Pathogenic bacteria cause diseases in humans and animals. They can have a different shape, appearance, virulence, as well as resistance to drugs. The most common forms of bacteria are sticks and cocci. The first group includes intestinal, pseudomonas, tuberculosis pathogens. Cocci have a rounded shape, can consist of a different number of globular clusters. For example, the causative agent of gonorrhea includes 2 parts. Staphylococci consist of many clusters of rounded cells and resemble a bunch of grapes in their shape. They have been known to science since the 19th century as one of the most common bacteria. If staphylococcus is stained by the Gram method, then it will be visible in the smear, that is, it is positive.
Staphylococcus Properties
The danger of these bacteria lies in their ability to produce exotoxin - a substance due to which they exert their pathogenic effect on the body. Staphylococci have 2 destructive properties:
- They cause hemolysis of red blood cells - because of this ability, blood loses its normal structure.
- They contribute to tissue necrotization - due to this action of staphylococcus, body tissues undergo necrosis. The localization and size of the lesion depends on the spread of bacteria in the body, immune forces, as well as on the presence or absence of therapeutic measures.
Types of Staphylococci
Bacteria of this kind have many varieties, of which only a small part is capable of spreading in the human body. Depending on which pathogen caused the disease, symptoms and proper treatment can be judged. The most common types of staphylococci that are pathogenic for humans are: Staphylococcus epidermidis, aureus, saprophyticus, haemolyticus. Each of them causes various violations. In addition, some species are the most dangerous, others are almost harmless and do not require treatment.
Diseases caused by staphylococci
The main symptom of the appearance of staphylococcal infection in the body is purulent inflammation. In this case, a lesion can occur in any organ and tissue. The clinical manifestations of the disease, which can be very diverse, depend on the location of the inflammation. The pathogen enters the body through wound surfaces on the skin, with weakened immunity (with viral infections). Often staphylococci are layered on the primary source of the disease, thereby worsening the condition of a person. When pathogens enter the bloodstream and weakened immunity, bacteria are very difficult to treat (especially in children).
Staphylococcus epidermidis
The most harmless for humans of all types of pathogens is epidermal
staphylococcus. Staphylococcus epidermidis refers to
opportunistic microflora. This means that the bacterium is constantly in the human body, even if there is no disease. Epidermal staphylococcus lives on the skin, more precisely - in their upper layer. In addition, the pathogen can be found on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and outer ear. Like all opportunistic bacteria, staphylococcus does not cause damage in the normal functioning of the body. But with the appearance of any violations, for example, wounds on the skin, various rashes, with inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, Staphylococcus epidermidis begins to multiply rapidly and acts as a secondary infection. In addition to these conditions, the pathogenicity of the microorganism increases with a significant decrease in the body's defenses, which is observed with prolonged chronic diseases, stress, hypothermia, immunodeficiency states.
Normal and pathological amounts of microorganism
Almost all people have Staphylococcus epidermidis in culture taken from the skin or mucous membranes. Nevertheless, not everyone has its amount exceeds normal values. This is due to the presence or absence of an infectious process caused by epidermal staphylococcus. From what figure is found in bacterial culture, it depends whether or not the disease is caused precisely by Staphylococcus epidermidis. The norm of the pathogen in the crop is up to 10 to 5 degrees. If its number goes beyond this figure, then an etiological treatment should be used aimed at combating epidermal staphylococcus.
Diseases caused by epidermal staphylococcus
Under the influence of unfavorable factors and a decrease in the functioning of the immune system, conditionally pathogenic microflora begin to multiply and cause various diseases in the body. Due to the fact that epidermal staphylococcus lives on the skin and mucous membranes, many organs can suffer with its increase. When staging venous and urinary catheters, Staphylococcus epidermidis penetrates the internal organs, causing dangerous complications. These include diseases such as endocarditis - inflammation of the heart valves, including artificial ones. Infections of the genitourinary system caused by epidermal staphylococcus can be very diverse, for example, cystitis, pyelonephritis, vulvovaginitis, urethritis. With ascending penetration of the pathogen, more serious diseases develop, such as endometritis, prostatitis, interstitial nephritis, etc. In case of joint injuries, they often resort to endoprosthetics, while artificial materials can also cause infection with epidermal staphylococcus. The most dangerous spread of the pathogen in newborns, as it is often complicated by sepsis.
Staphylococcus epidermidis during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the woman’s body undergoes a global restructuring, which applies to all organs and systems, including immunity. The protective forces during the period of bearing a child are significantly reduced, so infection with any microorganism is dangerous. If a woman does not consume vitamins during pregnancy, is supercooled, subjected to stress, and has chronic foci of infection, then the conditionally pathogenic flora in her body begins to activate and cause various diseases. Being in the analyzes of a pregnant woman
(smear from the pharynx, nose, vagina) Staphylococcus epidermidis 10 * 3 already forces the gynecologist to carefully examine her to avoid possible complications.
Treatment of diseases caused by epidermal staphylococcus
Despite the fact that epidermal staphylococcus is a conditionally pathogenic microorganism and is often present in healthy people, an increase in its level indicates the presence of a disease. Symptoms depend on the location of the infection with Staphylococcus epidermidis, and treatment is specific to various organs and systems. Nevertheless, in all cases, antibiotic therapy is prescribed aimed at the destruction of the direct causative agent of the disease - epidermal staphylococcus. Often S. epidermidis is resistant to penicillin drugs, in such cases they resort to stronger drugs, a group of fluoroquinolones: rifampicin, vancomycin, etc. In addition, it is necessary to prescribe anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating agents. With frequent infection by opportunistic organisms, it is necessary to avoid hypothermia, contact with viral patients, stressful situations, damage to the skin and mucous membranes. In the presence of open wound surfaces, they must be thoroughly treated with antiseptic solutions and consult a doctor.