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Infections caused by Staphylococcus Aureus

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