From the Guidelines
Staphylococcus bacteria cause a wide range of infections, including skin infections like impetigo, folliculitis, boils, cellulitis, and abscesses, as well as more serious conditions such as pneumonia, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and toxic shock syndrome. These infections can be mild or life-threatening, and some strains, like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are resistant to common antibiotics, making treatment more challenging 1. According to the 2018 WSES/SIS-E consensus conference, the majority of superficial skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) are caused by Gram-positive bacteria, particularly streptococci and S. aureus 1.
Some of the specific diseases caused by Staphylococcus bacteria include:
- Impetigo, a highly contagious bacterial infection of the superficial layers of the epidermis, predominantly affecting children 1
- Erysipelas, a fiery red, tender, painful plaque with well-demarcated edges, commonly caused by streptococcal species, although S. aureus can also be a cause 1
- Cellulitis, an acute bacterial infection of the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue, which can cause local signs of inflammation, such as warmth, erythema, pain, lymphangitis, and frequently systemic upset with fever and raised white blood cell count 1
- Abscesses, which can be simple or complex, and are typically caused by bacteria that represent the normal regional skin flora of the involved area 1
The treatment of these infections typically involves antibiotics, such as cephalexin, dicloxacillin, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for mild infections, while severe infections may require intravenous antibiotics, such as vancomycin 1. For MRSA infections, specialized antibiotics like linezolid or daptomycin might be necessary 1. Good hygiene practices, including regular handwashing, covering wounds, and not sharing personal items, are essential preventive measures to reduce the spread of Staph infections 1.
It's worth noting that the classification of skin and soft-tissue infections can be complex, and different systems have been proposed, including the classification by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) in 2014, which divides infections into purulent and non-purulent, severity (mild, moderate, and severe), and tissue necrosis (necrotizing versus non-necrotizing) 1. However, the most recent and highest quality study, the 2018 WSES/SIS-E consensus conference, provides the most up-to-date recommendations for the management of skin and soft-tissue infections 1.
From the Research
Diseases Caused by Staphylococcus (Staph) Bacteria
Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen that can cause a wide range of clinical infections, including:
- Bacteremia and infective endocarditis 2
- Osteoarticular, skin and soft tissue, pleuropulmonary, and device-related infections 2
- Hospital-acquired infections, including deep surgical site infections, life-threatening bacteremia, and sepsis 3
- Mild skin infections to invasive diseases, including sepsis 3, 4
- Purulent skin and soft tissue infections 5
- Pneumonia 4
Types of Infections
The bacteria can cause various types of infections, such as:
- Community-associated skin and soft tissue infections 2
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia 6
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections 5
Complexity of Treatment
Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections is complicated by: