What is an MRSA?

MRSA originally stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and refers to bacteria of the species Staphylococcus aureus, which have developed a variety of resistances to methicillin and later other antibiotics. Meanwhile, the term MRSA is generally translated as multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which is not entirely correct. However, the term is used because these strains of bacteria have a wide range of resistances to antibiotics.

MRSA is a typical multi-resistant hospital germ. The bacterium is very common here and is responsible for a large number of hospital infections, even with fatal consequences. On the one hand, the germ is found on many surfaces that are not properly cleaned, but on the other hand, the germ also colonizes many patients and hospital staff, which can also be a potential source of infection.

Infections with MRSA represent a high health risk, which is why people who belong to a risk group are screened before being admitted to hospital. Infected patients are isolated in hospital. Disinfecting whole-body baths are recommended for the sanitation of MRSA carriers who are not ill.

Sepsis caused by Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcal sepsis occurs when there is a massive increase in the number of bacteria in the blood, which causes a strong immune response. However, this reaction and the bacteria also carry the risk of fatal multi-organ failure. The entry point of the bacteria can have different localizations.

Staphylococcus aureus can attack the supplying blood vessels after the formation of an abscess and subsequent infiltration of the surrounding intact tissue. The bacterium can also settle relatively well on superficial skin wounds and subsequently infiltrate the vessels as well. Indwelling venous cannulas and central venous catheters (CVC) also pose a particular risk for the development of staphylococcal sepsis, as the bacteria can also reach the blood vessels through these.

As a special feature, Staphylococcus aureus can release a superantigen, a product of the bacteria, which causes a massive reaction of the immune system. This usually results in the typical symptoms of a sepsis with In consequence, multiorgan failure with potentially fatal consequences usually occurs. The diagnosis is based on the clinical symptoms and the detection of the bacteria in the blood by a blood culture.

Staphylococcal sepsis is more common in women who use tampons during menstruation, as these 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.This so-called Toxic Shock Syndrome is nevertheless very rare overall – only about a third of all women carry the responsible bacteria in extremely small quantities in the vaginal flora at all, and one can counteract the development of the syndrome by changing the tampon frequently and using tampons with low suction strength.

Fever,
Tachycardia,
Shock,
Decreased blood pressure,
Disturbances of consciousness,
Vomiting and
Increased respiration.