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S
taphylococcus epidermidis is one
of the known strains of Staphylococcus and is part of the
flora that resides in the human body. It is often found in
the nasal passages and in animals but is often non-pathogenic.
Only those with weakened immune systems are often affected
by infections caused by this type of staph bacteria. Lately
though, newer more virulent strains have come about affecting
both healthy people that have not recently been admitted to
hospital. Once the bacteria affects the soft tissues of the
organs, the staph bacteria causes the breakdown of these bodily
functions.
In hospital settings though, staphylococcus epidermidis affects
patients that use catheters or surgical implants because of
their propensity to proliferate on these surfaces. Staphylococcus
epidermidis easily forms on bio films of plastic devices as
the staph bacteria is able to attach itself to the binding
factors of blood and extracellular matrix proteins on the
prosthetic device. The result is polysaccharide intercellular
adhesion by the bacteria. The biofilm makes for a perfect
metabolic activity area for the bacteria to multiply but also
makes it easier to clean the infection. This is not easily
reached by conventional antibiotic remedies thus needing a
more invasive kind of treatment to clear the infection.
This kind of staph infection is often compared to staphylococcus
aureus and are the most common bacteria that causes infections
in the population. Both form part of the many bacteria inhabiting
the body, with the staphylococcus epidermidis inhabiting the
skin while the staphylococcus aureus is usually found in the
nasal passageways. Both have developed strains that are resistant
to antibiotics and antimicrobials which limits its curability
factor. The only remaining effective antibiotic to combat
both strains is the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin. The
problem though, the bacteria has also mutated with reports
of staph aureus bacteria resistant to even vancomycin.
Since staphylococcus epidermidis is prone to proliferate
in biofilms on prosthetics placed within the body, plastics
in the body are often magnets for these kinds of infection.
These include intravenous catheters and medical prosthetics.
Infection also occurs with dialysis patients or patients with
implanted plastic device that has been contaminated. Another
resulting illness is endocarditis, as this infection occurs
with defective heart valves. Sepsis can also occur when the
staph infection affects the blood. The most common procedure
to treat this kind of infection is by replacement of the plastic
implant, but the infection can easily be prevented.
Prevention is key in avoiding major surgery when it comes
to staphylococcus epidermidis. First, you need to have the
implant or plastic tool properly cleaned and sterilized. There
are now many kinds of implants and catheters that are specifically
cleaned to avoid the staphylococcus epidermidis. Secondly,
you need to have a regular check up if the prosthetic is embedded
in your body. This is to avoid any possible build up of any
pathogenic material. Finally, at the first sign of swelling,
have the area examined by a doctor to see if the pathogen
is present in the area of the implant.
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