Epidermal Staphylococcus — Epidermidis in a smear, symptoms and treatment of staph

There are a huge number of pathogenic organisms that can harm human health. The most extensive group of such creatures — bacteria. They surround us always and everywhere: at home and at work, in the apartment and on the street, even on the skin and inside the human body from birth are present in bacteria and is the norm. Vary its shape: spherical, spiral, shape, sticks, etc. Bacteria with a rounded shape are called cocci. However, in the microscope, they also differ in structure. Some look like separate spherical structures, while others form chains (streptococci) and microstructure similar to that of the grape bunch. In the latter case the bacteria have a special name — the staphylococci.

Overview and characteristics of staphylococci

Staphylococci are the bacteria have a spherical form and are arranged in clusters similar to grapes, and sometimes singly and in pairs. Their sizes are small — from 0.5 to 1.3 µm. They lack flagella, and thus they are immobile. Representatives of staphylococci are widely distributed in air, soil, water. It is worth noting the important fact that normally these bacteria are present in the human body, namely for the entire digestive route, including in the stomach. Also always present on the skin, the mucous membranes of the respiratory system, as well as in the urinary and genital tracts.

Many representatives of this genus are opportunistic bacteria. This means that they are constantly present in our bodies and not harm him, but due to some changes (vitamin a deficiency, immunodeficiency etc.) harmful to one's health. In addition, there are species that normally do not present in the body, and penetrated into it will cause the development of the disease.

All staphylococci resistant to environmental influences. They are better than other bacteria to tolerate high temperatures, UV light and chemicals. For example, representatives of this genus are killed one hour after the heating to 60 C, can withstand direct exposure to sunlight for 10 — 12 hours. Rate of temperature or the optimum for the growth and development of staphylococci ranges from 30 to 37 C.

One of the most common members of the genus Staphylococcus is Staphylococcus epidermidis. About it and speech will go further.

Epidermal Staphylococcus aureus: characterization and distribution

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a representative of the natural skin microflora. Staphylococcus epidermidis is always present on the surface of the skin and doesn't cause harm, it is the norm. Diseases develop in old, malnourished and sick people whose body is weakened (for example in chronic diseases or in related Oncology). The risk group also includes pregnant women, people suffering from goiter, and patients who recently had operations, which are in office of intensive therapy and resuscitation.

Prerequisites for the spread of infection are failure to comply with hygiene standards and cleanliness, as well as inadequate sterilization of surgical instruments and a violation of the rules of asepsis and antisepsis in the operating room. The germ spreads through the air, dust and household items that have come in contact with the source of infection.

Pathogenesis, course of disease and manifestations of disease caused by Staphylococcus Epidermidis

In the body of a microbe penetrates through the damaged epidermis and mucous membranes, often during operations, injuries, with the installation of vascular and urinary catheters. The pathogen is spread throughout the body by hematogenous (through the bloodstream). As a consequence it may be sepsis, and other inflammatory processes.

The disease is characterized by sluggish flow and low expression in the early stages. Next, join these symptoms:

Deterioration of the General condition — fatigue, weakness, pallor of the skin, Increase of body temperature from 37 C to 38 C, the Development of irritation, rashes and pimples on the skin, nausea, vomiting, violations of the chair.

The disease has no clinical symptoms, the inflammation is slow in the subacute phase. Sometimes there is such a disease in which no symptoms (asymptomatic).

It should be noted that such a problem frequently encountered by surgeons who deal with internal prosthetics. If implants andartificial heart valves are infected, it is likely that epidermal Staphylococcus. Infected implants in vascular and cardiac surgery, can cause the development of false aneurysms, which poses a threat to human life.

Epidermal Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause of suppuration in the presence of a urinary catheter. It is necessary to replace the catheter. After eliminating the cause, often the body's immune system itself to cope with the disease and a course of antibiotics is not required, is the norm. The patient treated the wound with antiseptic solutions.

Also, quite often, inflammation of the urethra when the infection of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Most often this problem faced by women. Pathology runs hard. Pronounced symptoms of inflammation of the urethra, the body temperature rises to 38, appear purulent rashes on the skin. In this situation, you need treatment, including antibiotic therapy.

But the symptoms — it is not important in diagnosis. For accurate determination of the pathogen is necessary to conduct laboratory research. Otherwise, a wrong diagnosis and inappropriate treatment can lead to complications.

The presence of epidermal Staphylococcus in the analysis

Again, Staphylococcus epidermidis — opportunistic and his presence in the human body is the norm. So his presence in the readings of the tests is not a reason to panic. The normal concentration of epidermal Staphylococcus in the laboratory analyses of urine and vaginal secretions is 105 units. Pathological content of microorganisms is an indicator exceeding a specified figure or development of pustular skin lesions and nasal mucosa when the normal condition (in the absence of other causes).

Possible complications if untreated pathology:

• Joining other genitourinary infections and the progression of inflammation,
• Cervical erosion,
• Cystitis,
• Conjunctivitis,
• Inflammation of the sinuses,
• Laryngitis,
• Inflammatory processes in the kidneys

Treatment

How to treat the disease? In the treatment of this disease requires comprehensive therapy, as with other bacterial diseases. However, the treatment of staphylococci, including epidermal Staphylococcus is not an easy task, because these organisms are resistant to any effects. In the diagnosis of the disease is necessary not only to identify the pathogen and to find out what drugs it is sensitive. It is necessary to treat the cause of the disease, not the symptoms. This is the key to effective treatment.

The basic principles of complex treatment of epidermal aureus:

• You need to stop contact with the patient's source of infection,
• You need to carry out the treatment rooms, in which there is people, also to handle clothing and household items patient,
• To adhere to the rules of asepsis and antisepsis in surgery,
• Antibiotic therapy after conducting the sensitivity analysis, the most effective is the combination of Rifampicin, Gentamicin or Vancomycin.
• Treatment of the skin antiseptic preparations containing antibiotic means,
• Activation of the immune system (Immunostimulants reception)

An important step of therapy is the restoration of intestinal microflora to the state norm after antibiotic treatment. It is necessary to take certain medicines — probiotics containing lacto - and bifidobacteria.

You should also take vitamin and mineral supplements and diet to restore the overall condition.

Prevention

It is always easier to prevent disease than to treat it. The task of prevention is to prevent the development of pathology. The measures necessary to prevent development of the disease:

• To adhere to the rules of personal hygiene,
• Not to contact with infected people,
• To comply with the rules of asepsis and antisepsis in the surgical Department,
• Support the immune activity of the organism,
• Treat the affected areas of the skin and mucous membranes antiseptics.