Premium Essay

Staphylococcus

In:

Submitted By pelicanfour
Words 664
Pages 3
Staphylococcus
Kelly Wilson
SCI/163
06/23/2014
Julie Valenzuela

Staphylococcus, also known as staph for short, is a type of bacteria, and there are over 30 different types. The most common is called Staphylococcus Aureas, which is also the one that causes most staph infections. This bacteria is most often found on the skin or respiratory system. This bacteria can cause a skin infection, septic arthritis, pneumonia, toxic shock syndrome, food poisoning, or blood poisoning. Skin infections are the most common form of a staph infection and look like a pimple or a boil, can be antibiotic resistant, or a flesh eating infection. Around 25 % of people normally carry this bacteria in their nose, mouth, foot, genitals or anal area. Everyone is susceptible to getting a staph infection.
There are several ways to become infected with the bacteria. The most common route of transmission is by a simple cut. Other ways are contact with surface or a person to person. Staph can live on pillows or towels, and can be transmitted to the next person just by touching. The foot can pick it up by stepping on. People can also carry the bacteria but never develop an infection. Those with weakened immune systems are more prone to developing and infection.
Staph can also cause food poisoning when ingested and is one of the most common causes. Lack of hand washing is the cause of food poisoning from a staph infection. Symptom will usually happen within hours of eating the food contaminated with the bacteria. This usually does not cause a fever, but causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and low blood pressure. Symptoms will go away quickly and last only about half of the day.
The most important step to prevent an outbreak is to wash your hand frequently. To keep it under control in the environment cleans infected areas with bleach or other disinfectants that specifically

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Staphylococcus

...Staphylococcus What is the infectious agent (pathogen) that causes this infectious disease? Infectious agent (pathogen called Staphylococcus aureus. In medical literature it is abbreviated to staph or S.aureus, it is a bacterium that causes infections. Commonly found on the skin and mostly in the nose and throat of 25% of healthy animals and humans. Depending on the strain type, it can cause skin infections like boils, pimples, abscesses, and carbuncles. Also pneumonia, endocartitis, toxic shock syndrome, and meningitis are life threatening diseases that can be caused by staph. Some strains also cause food poisoning. Methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MARSA) has developed antibiotic resistance. A half of million people are treated medically each year due to staph infections. How is this infectious agent transmitted through food or water? This agent is not necessarily transmitted through food or water, more through direct person-to-person contact. It can be transmitted through food by improper food handling and poor hygiene of food handlers. Staph is a common hospital infection due to health care providers being carriers of the bacteria, can be easily contaminated by contact with nose. Skin-to-skin is the most significant mode of transmission. What is an example of a real life outbreak of this foodborne illness in the United States? A real life outbreak of foodborne staph happened in north east Florida on September 27, 1997. Guests at a retirement party got staphylococcus...

Words: 486 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Sci/162 Wk7 Staphylococcus

...Staphylococcus As per wiki encyclopedia Etymologically, Staphylococcus derives from the Greek word “Staphyle” meaning a bunch of grapes, and “kokkos” means berries. Those bacteria under the microscope appear like a branch of grapes or berries. 1. Staphylococcus aureus is the pathogen that causes this infection called staph infections. It resides on the skin, in the mouth, the genital, anus, and at the beginning of the nasal area. They multiply rapidly to form a colony, and they harmlessly occupied these areas of your body. As soon as the skin is torn or broken, they rush in to invade that surface, and if not quickly treated they causes significant damage through serious infections. The bacteria appear in many forms and are able to create multiple diseases at once. For example acne, boils, styes (infections of the eyelids) are the result of their action. They can be the cause of urinary track infections, and methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These Bacteria build up strength naturally, and they will not dissipate with the common antibiotics treatment such as penicillin, special medications are required. 2. Infectious agent evolve within food and water in many forms; for example, when leaving meals and beverages exposed out in the air after a few hours it releases a toxin that creates a colony of staphylococcus aureus. Unfortunately, they are too complex to see with naked eyes to pick them apart before eating. When cooking, use patience to complete the...

Words: 751 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Antimicrobial Property of Garlic (Allium Sativum) Leaves Against Staphylococcus Aureus

...ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTY OF GARLIC (Allium sativum) LEAVES AGAINST Staphylococcus aureus An Undergraduate Thesis Presented to The Faculty of Natural Sciences College of Arts and Sciences San Beda College- Manila In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For BIO31 By: Larraine Love N. Muyalde April 2016 CHAPTER 1 Overview of Research Problem INTRODUCTION Statement of the Problem/Objectives of the Study Garlic (Allium sativum) is widely known for its use as the usual condiment in various recipes.Garlic has many medicinal uses according to various studies. However Garlic leaves aren’t given attention to because there are few studies about it. A small number of people use Garlic leaves as a part of their recipe. However, garlic leaves also contain an amount of what the garlic bulb has. Although most scientific studies have investigated the effects of garlic bulb, the leaves offer a similar profile of benefits and risks. Allicin, the primary active constituent of garlic bulb, appears in lower amounts in the leaves or chives of the plants (Russo,J. 2013). Garlic can rightfully be called one of nature’s wonderful plants with healing power. It can inhibit and kill bacteria, fungi, lower (blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar), prevent blood clotting, and contains anti-tumor properties. It can also boost the immune system to fight off potential disease...

Words: 2634 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Bacterial Efficacy of Aratiles Leaves (Muntingia Calabura Linn) Against Staphylococcus Aureaus

...Abstract Plant-based antimicrobials represent a vast untapped source of medicines and further exploration of plant antimicrobials needs to occur. Antimicrobials of plant origin have enormous therapeutic potential. . Antimicrobials of plant origin have enormous therapeutic potential. They are effective un treatment of infectious disease while simultaneously mitigating many of the side effects that are often associated with synthetic antimicrobials. Present study was executed to mainly investigate the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial efficacy of Muntingia calabura Linn against Staphylococcus aureaus. This study is done to provide people with an inexpensive, natural and safe anti inflammatory agent. In addition, it may ease the pain of arthritis. The output of this study will help to make anti inflammatory products out of aratilis (Muntingia calabura linn) flowers and leaves. This study might also provide new knowledge about the properties of aratilis (Muntingia calabura Linn). Extracts of aratilis leaves are subjected to several solutions of oil, water and ethanol at 1:1 ratio. Antibacterial efficacy is done using cup cylinder assay by measuring the diameter (mm) of the clear zone around the cup. The results showed that the oil solution showed an average value of 9.03mm, the ethanol solution showed an average value of 18.27 mm and the water solution with an average of 20.10 mm. The negative controls – oil, ethanol and water – exhibited an average of inhibition with...

Words: 7413 - Pages: 30

Free Essay

The Physiologic Effects of the Crude Concoction from Euphorbia Hirta (Tawa-Tawa) Using Staphylococcus Aureus for Anti-Bacterial Tests and Animal Inoculation Assay for Toxicity 1

...Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION Background Euphorbia hirta, belongs to the family of Euphorbiaceae which is a large family of dicotyledons, with about 300 genera and over 5,000 species. Here in the Philippines, the Euphorbia hirta, is commonly referred to as Tawa-tawa or Gatas-gatas in some provinces. It is also known as Asthma weed or Snake weed in the United States. The plants of 3 different species share Phoretic variations, these plants are: (1) Mutha (Cyperus rotundus), (2) Gatas-gatas (Euphorbia hirta) and (3) Botoncillo (Gomphena globosa). Tawa-tawa is usually very abundant in tropical regions such as the Philippines. A simple weed scattered in sunny lawns, waste places and open grasslands. It is pantropic in distribution. The plant is an annual, hairy herb, usually branched from the base, spreading up to 40 cm long. The stem is slender and often reddish and purplish in color, covered with yellowish bristly hairs especially in younger parts. The leaves are oppositely arranged, elliptical-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 1 to 2.5 cm long, toothed at the edge, and blotched with purple in the middle. In the axils appear numerous involucres, purplish or greenish, dense, axillary, short stalk clusters or crowded cymes, about 1 mm long. The capsules are broadly ovoid, hairy, three-angled, about 1.5 cm. The small green flowers constitute the inflourescence characteristics of the euphorbias. The stem and the leaves produce white or milky juice when cut (Lind and Tallantire...

Words: 8195 - Pages: 33

Free Essay

Adfa

...were seen in the blood agar. All the three organisms showed different hemolysis, as there were alpha, beta and gamma hemolysis present. In the mac-conkey, there was colorless colony that denotes lactose non-fermenter. Each colonies were then inoculated into different blood agar to do further testing. Organism A I. Microscope- Gram positive cocci II. Blood Agar – Beta hemolysis Complete hemolysis. III. Catalase test– Positive Presence of bubbles when catalase was added to the slide with the organism in it as it can convert hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. 2H2O2---- 2H2O + O2 The organism falls in the genus Staphylococcus or Micrococcus. IV. Coagulase test, Staphylococcus Latex test – Positive Clumping of the latex reagent seen within 20 seconds. The organism makes coagulase. These tests suggest that the organism is Staphylococcus aureus. So for confirmatory test, the organism was inoculated in mannitol salt agar and incubated. The result was yellow color colony (mannitol fermenter), which means it is S. aureus. Organism B I. Microscope- Gram negative bacilli II. Blood agar- Gamma hemolysis No hemolysis. III. Mac. Conkey- Colorless colony The organism does not ferment lactose. IV. Oxidase test- Negative The organism falls under enterobacteriacea. V. Indole test- Negative The organism does not metabolize tryptophan so no indole formation. This test narrowed down the organism to salmonella, shigella and Proteus mirabilis, as these organisms...

Words: 480 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Drug Abuse

...Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) This type of medium is both selective and differential. The MSA will select for organisms such as Staphylococcus species which can live in areas of high salt concentration (plate on the left in the picture below). This is in contrast to Streptococcus species, whose growth is selected against by this high salt agar (plate on the right in the picture below). The differential ingredient in MSA is the sugar mannitol. Organisms capable of using mannitol as a food source will produce acidic byproducts of fermentation that will lower the pH of the media. The acidity of the media will cause the pH indicator, phenol red, to turn yellow. Staphylococcus aureus is capable of fermenting mannitol (left side of left plate) while Staphylococcus epidermidis is not (right side of left plate). Glucose broth with Durham tubes This is a differential medium. It tests an organism's ability to ferment the sugar glucose as well as its ability to convert the end product of glycolysis, pyruvic acid into gaseous byproducts. This is a test commonly used when trying to identify Gram-negative enteric bacteria, all of which are glucose fermenters but only some of which produce gas. Like MSA, this medium also contains the pH indicator, phenol red. If an organism is capable of fermenting the sugar glucose, then acidic byproducts are formed and the pH indicator turns yellow. Escherichia coli is capable of fermenting glucose as are Proteus mirabilis (far right) and Shigella dysenteriae...

Words: 3346 - Pages: 14

Free Essay

Uti and Sti Labs

...Valery Taustsiakou G00296946 30th November 2015 Co-workers: Aishlinn Jennings, Veronica Gomes. Urinary Tract Cases and STI cases UTI/ Case 2 Clinical details: * 20year old female presented to student health clinic with characteristic UTI symptoms. * Her symptoms were dysuria, frequent and painful micturition for previous 2 days. * It was reported that she has not observed any blood in her urine. * Her temperature was checked and was normal. * An absence of flank pain was reported. * A mid-stream urine sample (MSU) sample was collected and sent to the microbiology laboratory for investigation. * The specimen was cultured on chromogenic UTI agar and CLED agar. * A diagnosis of UTI or cystits was made at the student health clinic. * This diagnosis requires laboratory confirmation. Results: Table 1. White cell count (WCC), red cell count (RCC) and bacterial colony count results from patient’s midstream urine sample.  Parameter | Number counted | Count (no./mm) | Reported/cmm | units (CFU/ul) | units (CFU/ml) | White cell count (WCC) | 374 | 374,000 | >100WCC/cmm | -  | - | Red cell count (RCC) | 27 | 2,700 |  Present | -  | - | Bacterial colony count | 200* |  - |  - | - | 2x105* | *= Macroscopic bacterial colony count was performed by the supervisor within a mixed but sparse colonial growth on the Orientation Chromagar medium. The macroscopic appearance of the urine samples was a cloudy turbid fluid. One epithelial cell was observed within...

Words: 4554 - Pages: 19

Free Essay

Anti-Legionella Activity of Staphylococcal Hemolytic Peptides

...anti-Legionella compounds. The culture supernatants of the strains, described in the literature to produce hemolytic peptides, were successfully submitted to a two step purification process. All the purified compounds, except one, corresponded to previously described hemolytic peptides and were not known for their anti-Legionella activity. By comparison of the minimal inhibitory concentrations, minimal permeabilization concentrations, decrease in the number of cultivable bacteria, hemolytic activity and selectivity, the purified peptides could be separated in two groups. First group, with warnericin RK as a leader, corresponds to the more hemolytic and bactericidal peptides. The peptides of the second group, represented by the PSM from Staphylococcus epidermidis, appeared bacteriostatic and poorly hemolytic. © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Article history: Received 15 December 2010 Received in revised form 19 January 2011 Accepted 19 January 2011 Available online 1 February 2011 Keywords: Legionella pneumophila Staphylococci Hemolytic peptides 1. Introduction Legionella pneumophila is a waterborne pathogenic bacterium responsible for severe pneumonia called Legionnaire’s disease [6,17]. In the environment, L....

Words: 3768 - Pages: 16

Free Essay

Diagnostic and Biochemical Tests

...Diagnostic and Biochemical Tests for Gram Positive Cocci/ Gram Negative Bacilli By: Angelita A. Briñas, RMT I. CATALASE TEST + result vigorous effervescence II. COAGULASE TEST III. MANNITOL SALT FERMENTATION TEST IV.DNASE TEST * * Staphylococus aureus on the left is negative for DNase production; the Serratia marcescens on the right is positive for DNase production as evidenced by the area of clearing around the growth. IV. NOVOBIOCIN TEST Rapid, automated identification of novobiocin-resistant, coagulase-negative staphylococci. (CoNS) ID of Staph.saprophyticus Resistant= less than 16mm Sensitive= more than 16mm * Staph.saprophyticus is Novobiocin resistant * Staph.epidermidis- Novobiocin sensitive V.BACITRACIN (TAXO A) TEST Difference of the group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus from other non-group A beta-hemolytic streptococci is by using sensitivity test to bacitracin (Taxo A discs). OPTOCHIN (TAXO P) DISCS TEST This is a differential test used to distinguish between organisms sensitive to the antibiotic optochin and those not. This test is used to distinguish Streptococcus pneumoniae (optochin sensitive (pictured on the right)) from other a-hemolytic streptococci (optochin resistant (Streptococcus mitis is pictured on the left). Bile- Esculin Hydrolysis Determine the ability to grow in 40% bile and esculin hydrolysis POSITIVE RESULT- Esculetin reacts with FeCl3 to form brown-black ppt The...

Words: 1498 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Lab Write Up

...Lab Write Up Identifying an Unknown Microbe Gregory Howard 10E The isolation I was given two unknown microbes and asked to identify them. The first step was to isolate each microbe. I did this by using the streak method to apply each microbe to an enrichment culture. The enrichment culture provides conditions to enhance growth of a species. Obataining a pure culture makes it easier to identify and study a particular species. The macconkey agar plate which is used to isolate and differentiate members of the enterobacteriace based on its ability to ferment lactose. Macconkey agar w/o crystal violet or bile will only grow gn rods which inhibits the growth of gp cocci. Columbia can agar plate which is a medium that allows growth of gp orgs especiall staphylococci, streptococci, and enterococci and inhibits the growth of gn orgs. After both plates where streaked they where incubated at 35 degress celcius for 48 hours. The Gram Stain Next I performed a gram stain to detect differences between microbes or differences in structure of the same microbe. This being my first time I ever gram stained false results could be because of poor staining techniques. Usina a modern light microscope I observed each microbe that grew on its agar plate of interest. Through my gram staining and visual observation I came to the conclusion that the macconkey agar plate grew enterobacteriace , a GN rod shape org and the org that grew on the Columbia can plate resembled a cocci due to its cluster...

Words: 3016 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Staph

...Staphylococcus • What is the infectious agent that causes this infectious disease? Staphylococcus is caused by a bacteria called staphylococcus aureus and is commonly referred to as “Staph”. Staphylococcus aureus is a spherical bacterium (coccus) which usually is seen in pairs, short chains, or in bunches, much like grape clusters. This bacterium is Gram-positive, which is the being of bacteria relating to a bacterium that retains the violet stain used in Gram’s Method. The bacterium also is capable of producing a heat-stable protein toxin that can cause illness. The infection can range from minor discomfort to life threatening. There are many different types of staph bacteria, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Golden Staph, which is the most common cause of staph infections. Each infection is slightly different, because of the mutation of the bacteria, but the symptoms and causes of staph are easily identified. • How is this infectious agent transmitted through food or water? Staphylococcus aureus can be spread from lack of hand washing during food preparation. Hands can contaminate food, which can lead to food poisoning. By preparing food while having a nose or eye infection, preparing or serving food for others while having wounds or skin infections on wrists or hands, and storing foods improperly can cause “staph” to be spread during food preparation. Hot foods should be kept hot (over 140 °F) and cold foods should be kept cold (40...

Words: 736 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Micro Paper

...The positively best bacteria to receive when doing an unknown project   The word bacteria receives a bad connotation in the everyday world but some may not realize the importance bacteria has on a person’s immunity and health. There can be both good and bad bacteria. Good bacteria, for example, helps to breakdown food enabling the digestion process to work smoothly and absorb nutrients like probiotics. These good bacteria are often found in foods like yogurt, cheese, and sauerkraut. Best of all, good bacteria can help treat infectious diseases. A study has shown that, when injected with a good predatory bacteria like Micavibrio aeruginosavorus and Bdellovibrio baceriovorus, an antibiotic resistant bacteria was defenseless (Nordqvist, 2013). The study was created for an eye infection to see whether good bacterial pathogens would be able to fight off bad bacterial pathogens without damaging the eye or causing further irritation. The term microbiology means the study of microscopic organisms. Within the specialized area, microbiologists help to identify new organisms and how they affect life on earth. There are new organisms being discovered every day, and there could be dangers or losses without proper identification of how they live, what they do, and can they be controlled. A study was done to show the process of categorizing and identifying an unknown organism. Throughout the semester, multiple tests were performed to distinguish between the different types of bacteria...

Words: 2062 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Nt1310 Unit 3 Assignment On Infection Control

...I will be writing my assignment on infection control about methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium which lives on the skin of 30% of well people without causing infection. This is a type of bacterium that is resistant to various penicillin based formulas antibiotics. Since discovered in 1940, Staphylococcus aureus was known to be resistant to all penicillin antibiotics and so being more difficult to treat than other microbial infections(brunner. According to Wilson(2006) Staphylococci aureau is said to be liable for one third of surgical infections and an increase in hospital acquired blood stream infections. Mrsa is commonly found in health care settings and recently in the community. These are generally classified as a MRSA: health care-associated and community-associated infections. There is a concern that Mrsa will become entirely resistant to antibiotics and many infected patients have a...

Words: 946 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Staphylococcal

...the enterotoxins that some strains of Staphylococcus Aureus produce (BBB Staphylococcus Aureus, 2012). Foods related with staphylococcus food poisoning include poultry and eggs; meat and meat products; salads such as tuna, chicken, or egg; baked goods such as cream-filled pies; milk and dairy products. Mishandled food during preparation and kept in a considerably high temperature known as the temperature danger zone 41 degrees to 141 degrees are involved in staphylococcal food poisoning. Also staphylococcal can be spread by hand contact, coughing, and sneezing. Food handlers are the number one cause of food poisoning outbreaks unclean food surfaces can also cause staphylococcus aureus. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration 1,364 children became ill who ate lunch that was served to 16 elementary schools in Texas. The food was prepared in an outside kitchen and delivered to the schools. The epidemiological studies revealed that the children who became ill ate chicken salad. The chicken was prepared by the kitchen; after boiling the chicken it was cooled at room temperature using fans. After preparation of the chicken salad it was kept refrigerated overnight between 42 degrees and 45 degrees, placed in thermal containers and delivered to the schools and was kept at room temperature until served. Contamination occurred during the cooling process, the chicken was not cooled quickly and the growth of staphylococcus occurred during the time the chicken salad...

Words: 581 - Pages: 3