By: Lauren Oswald APBio

 Genus: Staphylococcus  Species: aureus  Domain: Bacteria  Kingdom: Eubacteria  Phylum: Firmicutes  Class: Bacilli  Order: Bacillales  Family: Staphylococcaceae

Shape: coccus Arrangement: staphylo  Coccus: Staphylo: spherical grape-like clusters

 Forms in clusters because it reproduces asexually. ◦ It reproduces its DNA in which the membrane stretches out and separates the DNA molecule. The cells form a hallow space that will divide into new cells. The new cell wall does not fully separate from the existing cell wall, forming clusters.

 Habitat  Soil  skin  mucous  S. epidermis may represent up to 90% of the normal microbiota of the skin  Mode of Nutrition ◦ It converts high energy molecules like glucose into energy through cellular respiration.  Effect of Oxygen ◦ Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative anaerobe. It will normally perform aerobic cellular respiration, but if oxygen is unavailable it can perform anaerobic respiration for energy production.  Catalase ◦ Produces an enzyme called catalase. Catalase helps Staphylococcus aureus break down hydrogen peroxide in oxygen a water. Hydrogen peroxide can be a toxin for some organisms.

Gram-positive, cluster-forming coccus nonmotile Nonspore forming facultative anaerobe Fermentation of glucose produces mainly lactic acid ferments mannitol (distinguishes from S. epidermidis) catalase positive coagulase positive golden yellow colony on agar Characteristics Gram stain of Staphylococcus aureus in pustular exudate.

 The bacteria is becoming more resistant to treatment. ◦ In past decades antibiotic resistance was not a major problem, however now it will continue to get worst for future generations health and economy. ◦ Resistance will promote research for future applications to treat infections without causing further antibiotic resistance as well and decrease the medications or dosage one takes.

Two types  Healthcare-associated MRSA (HA- MRSA) infections occur in people who are or have recently been in a hospital. MRSA bacteria are responsible for a large percentage of hospital-acquired staph infections. Surgery patients or people who have been hospitalized in the past year are at a higher risk.  Community-associated MRSA (CA- MRSA) infections occur in healthy people. The infections have occurred in such people as athletes who share equipment or personal items and children in daycare facilities. The most popular being MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) a bacterial infection that is highly resistant to some antibiotics.

 Causes  The Bacteria enters the body through a cut, sore, catheter, or breathing tube.  Tests  Blood, drainage fluid, skin, sputum, or urine cultures.  Symptoms  Red, swollen, and painful area on the skin.  Drainage of puss or fluid from the site.  Skin abscess  Warmth around the infected area. ◦ More serious staph infections  Chest pain  Chills  Cough  Fatigue  Fever  Headache and muscle aches  Malaise  Rash  Shortness of breath Images of MRSA

 Treatment ◦ Simple infections  Draining the skin sore local skin MRSA infection. ◦ More serious infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat.  Kidney dialysis  Oxygen  Antibiotics that may still work include:  Clindamycin  Daptomycin  Doxycycline  Linezolid  Minocycline  Tetracycline  Trimethoprim  Vancomycin  Prevention ◦ Wash your hands frequently, especially if visiting someone in a hospital or long-term care facility. ◦ Do not share personal items such as towels or razors with another person. ◦ Cover all wounds with a clean bandage, and avoid contact with other people’s soiled bandages. ◦ Clean shared sporting equipment with antiseptic solution before using it. ◦ Avoid common whirlpools or saunas if another participant has an open sore.

S. AUREUS IS AN URGENT PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE  S. aureus infections have increased in the past 20 years due to the increased use of invasive devices in both hospital and home care settings and the rise in the number of elderly and immune compromised patients.  The increase in anti-biotic-resistant strains of the bacteria have increased, which limits therapies to treat and prevent infections. ◦ S. aureus is one of the most nosocomial infections. ◦ Complications related to S. aureus infections have high rates of mortality. ◦ High healthcare costs.  “The total cost of antimicrobial resistance to the U.S. health care system was nearly $5 billion in 1998, according to IOM. Experts believe the true costs in 2009 numbers may be ten times that amount today. Treating resistant pathogens often requires more expensive drugs and extended hospital stays.”-idsociety ◦ S. aureus is the most common cause of community- acquired bacterium.

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