MRSA Infections: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment PDF

MRSA What is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)? Staphylococcus aureus causes a variety of pus-forming infections in humans. It can cause sion lesions such as boils, more serious infections such as pneumonia, masturis (inflammation of the breast), Inflammation of veins, meningitis (i...

MRSA What is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)? Staphylococcus aureus causes a variety of pus-forming infections in humans. It can cause sion lesions such as boils, more serious infections such as pneumonia, masturis (inflammation of the breast), Inflammation of veins, meningitis (inflammation of the brain), urinary tract infections, and deep-seated infections, such as inflammation of the bone, and endocarditis (inflammation of the heart). S. aureus is a major cause of hospital acquired infections of surgical wounds and infections associated with medical devices such as IVs and urinary catheters. 5. aureus causes disease by releasing exoenzymes (enzymes that are secreted by the bacteria in the surrounding environment) and exotoxins (toxins that are secreted by the bacteria in the surrounding environment). Staphylococcus produce a variety of such enzymes and toxins that can lyse red blood cells and white blood cells it aiso produces an enzyme that can cause blood clots Staph bacteria, like other kinds of bacteria, normally live on your skin and in your nose, usually without causing problems Staph bacteria only become a problem when they cause infection. For some people, especially those who are weak or il These infections can become serious. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are a type of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that are resistant to many antibiotics. MRSA is different from other types of staph because it cannot be treated with certain antibiotics such as methicillin. When methicillin and other common antibiotics do not kill the bacteria causing an infection, it becomes harder to get rid of the infection. MRSA bacteria are more likely to develop when antibiotics are used too often or are not used correctly Given enough time, bacteria can outcompete antibiotics so that they no longer work well, This is why MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant bacteта are sometimes called "superbugs. What causes an infection/ MRSA, like all Staph, bacteria, can be spread from one person to another through casual contact or through contaminated objects. In fact about 10-30% of all people are infected with MRSA but do not display symptoms. MRSA used to mostly infec people who had chronic illnesses, but now MRSA is becoming more common in healthy people. These infections can occur among people who have cuts or wounds and then come into close contact with one another, such as members of sports teams. What are the symptoms of MRSA? Symptoms of a MRSA infection depend on where the infection is. If MRSA is causing an infection in a skin wound, that area of your skin may be red or tender. If you have pneumonia, you may develop a cough. Community-associated MRSA commonly causes skin infections, such as boils, abscesses, or cellulitis. Often, people think they have been bitten by a spider or insect. Because MRSA infections can become serious How is an infection diagnosed? If your doctor thinks that you are infected with MRSA, he or she will send a sample of your infected wound, blood, or urne to a lab The lab will grow the bacteria and then test to see which kinds of antibiotics kill the bacteria. The test may take several days. You may also be tested If your doctor suspects that you are a MRSA carrier. A who is not displaying symptoms This is done by taking a swab from the inside of the nose Treating MRSA Most cases of MRSA begin as mild skin infections such as pimples or boils. Your doctor may be able to treat these infections without antibiotics by using a minoг surgical procedure that opens and drains the sores. Depending on how serious your infection is, the doctor may drain your wound, prescribe antibiotics, give you an IV (intravenous) antibiotic, or hospitalize you. You might also be given an ointment to put on your skin or inside your nose and be asked to wash your skin daily with an antibiotic soap to reduce the number of MRSA bacteria on your skin. How can I prevent getting or spreading MRSA? Keep your hands clean by washing them frequent and thoroughly with soap and warm water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you're in the hospital, remind doctors and nurses to wash their hands before they touch you. if you are a carrier, avoid spreading the infection by telling your family, and other people with whom you dote contact to wash their hands often with soap and warm water or use an Keep cuts and scrapes dean and covered with a bandage and avoid contact with der people's wounds or bandages. not share personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors or clothing. Wash your sheets, towels, and clothes with warm water and detergent and dry them in as Keep your environment clean by wiping all frequently touched surfaces (such an countertops, doorknobs, and light switches) with disinfectant. Be smart about using antibiotics. Know that antibiotics can help treat bacterial infections but they can't cure viral infections. Always ask your doctor if antibiotics What is E. coli? Escherichia coli (E. colí) is a bacterium that commonly lives in the intestines af people and animals (Fig. 2). There are many strains (types) of E. coli. Most of th coli are normal inhabitants of the small intestine and colon and are non-p meaning they do not cause disease in the intestines. Nevertheless, these no pathogenic E coli can cause disease if they spread outside of the intestines,lo example, into the urinary tract (where they cause bladder or kidney infections into the bloodstream (sepsis). Some strains of E. coli are pathogenic, meating they can cause disease in the small intestine and colon. These pathogenic strains of & may cause diarrhea by producing and releasing toxins that cause the intestine t secrete fluid or by invading and inflaming the lining of the small intestine and the colon or cause inflammation of the colon and bloody diarrhea. What is E. coli 0157 172 E. coli 0157:H7 produces a toxin called Shiga toxin that damages the Intestines causing colitis and bloo patients a year in the United States, It has been reported to cause both large outbreaks as well as isolated sporadic infections in small numbers of individuals. How does E. coli 0157:H7 make us sick? The Shiga toxin damages intestinal cells. The most worrisome complication of is hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) because it is a serious and potentially fatal illness. "Hemolytic" refers to the breakup of red blood cells, which leads to anemia. Platelets are also destroyed which, in turn, promotes abnormal bleeding. "Uremic refers to failure of the kidneys. In addition, seizures and coma may occur Hemolytic-uremic syndrome most commonly affects children under the ages years and is the most common cause of acute renal failure in infants and young children. It occurs in 6-9% of hemorrhagic colitis. How do people get E. coli 0157:H7? Infection is transmitted primarily by food and less commonly by direct contact or water (ie., contaminated swimming water). Most commonly, E. coli 0157:H7 infection comes from eating raw or undercooked hamburger or from drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk. Products that have been found to be injected include ground beet, salami, raw milk, alfalfa sprouts and unpasteurized apple cider and apple juice Cattle are an important reservoir, although contaminated pork, poultry and lamь have also been encountered. What are E. coll symptoms, and how is it diagnosed? The incubation period between exposure to the bacteria and onset of symptoms is usually 3-4 days. Symptoms of such an infection include severe abdominal pain and tenderness, often associated with bloody diarrhea Curiously, there often is little or no fever. The diarrhea typically lasts for 6-8 days. For patients suspected of having E. coli 0157:H7 infection (for example, if they have bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal pain and tenderness but no fever), a stool the specimen is tested for the presence of E coli 0157:H7.) There are two commonly methods of testing for E. coll 0157:H7 in stool samples: 1 growing the bacteria in culture dishes, or 2/testing for the Shiga toxin produced by the bacteria. Toxin detection methods are becoming more common, but it is Important to confirm that presence of E. coli 0157:H7 and cultures of stools containing toxin Blood tests such as complete blood count (CBC). and blood levels of electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (blood tests that measure kidney function) are performed periodically to look for the development of hemolytic uremic symptoms. What is the Treatment: E coli 0157-H7 should be treated by a physician. Antibiotics are not diarrheal illness In fact, soe studies have shown that antibiotic affect the duration of bloody diarrhea and may even increase the a developing hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Treatment includes replacing and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. Hemolytic-uremic syndrome and Small blood clots found throughout the body require complex supportive care in the hospital. Patents with kidney failure may need dialysis. Even after the acute phase the value of antimicrobial agents in treating Shiga toxin-producing E coli infections is not clear. Using anti-diarrhea medicines should also be avoided because they appear to prolong bloody diarrhea and increase the incidence of hemolytic uremic Clostridium botulinum What is Clostridium botulinumт? Clostridium botulinum (Fig. 3) are a group of bacteria commonly found in soil. They are rod-shaped organisms that grow best in low oxygen conditions. The bacteria form spores which allow them to survive in a dormant state until exposed to conditions that can support their growth. What causes an infection? The bacterium Clostridium botulinum produces a nerve toxin that causes a rare but serious paralytic illness called botulism. The botulinum toxin causes these effects because it is a neurotoxin that prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine thereby interfering with neurotransmission at the muscles. Although rarely seen in the United States, botulism is one of the most feared diseases because of the has frequently been identified as a potential weapon of bioterrorism because of its incredible potency of the botulinum toxin. The toxin potency and means of ingestion by contaminated food or water. Methods to detect the bacterium and the toxin in the food supply are becoming a high priority to prevent both the natural form of the disease and the use of the toxin as a biological Weapon. There are three main kinds of botulinum There are three main kinds of botulism. Foodborne botulism is caused by eating foods that contain the botulism toxin. Wound botulism is caused by toxin produce om a wound infected with Clostridium botulinum. Infant botulism is caused by consuming the spores of the botulinum bacteria, which then grow in the intestines and release toxin botulinum spores are normally found in soil or marine sediment and contaminate meats, vegetables, and fish. Because the spores are relatively heat resistant, they survive food processing and canning when the temperatures are insufficiently high. Under anaerobic conditions (without oxygen), such as found in canned foods, the spores germinate and release the potent toxins. In many cases the food has a normal appearance and taste. All forms of botulism can be fatal and are considered medical emergencies. Foodborne botulism can be especially dangerous because many People can be poisoned by eating contaminated food. How common is botulism? In the United States, an average of 145 cases are reported each year. Of these, approximately 15% are foodborne, 65% are infant botulism, and 20% are wound Outbreaks of foodborne botulism involving two or more persons occur most years and usually caused by eating contaminated home-canned foods. The number of cases of foodborne and infant botulism has changed little in recent years, but wound botulism has increased because of the use of black-tar heroin, especially in California What are the symptoms of Clostridium botulinum infection? The symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids weak cry and slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, and have a poor muscle tone These are all symptoms oi the muscle paralysis caused by the bacterial toxin. If untreated, these symptoms may progress to cause paralysis of the arms, legs, trunk and respiratory muscles. In food-borne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food but they can occur as early as 6 hours or as late as 10 days. How can botulism be treated? The respiratory failure and paralysis that occur with severe botulism may require patient to be on a breathing machine for weeks, plus intensive medical and nursing care. After several weeks, the paralysis slowly improves. If diagnosed early, foodborne and wound botulism can be treated with an antitoxin which blocks the action of toxin circulating in the blood. This can prevent patients from worsening But recovery still takes many weeks. Physicians may try to remove contaminated food still in the gut by inducing vomiting Wounds are treated, usually surgically, to remove the source of the toxin-producing bacteria followed by administration of appropriate antibiotics. Good supportive care in a hospital is the mainstay of therapy for all forms of botulism. A human-derived antitoxin is used to treat cases of Infant botulism and is available from the California Department of Public Health. Are there complications from botulism? Botulism can result in death due to respiratory failure. However, in the past 50 years the proportion of patients with botulism who die has fallen from about 50% to 3-5%. A patient with severe botulism may require a breathing machine as well as intensive medical and nursing care for several months. Patients who survive an episode of botulism poisoning may have fatigue and shortness of breath for years and long-term therapy may be needed to aid recovery. Video Photo Scan