Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Staphylococcus aureus
Kiana Cabbat
Giselle Franklin
Jesse Mendoza
Dyrell Sakamoto
What is MRSA?
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria
that is resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams.
These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such
as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin.
In the community, most MRSA infections are skin infections. More severe or
potentially life-threatening MRSA infections occur most frequently among
patients in healthcare settings.
The Latin translation of Staphylococcus aureus is golden cluster seed, this baterium
was aptly named because of its yellow color and the fact that this organism grows in
multiple clusters
Order: Bacillales
The Scottish surgeon Alexander Ogston (1844-1929) is credited with discovering the major cause
of pus present in Staphylococcus aureus infections in the year 1880. Dr Ogston was significantly
troubled by the high rate of post-operative mortality and sought to reverse this tragic trend as well
as identifying the cause. Dr. Ogston studied the absence of inflammation, a sign of infection, in
Dr. Joseph Lister's (1827-1912) post-operative surgical sights and adopted his antiiseptis practices
(practices preventing the growth of disease-causing microrganisms). He did this in direct
contradiction to the contemporary teachings of his day, in which suppuration (outpouring of pus
from a wound) was regarded as a required stage of healing.
After examination under the microscrope My delight may be conceived when there were
revealed to me beautiful tangles, tufts and chains of round organisms in great numbers, which
stood out clear and distinct among the pus cells and debris...
Adaptations of Staphylococcus aureus
Within one year of using this new drug, the first case of MRSA was reported.
Methicillin became resistant due to a "penicillin-binding protein that is coded
by the methicillin resistant gene also known as mecA, (mecA is responsible for
resistance to other -lactam antibiotics). Additionally, MRSA is able to evade
attacks by antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and other parts of the hosts innate
defense (Li, 2007)".
Blood Sample
Urine Sample
The nasal passages are usually the site with the highest rate of
colonization. It is important to note that characteristics and
rates of permanent MRSA/S. aureus can vary considerably
based upon the individual sites such as the throat, armpits,
groin and perineum. In fact colonization in one part of the
body does not guarantee colonization in another.
THE LIST:
quinupristin/dalfopristin
(Synercid, King Pharms)
linezolid
(Zyvox, Pharmacia and Upjohn);
daptomycin
(Cubicin, Cubist);
tigecycline
(Tygacil, Wyeth Pharms);
telavancin
(Vibativ, Theravance)
AND the newest
ceftaroline
(Teflaro, Cerexa)
VANCOMYCIN DOSING
Vancomycin dosing is based on the patients actual body weight and requires
adjustment in renal dysfunction.
* round dose to 250mg, 500mg, 750mg, 1g, 1.25g, 1.5g, 1.75g or 2g (maximum:
2gm/dose).
Mechanism of vancomycin action and resistance. Note that this diagram shows only one of two ways vancomycin
acts against bacteria (inhibition of cell wall cross-linking) and only one of many ways that bacteria can become
resistant to it.
1. Vancomycin is added to the bacterial environment while it is trying to synthesize new cell wall. Here, the cell
wall strands have been synthesized, but not yet cross-linked.
2. Vancomycin recognizes and binds to the two D-ala residues on the end of the peptide chains. However, in
resistant bacteria, the last D-ala residue has been replaced by a D-lactate, so vancomycin cannot bind.
3. In resistant bacteria, cross-links are successfully formed. However, in the non-resistant bacteria, the
vancomycin bound to the peptide chains prevents them from interacting properly with the cell wall cross-
linking enzyme.
4. In the resistant bacteria, stable cross links are formed. In the sensitive bacteria, cross-links cannot be formed
and the cell wall falls apart.
Alternative Therapies
Alternate Treatment
FOOD
GARLIC: You can cure and prevent MRSA by eating garlic, according to Dr. Ron Cutler, a
researcher at the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of East London. Dr. Cutler,
an expert on MRSA, reports that the allicin in garlic kills established MRSA, along with the new
varieties of the superbug. Eat one or two garlic cloves a day, either raw or added to your food.
As a topical application, apply mashed garlic clove on the boil and cover with a bandage for 24
hours, until you change the bandage again. Keep mashed garlic on the boil until the boil heals.
TUMERIC: According to a study from the Institute of Hepatology, University College London
Medical School, London, the curcumin in turmeric may fight inflammation and increase
resistance to disease. Other research suggests that turmeric may suppress the host gene that
binds to bacteria, thereby preventing bacteria from invading host cells. Make an oral turmeric
remedy. Combine 1 tsp. of turmeric powder in 2 cups of warm water and drink three times a
day, for current staph infections, and up to two weeks after the boil heals. If you have
recurrent episodes of MRSA boils, drink the turmeric remedy twice a day to keep blood clean.
METAL
COLLOIDAL SILVER: Colloidal silver is microscopic particles of silver that are held in a liquid
suspension. Prior to the invention of antibiotic drugs, silver was widely used by physicians as
a mainstream antibiotic because of its germicidal properties. Colloidal silver is usually
available as liquids and creams. Many colloidal silver products with varying degrees of
germicidal activity are available and not all colloidal silver products are created equal. Factors
including silver production and silver ion size contribute to the effectiveness or lack of in the
product. CAUTION: A very rare medical condition called Argyria which causes irreversible
gray skin coloration can occur if large quantities of improperly prepared silver accumulates in
the body
LIGHT THERAPY
LED: Blue Light Therapy has been reported to help topically treat MRSA infections. In 2009,
Enwemeka and colleagues concluded that relatively low doses of blue light using an LED device
that emits blue light--about 100 seconds worth--killed off about 30 percent of MRSA in vitro.
Longer doses were more effective, 10 times the exposure length to eliminate 80 percent of the
MRSA in culture dishes. Blue light has already received FDA approval for use as an antibiotic in
some areas, such as in the mouth and with acne.
How is it transmitted?
MRSA flourishes on human
skin and can travel from
person to person by direct
contact between broken and
infected skin, mucus or germs
spread by sneezes or coughs
Indirect contact includes
handling contaminated
objects such as clothing,
bedding, towels, furniture or
equipment found in hospitals
or gyms
Can also be obtained through
contact with polluted waters
Spread of MRSA and VRE in Healthcare
Facilities
Antibiotics
Wounds or invasive medical devices such as catheters are more
likely to get an infection
Indwelling urinary catheters, vascular access devices, endotracheal
tubes
Treated in the same room as or close to another patient with
MRSA
Unclean hands or medical equipment
unclean hands of healthcare workers or visitors, MRSA can be
spread when patients contact contaminated bed linens, bed rails,
and medical equipment.
Accompanied by painful
sensitivity
MRSA IDENTIFICATION
Many skin
infections are
similar in
appearance
School children
Homeless people
Hospital patients
Military personnel
MRSA can be spread among people having close contact with colonized or infected people. It can also
be obtained by sharing or using contaminated items (e.g. razors, towels or gym equipment).
work and go to school if they keep their wounds covered, practice good hygiene and avoid activities in
which skin-to-skin contact may occur.
10.) Could an infection come back after its treated?
It is possible to have a MRSA skin infection come back after its treated. To prevent this from happening,
follow your healthcare providers directions while you have the infection and follow the prevention steps
after the infection is gone.
References
Retrieved
Frequently Asked Questions About MRSA. (2005, August).
from
http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/mrsa/documents/mrsa_faq.pdf
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/acd/diseases/mrsa/facts.shtml
MRSA FAQ. (2005, April 21). Retrieved from
http://www.mountcarmelhealth.com/education-support/mrsa-faq/
MRSA FAQ. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mrsa/DS00735/DSECTION=test
MRSA Infection. (2010, May 29). Retrieved from
s-and-diagnosis
Retrieved
MRSA Slideshow: A Closer Look at MRSA. (2010, February 25).
from http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-
treatments/slideshow-closer-look-at-mrsa
from
Understanding MRSA Symptoms. (2009, December 5). Retrieved
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-
treatments/understanding-mrsa-symptoms