Pathogenic staphylococci: causes, symptoms, treatment. Influence of immunity on the development of infection

Bacteria belonging to the family of staphylococci are fixed Gram-positive cocci. In shape, they resemble regular balls with a diameter of 0.6 to 1.2 microns. They are arranged in clusters, which in shape resemble a bunch of grapes.

Types of bacteria

Specialists distinguish several types of staphylococci. The most dangerous is Staphylococcus aureus. These pathogenic staphylococci can excrete a special golden pigment. They can cause purulent inflammation in various organs and tissues of the body. These bacteria produce an enzyme called coagulase. Because of this, they are called Cagulase-positive staphylococci. Separately, its specific subtypes are identified, which are called methicillin-resistant. It includes all strains of Staphylococcus aureus, which are resistant to a wide range of antibacterial agents. They are difficult enough to treat.

On the mucous membranes often occurs epidermal appearance. It can provoke the development of endocarditis, sepsis, conjunctivitis, purulent damage to wounds and urinary tract.

Acute urethritis and cystitis are caused by saprophytic staphylococci. Hemolytic species of these bacteria causes the development of skin lesions, sepsis, endocarditis, cystitis, urethritis and inflammatory diseases of various organs.

On the skin and mucous membranes can also be opportunistic staphylococcus.

The threatening danger

A total of about 20 types of staphylococci are isolated. But most of them are part of a normal microflora, they can be on skin and mucous membranes and not cause any diseases.

Staphylococcus aureus is dangerous. The pathogenic microorganism is located on the nasopharyngeal mucosa, and it is also found in the vagina in women. Sometimes it is found in the digestive tract. You can also find it on the skin - in the armpits or groin.

It is necessary to understand that the bacteria themselves are not dangerous, but the staphylococcal infections that they cause. If a person has normal immunity, then most of the microorganisms of this group will not affect him in any way. And those who have it weakened, any pathogenic staphylococcus can lead to the development of infections. They are manifested as diseases with inflammatory-purulent foci, which are accompanied by intoxication.

Ways and causes of infections

Talking about the possibility of infection with staphylococci, it is worthwhile to understand that they are everywhere. There are various ways of infection:

- airborne droplets;

- alimentary (from infected feces or vomit);

- contact-household;

- official (from insufficiently clean medical instruments);

- airborne dust.

You can get infected from household items, other people or when you use infected products. Also, bacteria can get through damaged skin or mucous membranes.

Some people are carriers of pathogenic staphylococci. They live on skin and mucous membranes, but they do not cause any changes. Danger is represented by people who are constant carriers of these bacteria. Although a person with normal immunity should not be afraid. Staphylococcal infections develop with the combination of a number of favorable circumstances, including a weakened defense of the body.

Possible diseases

Specialists can describe more than 100 different clinical manifestations of infection. After all, pathogenic staphylococci can affect any organs and tissues of the body. They cause purulent-inflammatory processes and can cause the appearance of sore throat, pharyngitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pyoderma, osteomyelitis, arthritis, food poisoning, furunculosis, sepsis.

For example, almost 80% of septic arthritis that develop in adolescents and adults is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Also, these microorganisms can cause the development of mastitis in women who have given birth and sepsis of newborns.

It can reveal a pathogenic staphylococcus analysis - bacopsis with sensitivity to antibiotics. They allow you to find out which bacteria caused the infection. Also, the analysis shows which bacterial preparations are susceptible.

Disorders of nose

Quite often people have rhinitis or sinusitis. The cause of their development can be pathogenic staphilococcus in the nose. It is often found on the mucosa of this organ. With the weakening of local immunity, bacteria become the cause of acute rhinitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, sinusitis. Staphylococcus can provoke the appearance of an acute or chronic form of these diseases.

Often rhinitis begins with the appearance of transparent mucous discharge from the nose. If it is complicated by a bacterial infection, then purulent discharge appears . They can be distinguished by a yellow-green color. Also, the disease is characterized by nasal congestion and a change in voice (nasal appears).

If the cause of the disease is a pathogenic staphilococcus in the nose, then it can be accompanied by painful sensations. At front, they are not necessarily localized in the frontal sinuses, but can manifest as a common headache. With unilateral inflammation, pain is observed on one side.

Problems with pharynx, lungs, bronchi

The cause of chronic pharyngitis often becomes Staphylococcus aureus. A conditionally pathogenic microorganism can cause disease only in people with weakened immunity. If the golden Staphylococcus augmented, then the patient will have a pronounced symptomatology. On the back wall, the viscous mucus will be visualized when viewed, all parts of the pharynx will be reddened. There is a perspiration in the throat - it signals that the mucosa is affected by bacteria. Often the pharyngitis is accompanied by the hoarseness of the voice.

If pathogenic staphylococci attack the larynx, then this can cause laryngitis. The disease is accompanied by pain during swallowing, loss of vocal cords, dry cough.

Also, these bacteria can cause bronchitis or pneumonia. In most cases, the disease causes a virus. But against the background of violations of staphylococci easily penetrate the bronchial mucosa or lung tissue. About bacterial pneumonia may indicate the isolation of mucopurulent sputum when coughing, pain in the chest.

Other diseases

Staphylococcus aureus can cause other problems. Thus, when eating foods infected with this bacterium, after 30 minutes, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and watery diarrhea may appear. In this case, a staphylococcus is found in the feces.

A purulent skin lesion, caused by the action of this microorganism, is called pyoderma. This is one of the most common skin lesions.

Not protected from the effects of staphylococcus and newborns. In medicine there is such a thing as "scalded babies syndrome". Some strains of pathogenic staphylococci secrete toxins, and because of their influence on the skin of babies there are large foci of redness. In their place, then, bubbles appear that look like blisters after burns.

Necessary therapy

Having found out a staphylococcal infection, it is important to approach competently to its treatment. It should be based on antibiotic therapy. In a number of severe cases, even the use of a special anti-staphylococcal immunoglobulin has been shown.

In this case, do not think that the disease will pass by itself. If a pathogenic staphilococcus in the nose was found, the treatment is selected according to the antibioticogram made. If you start therapy without knowing which drugs are sensitive to bacteria, you can only achieve that microorganisms will become more stable, and a person will only weaken the immunity.

Thus, therapy can be performed with the help of antibiotics such as Clindamycin, Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Cefotaxime, Amoxicillin, Cloxacillin, Cefazolin, and Vancomycin.