Staphylococcus Aureus

Foodborne Illness Short Answer Questions staphylococcusylococcus What is the infected agent (pathogen) that shakes this infectious disease? The pathogen that causes staphylococcus is called staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is too called Staph and is abbreviated to S. aureus or Staph aureus in medical literature. S. aureus is a bacteria that causes various infections. Staph is a ordinarily found on the skin and likewise in mucus membranes (mostly the nose and throat) of up to 25% of healthy people and animals. Depending on the sign of change form S. ureus, give the bounce cause minor skin infections much(prenominal) as pimples, boils, carbuncles, and abscesses or life-threatening diseases much(prenominal) as pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis and toxic shock syndrome. (Microbiology, 2005) Some strains produce an enterotoxin that causes staphylococcus aureus gastroenteritis, alike kn own as food poisoning. The most harmful species of S. aureus is Methicillin- insusceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) this bacterium has developed antibiotic resistance. (Microbiology, 2005) Each year, approximately half a one million million million people atomic number 18 admitted to a hospital in the U. S. ue to a staphylococcal infection. How is this infectious agent transmitted through food or peeing? S. aureus is not necessarily transmitted through food or body of water but primarily through direct person-to-person contact. It is also come-at-able to transmit through indirect contact (i. e. contaminated environmental surfaces). Staph infections are common hospital-acquired infections due to the possibility of health care providers be carriers of this, usually harmless, bacteria. A carrier of S. aureus locoweed easily contaminate their own pass by contact with their nose in the course of part activities.Skin to skin contact is the most signifi flockt mode of contagion the pathogen and hand washing can significantly reduce transmission. Staph infections can spread through contact with pus from an infected wound, contact with objects such as towels, sheets, or clothing. (Wiki, 2012) S. aureus can remain living for long periods of period on linen, clothing and dust. What is an example of a real life irruption of this foodborne illness in the United States? I found this example of a real life outbreak, although it is not in the US, I found it awful that the outbreak ended with proper(ip) hygienics.In January 2008, a cluster of neonates with bullous impetigo in a hospital of northern Thailand was investigated. Medical records and working timetables of healthcare workers (HCWs) were reviewed. During an environmental study, bacteriological samples from HCWs and equipments were taken. The study resulted in 16 confirmed cases and 14 apparent cases. The attack rate was 42%. Most cases had skin blisters (28 cases) followed by pustules (five cases) and scale leaf (three cases). The location of the lesion was the trunk (17 ca ses), neck (14 cases) or armpits (nine cases).Nineteen cases had symptoms onset after protects discharge from hospital. Median age at onset was 4 days. The strain isolated from an infected newborn shared the same phage type as the contaminated equipment. Insufficient hand hygiene was an observed luck behavior of HCWs and visitors. Exposure to a nasal carrier of Staphylococcus aureus and ward sharing with a symptomatic case increased the risk of acquiring the infection. The outbreak ended abruptly after implementation of hand hygiene practices and equipment cleaning. (Eurosurveillance, 2008) What are the clinical symptoms, duration of the disease, and treatment if any? The clinical symptoms of a skin staph infection are boils and puss-filled accesses. These areas of the infection are commonly red, swollen and painful. Drainage of the infections is common practice. When S aureus enters the blood stream it can spread to organs and cause serious infections, this is known as bacteriaemi a or sepsis. Patients with underlying lung disease whitethorn develop staphylococcus pneumonia which causes an abscess brass instrument in the ungs. Infection of the union valves, also called endocarditis, can lead to heart failure. Staphylococcal food poisoning causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. (MedicineNet, n. d. ) Minor skin infections may be treated with an antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics. dear and life-threatening illness may be treated with intravenous antibiotics depending on the particular staphylococcal strain. Some strains, such as MRSA, are resistant to many antibiotics. What steps can be taken to prevent come along outbreaks?Include individual as well as environmental precautions and methods. in that location is not a vaccine available against Staphylococcus aureus since bacteria are so widespread. But there are common hygiene practices that can reduce the risk of developing staph infections. Thoroughly washing hands is the best defense aga inst germs. If you have a cut or wound, throw it clean and covered with sterile bandages until they heal completely. Avoid sharing in-person items such as towels, sheets, razors and clothing. Women that use tampons can reduce their risk by changing tampons frequently.Hospitals can reduce transmission of staphylococcal aureus and MRSA by ensuring proper hygiene is a priority with all healthcare workers. They can also disinfect surfaces that are handled by healthcare workers, patients and visitors daily. A study was through with(p) to test the growth rate of staphylococci on stainless firebrand and brass. The results of this study showed the growth of the bacteria to be lower on the brass covered hardware. This could be a change hospitals can make to serve up reduce the spread of staphylococcus. Noyce, Michels, & Keevil, 2006, p. 290) Reference Microbiology. (2005, May 25). What Is Staphylococcus Aureus? Bionewsonline. com Retrieved January 21, 2012, from http//www. bionewsonline . com/i/what_is_staphylococcus_aureus. htm Wikipedia. (2012, January 17). Staphylococcus Aureus. Wikipedia. org Retrieved January 21, 2012, form http//en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Staphylococcus_aureus Eurosurveillance. (January 2008). An outbreak of hospital-acquired Staphylococcus aureus skin infection among newborns, Nan Province, Thailand, January 2008.EuroSurveillance. org. Retrieved January 21, 2012, from http//www. eurosurveillance. org/ViewArticle. aspx? ArticleId=19372 MedicineNet. (n. d. ). Staph Infection. MedicineNet. com. Retrieved on January 21, 2012 from http//www. medicinenet. com/staph_infection/article. htmsymptoms J. O. Noyce, H. Michels, & C. W. Keevil. (2006). Potential use of copper surfaces to reduce survival of pestilent Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the healthcare environment. Electronic Version. Journal of Hospital Infection, 63, 289-297