We have these staphylococci on the skin
The skin colonization can be roughly divided into three categories. The majority of staphylococci on human skin can be placed in the first category. This includes, for example, Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Staphylococcus aureus belongs to the second group. All types of staphylococci only cause an infection if the affected person has already been injured or has a weakened immune system
- On the one hand, the human skin is home to bacteria that are always present there. They are physiologically present there and even protect humans against other bacteria. So they strengthen the barrier function of the skin.
- Secondly, there are pathogens that are not normally found on the skin, but which also have no disease value. They do not cause people to fall ill with them.
- And thirdly, there are pathogens that do not normally occur on the skin and can cause infections and diseases in humans.
These antibiotics help against staphylococci
For the treatment of staphylococci, so-called penicillinase-resistant penicillins are used first. One representative of this group would be flucloxacillin or a combination of a beta-lactamase inhibitor, such as tazobactoam, and a penicillin. In the case of MRSA infection, however, replacement antibiotics must be used, since these staphylococcal strains have developed a protective mechanism against the above-mentioned agents.
Vancomycin or linezolid, for example, are then used. If a colonization with MRSA is detected in a patient, a “core graft” is also sought. The aim here is not only to reduce the bacterial load, but to eliminate it completely. In addition to the normal antibiotics, this includes an antibiotic nasal ointment, an antibiotic throat rinsing solution and a disinfectant hair conditioner, which must be administered/applied consistently to ensure success.
What is staphylococcal sepsis?
Staphylococcal sepsis is the most fulminant clinical picture to be assumed, which can result from an infection with staphylococci. In common parlance, this condition would probably be called blood poisoning. The blood floating in the body is enriched with bacteria, which are transported into every organ and cause an inflammation.
Sepsis is always accompanied by a severe fever and functional impairment of the affected organs. As a rule, the resulting damage is reversible, provided that prompt action can be taken. For example, the kidneys cease to function, which in turn leads to urinary retention. The accumulated urea upsets the acid-base balance of the body, which in turn leads to the patient’s breathing being adapted to the situation. Usually it is necessary to transfer the patient to an intensive care unit to bring the situation under control when a fulminant sepsis has developed.
