Staphylococcus epidermidis is a gram-positive bacterium, one of 33 known species belonging to the genus Staphylococcus. It is part of the normal (commensal) flora of the human skin. The bacterium can also be found on mucous membranes and in animals. It is also probably the most common species found in laboratory studies.
Although Staphylococcus epidermidis is generally not pathogenic, patients with weakened immune systems are at risk of developing infection. This infection may be community-acquired, but it poses a great danger to clinic patients. These are very hardy microorganisms, which are non-motile, Gram-positive cocci arranged in grape clusters. The organism produces white, cohesive colonies approximately 1-2 mm in diameter after overnight incubation.
Staphylococcus epidermidis causes infections associated with intravascular devices (prosthetic heart valves, shunts, etc.), but is also common in prosthetic joints, catheters. Catheter infections can lead to severe inflammation and pus secretion. In these cases, urination is extremelypainful. Septicemia and endocarditis are also diseases that can be associated with this type of staphylococcus aureus. Their symptoms run the gamut from fever, headache and fatigue to anorexia and shortness of breath. Sepsis is especially common as a result of infection in newborns, especially those with very low birth weights. Infective endocarditis develops as a result of damage to the heart valves or endocardium.
Because Staphylococcus epidermidis is part of the normal human microflora, it has developed resistance to many antibiotics such as Methicillin, Novobiocin, Clindamycin, and Penicillin.
As a result, Vancomycin or Rifampicin is used to treat the infection.
The risk of infection is associated with:
- reduced immunity due to cancer, chemotherapy, AIDS, serious illness (especially in the elderly), low birth weight (newborns);
- congenital heart disease or vascular disease;
- internal prostheses: artificial heart valves, artificial joint, bypasses, etc.;
- vascular or urinary catheters, peritoneal dialysis;
- skin diseases, injuries, burns;
- pathologies of the gastrointestinal mucosa, as well as taking antibiotics that kill normal intestinal bacteria.
Pay attention! Infection can also develop in the outer layersskin, as a rule, in open wounds where epidermal staphylococcus has got. On the face, such types of infection are also possible, which, as a rule, are characterized by inflammation and purulent discharge. Talk to your doctor or he althcare professional if you suspect it is staph. Pimples or infected wounds, symptoms such as vomiting combined with fever, headache or fatigue are an immediate signal to seek medical attention!
