Have you ever had to take an analysis for staphylococcus? How to take such samples, what biomaterial is used for this, we will describe in this article. From it you will learn about how to prepare for this study, in which cases this analysis is prescribed, where it can be submitted and so on.
General bacteria information
Before telling you how to take an analysis for staphylococcus for a medical book, you should tell what this bacterium is.
Staphylococcus is a gram-positive bacterium that has a spherical or oval shape.
Currently, about 30 species of the mentioned microorganism are known. At the same time, 10 of them are permanent residents of human skin and do not represent any danger.
Which bacteria can harm
Why are some patients prescribed staphylococcus analysis (how to take the biomaterial, we will discuss later)? The fact is that along with the harmless, there are dangerous species of this bacterium. These include epidermal, saprophytic and Staphylococcus aureus.
According to experts, such microorganisms not only block the protective functions of the body, but also secrete the strongest toxins.
To identify dangerous species of this bacterium, they are tested for staphylococcus aureus. How to take it, few know. Therefore, we decided to cover this topic in the presented article.
Such material analysis is microbiological. In the course of laboratory studies, the type of dangerous bacteria is detected, and its sensitivity to various antibiotics is also determined.
What biomaterial is used
Now you know what the analysis for staphylococcus is prescribed for. How to take biomaterial for further research? Before answering this question, you should find out where it comes from.
Most often, a smear from the throat or nose is used for laboratory research. However, there are cases when it is necessary to take sputum, blood, breast milk, a smear from the conjunctiva, a single portion of urine, feces, a substance that is excreted from the ear or wound, rectal and urogenital swabs (along with the secretion of the prostate gland) for analysis.
Which of the above materials should be used only by the attending physician.
Where to pass an analysis on staphylococcus
Most patients do not have a clue about where to take such an analysis. In this case, we recommend that you consult with the doctor who prescribed it.
Most often, the fence, as well as the study of biomaterial, is carried out in hospitals or clinics. In addition, analysis can be carried out in narrowly targeted laboratory centers and private clinics.
Preparing for sampling
How to prepare for such a study as an analysis for staphylococcus? How to pass it correctly so that the results are not false? It depends on what biomaterial is used for this. However, in any case, before taking it, it is strictly forbidden to take antibacterial drugs, as this can directly affect the results of the study.
A blood test for staph should be performed only on an empty stomach, in the morning. In this case, several days before the collection of material, in no case should you drink antiviral agents and use antibiotics (even local exposure).
Before giving sputum, the patient should drink a large amount of fluid (8-12 hours before visiting the clinic).
2 days before the delivery of urine, diuretics should be excluded. And 3 days before collecting feces, laxative drugs and herbs, as well as tablets that directly affect its color and intestinal motility, should be abandoned . In addition, it is strictly forbidden to introduce any rectal suppositories and ointments.
Before passing the urogenital smear, representatives of the stronger sex can not urinate for three hours. As for women, the sampling of the same biomaterial should be carried out several days before menstruation or 2 days after its end.
Pharynx and nose
Now you know what you need to do before you submit your biomaterial for analysis to staphylococcus aureus. How to take a sample (blood, smear) should not worry you. After all, this responsibility lies entirely on the shoulders of specialists. It should only be noted that such a fence is carried out very quickly and painlessly.
Most often, a smear from the throat and nose is used to identify dangerous types of staphylococcus. This is due to the fact that if a bacterium is found in such biomaterials, then it will certainly be found in others.
Before passing this analysis, the patient is recommended to prepare. To do this, he needs to stop taking food and water 8 hours before the study.
Biomaterial is taken only in the early morning. Before visiting the clinic, the patient is forbidden to brush his teeth, rinse his mouth, throat and blow his nose. If you do not comply with these requirements, then the results of the study may be inaccurate.
Who writes out the direction for analysis
Now you know what the analysis for pathogenic staphylococcus is done for . How to take biomaterial for research, we also talked about. Now I want to tell you about who can prescribe such an analysis.
Staphylococcus aureus is called a conditionally pathogenic bacterium, which manifests itself with weakened immunity or impaired microflora. In the absence of proper treatment, it quickly leads to infectious and inflammatory lesions of a local and systemic nature.
We found out how tests for staphylococcus (enterococcus, streptococcus) are taken. But who sends patients to such a study? It depends on what kind of lesions they have.
The most common are the following damage:
- Integuments (impetigo, carbuncles, folliculitis). In this case, the dermatologist sends for analysis.
- Mammary glands (mastitis) - mammologist.
- ENT organs (tonsillitis, otitis media, sinusitis, laryngotracheitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia) - otolaryngologist.
- Urinary tract (urethritis, pyelonephritis, cystitis) - a urologist.
- Digestive system (enterocolitis, peritonitis, appendicitis, cholecystitis, paraproctitis) - gastroenterologist.
- Bone-articular system (arthritis, osteomyelitis) - surgeon, orthopedist.
How to analyze for staphylococcus aureus
How is biomaterial taken to determine staphylococcus? In case of pharynx and nose, a tool resembling a long cotton swab is used. It is carefully carried out on the mucous membranes, and then placed in a sterile and tightly closed jar.
To determine the harmful bacteria in the laboratory, biomaterial is sown. Do this on culture media. After about 20-24 hours, specialists observe a noticeable growth of colonies. This is a confirmation fact that the bacterium is present in the resulting material.
In addition to the fact that the analysis for staphylococcus helps to determine its presence in the human body, such a study allows us to identify its sensitivity to certain antibiotics.
When appointed
It is recommended to hand over biomaterial for analysis to staphylococcus in case of suspected infection that may be caused by this microorganism. In addition, such a study is used in the diagnosis of nosocomial diseases.
If a person is not sick and has no complaints, then such an analysis can be prescribed during a regular and planned professional examination of medical personnel and catering workers, as well as in the presence of pregnancy.
Often, such a study is carried out to treat diseases that are caused by staphylococcus. This method allows you to diagnose an existing deviation and evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment. It is also used to detect bacterial carriage and the proper selection of drugs.
Analysis results
Today, there are no problems with where and how to get tested for staphylococcus aureus. To carry out the sampling of the material and conduct laboratory testing can be both employees of a regular hospital and specialists of private clinics.
As a rule, the result of such an analysis is never in doubt. There can be only 2 options: the growth of bacteria and its absence.
A positive test result indicates the presence of acute infection, which is caused by staphylococcus, as well as its asymptomatic carriage. As for the negative, it indicates the absence of bacteria in the body.
Carriage of staphylococcus, which does not cause any discomfort to the patient, is not subject to therapy.
Who is at risk
Currently, there is a special group of people who are most susceptible to the development of infectious and inflammatory diseases caused by staphylococcus. It includes health workers, immunocompromised patients, serious injuries, surgical wounds, burns, as well as farmers, the elderly, children, drug addicts, soldiers, nursing mothers, prisoners, cancer patients, AIDS-infected patients, patients with diabetes and those who are on hemodialysis.