What are some common infections that are caused by Staphylococcus aureus? You may be wondering if Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for impetigo, conjunctivitis, or pyomyositis. Fortunately, the organism is generally confined by the body’s own immune system at the point of entry. However, it can infect people in poor hygiene, overcrowding, or even fit, young people.
Impetigo
Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for eighty per cent of all impetigo cases. This bacteria causes impetigo by triggering the release of toxins. These toxins may infect others as the blister fluid is contagious. The skin and soft tissue infection may also spread to other parts of the body. Because of this, it is crucial to receive immediate treatment.
While Staphylococcus aureus is the primary pathogen of tropical impetigo, S. pyogenes is also responsible for an important proportion of the disease. In children, S. pyogenes is more common, especially in children with scabies. Treatment efficacy depends on the clearance rate of S. pyogenes, but there are several options available for children with co-infection.
Proper personal hygiene is essential to prevent impetigo. Wash your body frequently, cover your mouth with a tissue and sneeze into your elbow or upper sleeve. Ideally, impetigo should heal after three days. However, if your skin doesn’t heal, a fever may develop. In addition, the infected area may be red, warm, or tender. This infection is treatable, however, if you follow these tips.
Various antibiotics are available to treat impetigo. The most common antibiotics for this infection include oral flucloxacillin, erythromycin, and fusidic acid. Other treatments include mupirocin and cephalexin. While these two drugs are effective, their efficacy is less than that of antibiotics. Moreover, they may cause unnecessary contact dermatitis.
Conjunctivitis
Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as “staph”, is a common bacterium found in the mouth and throat. While most infections of this bacterium are harmless, if they are left untreated, they can lead to serious complications such as bacteremia, blood poisoning, or toxic shock syndrome. However, if a person comes into contact with this bacteria, they can also contract pneumonia or bacteremia, which is a life-threatening infection.
In some cases, conjunctivitis may be caused by ocular allergy without infection. Those with an atopic dermatitis tend to have a higher number of S. aureus-infected conjunctiva and higher levels of the immune system’s IgE antibody. Ultimately, this can lead to a potentially dangerous bacterial infection that may result in blindness.
While MRSA infections have been reported in neonates, it is still important to note that you cannot always be certain that a neonate is infected. Although most cases of MRSA infection occur in children and infants, some neonates may have colonized eyes without any apparent symptoms. In such a case, a conjunctival swab is taken before antibiotics are given to treat the infection.
Although most people think of this bacterium as a cause of conjunctivitis, many other fungi and viruses can also be the culprit. Adenovirus, picornavirus, and enterovirus 70 are the main culprits of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. Unlike herpes simplex, the condition tends to have a long course and the symptoms wax and wane during allergy season.
Pyomyositis
Although pyomyositis is a rare complication of bacterial infections, it can be deadly if not treated promptly. Although Staphylococcus aureus is the principal causative organism, other infectious agents have also been implicated in the development of the condition. Most commonly, tropical pyomyositis is associated with a tropical climate.
The pathogenesis of pyomyositis remains unclear. Experimental studies have revealed that Staphylococcus aureus can cause the disease to develop. Interestingly, healthy rabbits given Staphylococcus aureus intravenously occasionally developed a small abscess in the kidney and liver, but not in the skeletal muscles. Small abscesses may form when the infection reaches a particular muscle or is injected directly. In one study by the British Army, Staphylococcus causes small abscesses when the muscle is injured, while no abscess forms in healthy muscles.
The symptoms of pyomyositis ranged from 1.5 to 30 days prior to consultation. They included fever, local pain, functional impotence, and general involvement. The patients had a fever, shivering, and perspiration. Nineteen of the twenty patients presented with a palpable mass. All the patients were bacteriologically positive for S. aureus, but molecular studies have been contradictory.
