In this post we shall discuss some of the common infections caused by Staphylococcus Aureus.
Toxic shock syndrome
Toxic shock syndrome is a fatal multi system disease caused by S. Aureus strains.
It usually presents as fever, myalgia, diarrhea, rash, hypotension.
It is associated with infections of sequestrated or mucosal sites by Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin (TSST)
Exfoliative Diseases
Also known as Exfoliative toxin is responsible for Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS)
Ritters disease is the severe form of SSSS in new born
Toxic epidermal necrolysis is found in older patients
Mild forms are Pemphigus Neonatorum, Bullous Impetigo.
Staphylococcal Food Poisoning
It results on consumption of food contaminated with enterotoxic producing staphylococci.
6 hrs time period is required from the ingestions of contaminated food for enough enterotoxin to be produced and symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea to occur.
Emetic effect is caused due to stimulation of CNS throught the receptors present in GIT
Toxin usually exhibits cytotoxic effects, thrombocytopenia, pyrogenic and mitogenic effects.
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Boils, styes, abscess, impetigo, carbuncles are the most common infections.
Within wounds and burns Sepsis
Deep Infections
Central nervous system: Abscess, meningitis, and intracranial thrombophlebitis
Endovascular infections: Bacteraemia, septicaemia, pyaemia, and endocarditis
Urinary infections: Staphylococci do cause urinary tract infections in association with local instrumentation, implants or diabetes.
Respiratory infections: In the respiratory tract, it causes tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, otitis, bronchopneumonia, lung abscess, empyema and rarely pneumonia.
Musculoskeletal infections: Arthritis, tropical pyomyositis, Acute osteomyelitis
That’s it for this post. These were some of the most common infections caused by Staphylococcus Aureus
