Staphylococcus Aureus Essay
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Jessica Heinen
Autry Technology Center
Introduction The full name of MRSA is meticillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus (also known as staph) is a common type of bacteria. It is often carried on the skin and inside the nostrils and throat, and can cause mild infections of the skin such as boils and impetigo. If staph bacteria get into a break in the skin, they can cause life-threatening infections, such as blood poisoning or endocarditis (an infection of the inner lining of the heart).
Pathophysiology
The anatomic structure of the skin provides a barrier to infection but also opportunities for infection to occur. The squamous epithelium of the epidermis provides a water-impervious and resilient barrier against bacteria. This barrier function is the most basic and effective of the nonspecific host defenses. The surface of the skin is always colonized, but infection only occurs when a breach of the barrier occurs. Infection occurs in the skin by 2 mechanisms. The most common mechanism of infection occurs when there is a violation of the barrier from mechanical injury …show more content…
aureus, a sample is obtained from the infection site and sent to a microbiology laboratory for testing. If S. aureus is found, the organism should be further tested to determine which antibiotic would be effective for treatment. Doctors often diagnose MRSA by checking a tissue sample or nasal secretions for signs of drug-resistant bacteria. Current diagnostic procedures involve sending a sample to a lab where it is placed in a dish of nutrients that encourage bacterial growth (a culture). It takes about 48 hours for the bacteria to grow. However, newer tests that can detect staph DNA in a matter of hours are now becoming more widely available. This will help healthcare providers decide on the proper treatment regimen for a patient more quickly, after an official diagnosis has been
Jessica Heinen
Autry Technology Center
Introduction The full name of MRSA is meticillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus (also known as staph) is a common type of bacteria. It is often carried on the skin and inside the nostrils and throat, and can cause mild infections of the skin such as boils and impetigo. If staph bacteria get into a break in the skin, they can cause life-threatening infections, such as blood poisoning or endocarditis (an infection of the inner lining of the heart).
Pathophysiology
The anatomic structure of the skin provides a barrier to infection but also opportunities for infection to occur. The squamous epithelium of the epidermis provides a water-impervious and resilient barrier against bacteria. This barrier function is the most basic and effective of the nonspecific host defenses. The surface of the skin is always colonized, but infection only occurs when a breach of the barrier occurs. Infection occurs in the skin by 2 mechanisms. The most common mechanism of infection occurs when there is a violation of the barrier from mechanical injury …show more content…
aureus, a sample is obtained from the infection site and sent to a microbiology laboratory for testing. If S. aureus is found, the organism should be further tested to determine which antibiotic would be effective for treatment. Doctors often diagnose MRSA by checking a tissue sample or nasal secretions for signs of drug-resistant bacteria. Current diagnostic procedures involve sending a sample to a lab where it is placed in a dish of nutrients that encourage bacterial growth (a culture). It takes about 48 hours for the bacteria to grow. However, newer tests that can detect staph DNA in a matter of hours are now becoming more widely available. This will help healthcare providers decide on the proper treatment regimen for a patient more quickly, after an official diagnosis has been