Staph infection is the best known for its role in MRSA epidemics, but there are 33 other types of staph infection. Find out about your staph infection here.
Staph infection bacteria appear round under the microscope and cluster together, giving an appearance similar to a cluster of grapes - which when translated into greek gives us the word staphylococcus. Up to 1000 organisms can be found on the skin of an average human being. Many are not harmful and some even protect the body. There are many however that are not harmful until they find their way into cuts, grazes and wounds.
How do people catch staph aureus infections such as MRSA?
There are several ways it is believed to spread. Discover the best mrsa precautions
What is the best staph infection treatment?
There are 3 key treatment regimes that are commonly used. What MRSA treatment do you need?
How can staph infections be prevented
The media often focus on clean hospitals and clean hands as key aids to MRSA prevention. What can you do about mrsa infection control?
Read on for a a non technical guide to other staph infections
S. afermentans
S. auricularis
S. capitis
S. caprae
This has also been detected in infections of the bloodstream, urinary tract, bones and joints. It is difficult to identify using conventional testing and may be more common than is thought. It was originally found in goats.
S. cohnii
S. epidermidis
This type of staph infection is very common and relatively benign. It can however cause major problems for immune compromised patients and those with any type of implant or line running into the body. It creates infections around the device and is resistant to many of the same drugs as MRSA. Replacing the device is one form of treatment.
S. felis
S. haemolyticus
This is found on the skin of humans and animals and is rarely a source of infection unless the person has a compromised immune system. It has developed resistance to many antibiotics including vancomycin - a vital tool in the war against staph infections. There is some concern that resistance genes could be passed onto other bacteria.
S. hominis
This staph infection is treatable by a wide variety of drugs but rarely causes human infection. Those prone to it include those undergoing chemotherapy - which may interfere with their immune responses.
S. intermedius
S. lugdunensis
This type of staph infection was first identified in 1988. It has been implicated in infections such as endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and septicaemia. It is thought to be acquired in both hospital and community settings. It has been found in abcesses, meningitis, shunt infection , spondylodiscitis , prosthetic joint infection, catheter-related bacteremia, and endocarditis. It is sometimes diagnosed as staph aureus due to similar appearance and outcomes.
In excess of 20% of people carry the organism, which often resides in the groin area. Post operative complications as a result of this bacteria are more common where the operation incision has been in or around the groin area. Treatment with antibiotics prior to surgery is undertaken by some doctors to halt any infection be fore it takes hold. It is treatable with penicillin and resistance to other drugs is rare.
S. pettenkoferi
This is another bacteria found on skin which rarely sparks infection unless the immune system is already weak. It is rarely found outside Belgium and Germany.
S. saprophyticus
This staph infection agent is thought to cause 10-20% of urinary tract infections (UTI) in women. It is resistant to the antibiotic Novobiocin, a characteristic found in several staph strains. It is rare in healthy humans but is common in animals. In females aged 17-27 it is the second most common cause of UTIs. It is thought to become endemic in the urinary tract and bladder of sexually active females. Some other research suggests that it mainly arrives via catheter lines. Symptoms include a burning sensation when passing urine, frequent urination, a 'dripping effect' after urination, weak bladder, bloated feeling and sharp pains in the bladder and ovary areas.
S. schleiferi
Instances are rare in humans but are becoming more common in otherwise healthy dogs and cats. There are strains that are resistant to multiple drugs. S. schleiferi usually causes skin and ear infections. It may also be more common than we know as many diagnostic laboratories don't try to differentiate it from the very similar S. pseudintermedius. Cross infection is a possibility and care is suggested around animals with this infection including care in the vicinity of wound sites and good handwashing habits.
S. simulans
S. vitulus
S. warneri
Another rare staph infection that often enters the bloodstream via catheter lines. It can be treated with vancomycin.
S. xylosus
Common in animals, rare in humans. S. xylosus is resistant to Novobiocin but can be treated by several other antibiotics.
