Staphylococcus Epidermidis

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Staphylococcus epidermidis

Content:

• What is Staphylococcus epidermidis?
• Reasons for infection
• Staphylococcus epidermidis symptoms
• Diagnostic methods
• Treatment of epidermal staphylococcus

Millions and billions of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microbes of dozens of different species "coexist" with man. Even in a healthy body, there are many potential causative agents of diseases, from E. coli to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Normally, human immunity is able to suppress the activity of any "uninvited guest". However, many of the infectious agents remain dormant only up to a certain time. One of these microbes is Staphylococcus epidermidis.

What is Staphylococcus epidermidis?

Epidermal staphylococcus aureus is a opportunistic bacterium that can infect the tissues of the human body. Already from the name it follows that this pathogen is capable of manifesting its infectious-toxic properties only under specific specific conditions.

On the skin of a healthy person (in the surface layer - the epidermis), staphylococcus epidermidis settles quite often. In this case, the microorganism does not give itself out in any way. The reason lies in its low infectious potential. Unlike its "brother", Staphylococcus aureus, which is highly aggressive and capable of causing severe purulent pathologies (including bone damage - osteomyelitis and brain damage - meningitis), the epidermal variety causes almost no disease.

Even the fragile immunity of a newborn child usually copes with the suppression of a microorganism.

Causes of infection with epidermal staphylococcus

There are two main reasons for staphylococcus epidermidis damage:

• Disregard for 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: it can be "obtained" on the street, by contact with handrails in public transport or with handrails at the entrance, counting money, etc.

Therefore, the main reason for the carrier of the bacteria: violation of personal hygiene rules. A less common reason is physical contact with the wearer (shaking hands, kissing, etc.) or his personal belongings.

Reasons for the development of epidermal staphylococcal infections

Since 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, staphylococcus epidermidis perfectly takes root in hospitals.

Often, patients become infected during therapeutic and diagnostic procedures: blood sampling, surgery, etc. Once in the surrounding tissues, staphylococcus begins to multiply intensively, penetrating into the bloodstream. With the blood flow, the microorganism enters various organs, forming foci of chronic inflammation.

In addition, immune dysfunction can cause staphylococcal infection. Weakened immunity is not able to effectively suppress staphylococci, as a result of which they are activated and penetrate into the body. Most often, Staphylococcus epidermidis affects the skin and intestines.

Staphylococcus epidermidis symptoms

With staphylococcus epidermidis, symptoms may be mild or not expressed at all (when the disease is latent):

• 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 aureus most often affects the mucous membrane of the large intestine, causing acute colitis;
• In the overwhelming majority of cases, staphylococcal infection is subtle. Foci of secondary inflammation are formed. The clinical picture is characterized by signs of general intoxication. A slight increase in body temperature, general malaise, headache, weakness, etc.;
• In addition, symptoms of a dysfunctional lesion of an 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 (kidney, liver, heart).

Diagnostic methods

Diagnostics includes taking anamnesis and laboratory tests.

Blood sampling for cultures on PS (nutrient media), general analysis of feces, sputum analysis is performed. A certain amount of staphylococcus in biological materials is acceptable, but if the indicator exceeds 104 units per gram, we are talking about excessive multiplication of microorganisms and suspected infection.

Treatment of epidermal staphylococcus

Treatment is standard to combat any infectious agent. The patient is recommended to take anti-inflammatory drugs and antibacterial drugs. Also, specific therapy is carried out to ensure the normal functioning of the affected organs. In addition, vitamin and mineral complexes are prescribed to restore immune functions.

There is one important point regarding antibiotic therapy. Staphylococci in general, and Staphylococcus epidermidis in particular, are highly resistant to antibiotics. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to analyze the sensitivity of the pathogen to one or another antibiotic. Uncontrolled intake of antibacterial drugs will ultimately lead to the fact that staphylococcus aureus will develop resistance to most antibacterial agents and will remain "adjacent" to a person for a long time.

Thus, epidermal staphylococcus, although classified as opportunistic microorganisms, is not harmless. On the contrary, the bacterium is extremely insidious and "bids" the right moment. Epidermal Staphylococcus aureus has high adaptability and resistance to adverse environmental factors. Infections caused by it do not have their own specificity, therefore they are difficult to diagnose.

Treatment of diseases caused by this pathogen is complex and lengthy, and also requires great accuracy, since with illiterate actions of the attending physician or the patient himself, the microorganism can become practically invincible.

The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist

Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).