ID:IOTS - Infectious Disease Insight Of Two Specialists 1: It starts with Staph
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Jul 28, 2021 The hosts dive into the fascinating world of Staphylococcus aureus, a key bacterial player in infections. They dissect its classification and clinical importance, while also critiquing a mnemonic to remember related infections. Risk factors like skin breakdown and immune compromise are highlighted, alongside a discussion on exfoliative toxins and their impact on skin health. The nuances between MSSA and MRSA are explored, shedding light on antibiotic resistance and treatment strategies. A captivating mix of science and humor awaits!
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Basic Lab Identification
- Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that appears in clusters and retains Gram stain due to thick peptidoglycan.
- Catalase and coagulase tests help differentiate staph from strep and S. aureus from coagulase-negative staphylococci.
Common Colonisation Sites
- S. aureus commonly colonizes skin, the nose, and the upper GI tract and often lives harmlessly as a commensal.
- Persistent carriage occurs in a notable minority and can predispose to later invasive infection.
Spectrum Of Disease
- S. aureus causes diverse disease: skin/soft tissue, bone/joint, GI toxin syndromes, chest infections, and toxin-mediated conditions.
- They recommended thinking of four buckets: soft tissues/bone, GI, chest (lung/heart), and toxin-mediated problems.