How contagious is a staphylococcal infection?

Especially in closer contact with an infected person, transmissions are relatively frequent. However, if precautions are taken, such as keeping a certain safety distance or wearing protective clothing, further infections are very rare. Nevertheless, staphylococci pose a high risk of infection, as they are very difficult to kill, depending on their resistance. Staphylococci are largely transmitted via direct contact in the context of smear infections. More rarely, staphylococci can also cause further infections via air.

Which diseases are caused by staphylococci?

The diseases that can be caused by staphylococci are manifold. These diseases are also caused by the species or subspecies. A great variety of diseases can be caused by an infection with Staphylococcus aureus.

Typically, disease patterns occur in connection with the formation of pus. Furuncles, carbuncles and abscesses can form in the skin. Furthermore, the formation of a purulent brain abscess can occur.

In addition, endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner skin of the heart, which corresponds to a special form of pus formation, occurs frequently. In addition, pneumonia, an inflammation of the heart‘s inner skin, which corresponds to a special form of pus formation, can also occur. Frequently there is also infection of wounds by Staphylococcus aureus.

In the case of pus formation or wound infections, there is a risk that the bacterium will spread throughout the entire body via blood, which can lead to life-threatening multi-organ failure, a so-called sepsis. Less common diseases are Staphylococcal Scaled Skin Syndrome (SSSS), Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) or food poisoning with the toxin of the bacterium. Infection with the bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis with simultaneous immunosuppression, which is a normal skin germ, very often leads to the development of sepsis.

This path of infection is the most common route of hospital-acquired infections.Other Staphylococcus species such as Staphylococcus saprophyticus can also often be the cause of a urinary tract infection. In addition to a wide range of causes, tonsillitis can also be caused by an infection with staphylococci. This infection can occur after minor injury to the mouth and throat area, such as an injury to the mucous membrane caused by a sharp object.

Frequently, the affected person also suffers from inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and paranasal sinuses as well as inflammation of the upper respiratory tract such as the bronchi. The main symptoms of tonsillitis are Treatment of tonsillitis with symptomatic therapy such as lowering fever and, in severe cases, administration of an antibiotic.

Swelling and redness of the tonsils
Sore throat
Swallowing difficulties
Limb Pain
Possibly fever
Loss of appetite.

Abscess formation by staphylococci occurs only in the case of infections with Staphylococcus aureus.

This is due to the fact that this species, in comparison to other species or subspecies, has some enzymes that are a prerequisite for an abscess, the formation of an abscess. Among these enzymes are those which can actively decompose the tissue of the affected organism and thus can penetrate far into the tissue. Examples of these enzymes are a collagenase, a lipase and hyaluronidases.

These enzymes are mainly responsible for the degradation of connective tissue, creating an area where necrotic, i.e. dead, cells predominate. In connection with the initiated immune response, which is strongly granulocyte-dependent, pus is formed. A wall of fibrin is formed around this pus-filled area, which surrounds the bacteria in a protective manner, thus enabling a massive increase in the number of bacteria.

At the same time, the bacteria have an enzyme, fibrinolysin, which can open the fibrin wall. This enables the bacteria to massively penetrate into the surrounding intact tissue and the bloodstream after multiplication. This can lead to a life-threatening sepsis, which is why a doctor should usually be consulted in the case of an abscess.

Do you have an abscess? Learn what you can do about it. A pimple is an inflammatory change in the skin.

This change is caused by a blockage of a skin pore, which can be caused by various substances. Among other things, sweat or sebum can block it, creating good conditions for pathogenic bacteria such as staphylococci to colonize. A pimple is one of the skin changes of primary efflorescences, which always have a pathological value.

As a rule, there are no complications when a pimple occurs. In extreme cases, however, the pimple can spread to a boil, carbuncle or abscess with the risk of developing sepsis. Staphylococcal sepsis occurs when there is a massive increase in the number of bacteria in the blood, which causes a strong immune reaction, but also carries the risk of fatal multi-organ failure.

The entry portal of staphylococci can be located in different ways. On the one hand, after the formation of an abscess, the staphylococci can infiltrate the supplying blood vessels by infiltrating the surrounding intact tissue. On the other hand, skin wounds provide good conditions for the bacteria to infiltrate the vessels as well.

Furthermore, indwelling venous cannulas and central venous catheters (CVC) pose a particular risk for the development of staphylococcal sepsis. The genus of staphylococci has the special feature of forming a biofilm that surrounds them protectively, in which they can multiply well and allows the bacteria to migrate along the indwelling venous catheters and central venous catheters into the blood vessels. Different species can be held responsible for the development of staphylococcal sepsis.

The species Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are the main ones. These species can produce a superantigen, a product of the bacteria, which causes a massive reaction of the immune system. As a consequence, multiorgan failure with potentially fatal consequences usually occurs.

Staphylococcal sepsis is more common in women who use tampons during menstruation, as they provide good conditions for the bacteria to multiply. From here, it is not the bacteria but the superantigen that enters the bloodstream and takes effect.Not every detection of bacteria of the genus Staphylococci on the skin has disease value. Many species of staphylococci such as Staphylococcus epidermidis are part of the normal skin flora.

In addition, infection of the skin by staphylococci does not usually pose a problem for immunocompetent individuals, as the immune system is able to effectively fight the infection when it enters the body. In the case of immunodeficiency, however, these bacteria sometimes pose a health risk, as, for example, there is a risk of infection if a wound is suffered. Some people have unproblematic staphylococcal species as well as pathogenic staphylococcal species that pose a danger to the environment.

These can serve as a source of infection for other people or, should they enter the bloodstream, can cause considerable damage to the health of the person concerned. This is particularly problematic in hospitals, where specific staphylococcal species are a common cause of hospital infections resulting in death. A staphylococcal infection can also lead to an infestation of the bone.

This disease is called osteomyelitis. In osteomyelitis, the bone marrow is also affected in addition to the bone substance. The causes of osteomyelitis are varied, but bacteria often play an important role.

Especially multi-resistant hospital germs such as staphylococci can cause an infection postoperatively. Osteomyelitis can be recognized by the typical signs of inflammation such as swelling and redness. Stress pain and pus can also occur.

The therapy of osteomyelitis usually consists of a surgical procedure in which the respective focus of inflammation and pus is removed, or an intravenous administration of antibiotics. In the case of anaerobic bacteria, oxygen can also be introduced. In extreme cases an amputation of the affected body part may be necessary.

A staphylococcal infection can also affect joints such as the knee. This infestation is called pyarthros (purulent knee joint effusion). Typical signs of a staphylococcal infection in the knee are the classic signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, pain, overheating and functional impairment.

The findings can only be confirmed by a joint puncture. A confirmed infection of joints such as the knee is always an indication for an emergency orthopedic intervention, whereby the inflamed tissue is removed. In the case of advanced damage, the use of a knee prosthesis may become necessary.

Staphylococci can also cause an infection of the eye or the tissues associated with the eye. These include the lacrimal sac. The basis of dacryocystitis, an inflammation of the lacrimal sac, is the reduction of the outflow of tear fluid from the lacrimal sac.

This creates conditions that are good for the colonization of fungi or bacteria such as staphylococci. Typical signs are unilateral appearance, increased secretion of lacrimal fluid, redness, swelling and pain. The therapy is usually complicated and depends on several factors, so a doctor should be consulted.

Another eye disease caused by staphylococci is the formation of a barley grain. In this case, infection with bacteria occurs after the closure of a sebaceous or sweat gland located on the inside of the eyelid. This leads to redness, swelling, pain and the secretion of pus. The therapy consists of using heat and, if necessary, the administration of eye ointments or eye drops containing antibiotics.