including staphylococcus, for a longer time. In other words, this drug allows our body to use its defenses more rationally and fully.

Galavit is available in the form of lingual tablets, injection solution and rectal suppositories, so it is convenient to use it to treat staphylococcal infections of any localization. The drug is approved for use by adults and children over six years old, but is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women, again, simply due to insufficient knowledge.

Staphylococcal infection and hormones

In conclusion, it would be wise to say a few words about the treatment of staphylococcus with hormonal drugs. Glucocorticoids, that is, synthetic derivatives of human corticosteroid hormones, quickly stop inflammation of any etiology. They disrupt the entire chain of natural reactions (a pathogen appeared - the body reacted - hormones were developed - an inflammatory process began - leukocytes multiplied - a purulent abscess appeared - pain and fever appeared). Drugs from the glucocorticoid group (prednisolone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone and others) forcefully interrupt this scenario at the very beginning. But they do not destroy the cause of the inflammation, but simply force the body not to respond to the pathogen.

So what threatens the use of hormonal ointments for the local treatment of staphylococcus? The fact that after the rapid suppression of the inflammatory process and the removal of pain sensations, a real thunder will burst: hormones have hammered the natural immune response, there are no antibodies to the pathogen, and now the body is face to face with the infection completely unarmed. Conclusion: treatment of staphylococcus with hormonal ointments is advisable only if it is a combined drug that also contains an antibiotic. And the intake of glucocorticoids inside with an extensive staphylococcal lesion of the body, as with any other blood infection, is strictly prohibited.

Author of the article: Alekseeva Maria Yurievna | Therapist

Education: From 2010 to 2016 Practitioner of the therapeutic hospital of the central medical-sanitary unit No. 21, city of elektrostal. Since 2016 she has been working in the diagnostic center No. 3.