Staphylococci • cause of inflammation

Many people have staphylococci on their skin and in their nose. However, if the immune system is weakened, the bacteria can cause wounds, boils, or pneumonia, and their toxins can cause food poisoning. This is how you can protect yourself.

Staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus) show their grape seed-shaped structure under the microscope.
© Science Photo Library – SCIEPRO via Getty Images

At a glance:

From cosmetics to smartphones: the worst germ traps in everyday life

From cosmetics to smartphones: the worst germ traps in everyday life

How do you get staphylococci?

Staphylococci are common bacteria. They are found in around a quarter of people on the skin or in the nasal mucosa. That doesn't bother healthy people. However, if the bacterium encounters someone who has a weak immune system due to age or other illnesses, it can cause serious illnesses. Infection easily occurs through door handles, railings, when shaking hands or through food. This is why frequent hand washing is so important. Staphylococci can also be transmitted to humans from animals such as dogs.

Usually four to ten days pass between the ingestion of the bacteria and the onset of symptoms. The bacteria produce toxins. If the food or drink contains toxins from staphylococci, the body usually reacts within a few hours. But even people who do not have any symptoms can pass the bacterium on to others. This is particularly a problem in old people's homes and hospitals.

Staphylococci – which types are dangerous?

Literally translated, staphylococci are called "grape seeds" after they are viewed under the microscope. The most common are the "golden grape seeds" Staphylococcus aureus. They cause various types of inflammation. Furthermore, doctors differentiate whether the bacterium can be treated with an antibiotic or not:

  • MSSA stands for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus – this strain can be treated with an antibiotic.

  • MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus – it does not respond to antibiotics. The term MRSA is often used for all bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. They are especially dangerous because they are difficult to treat. MRSA is also known as a hospital germ because it occurs particularly frequently in hospitals. Surgical intensive care units, burn injury departments and neonatal wards are particularly affected.

  • Coagulase negative staphylococci (KNS) do not form any coagulase – a differentiating criterion, because the staphylococci aureus, which are particularly pathogenic, produce coagulase. But CNS can also cause infections, for example on joint prostheses, pacemaker pockets or artificial heart valves.

Other coagulase negative staphylococci, which in rare cases can cause diseases:

  • Staphylococcus pyogenes is a bacterium that causes soft tissue infections.

  • Staphylococcus saprophyticus causes urinary tract infections that are found in the urine.

  • Staphylococcus epidermidis is particularly found on implants.

  • Staphylococcus haemolyticus can affect wounds, bones, or joints.

  • Staphylococcus lugdunensis causes infections of the skin or the heart valves.

Boils, abscesses, pus – staphylococci as the cause

Staphylococci can cause different diseases. They are particularly often responsible for skin infections: If a wound or a pimple becomes infected with purulent inflammation, Staphylococcus aureus is usually responsible. The bacterium is also the trigger for boils (inflammation of a hair root) or abscesses (capsule filled with pus in the tissue). Sometimes the inflammation on wounds or ulcers extends deep into the tissue, sometimes to the muscle. The bacterium is also happy to put on top of existing skin diseases such as neurodermatitis.

Staphylococci can also cause more dangerous diseases such as pneumonia, muscle diseases or inflammation of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis). Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and blood poisoning (sepsis) are particularly dangerous: the general condition often deteriorates very suddenly. If left untreated, these diseases can lead to death.

Staphylococci also settle on catheters or drains and thus penetrate the body of people whose immune system has already been weakened by other diseases. Some staphylococci also produce toxins that are harmful to the body. If you have a rash or if the skin starts to itch, however, there are usually other diseases behind it.

Treatment of staphylococci

Anyone who suffers from purulent inflammation caused by staphylococci wants to get rid of it as soon as possible. In the case of smaller wounds or inflammations, the doctor usually does not determine the bacterial strain, but instead prescribes a locally acting antibiotic, such as an ointment or gel. It is applied several times a day and in most cases it heals. A systemic antibiotic – i.e. tablets or juice – is only necessary in the case of impetigo contagiosa (highly infectious skin rash usually occurring in children) or deep-reaching infections. This is often combined with a local application. The doctor also uses the systemic antibiotic if local application does not bring the desired result.

If deep soft tissue infections are found, or if a normal antibiotic does not work, the doctor needs to find out which strain of bacteria caused it. To do this, he takes a swab of pus and wound fluid at the edge of the wound. If the pus is inside the tissue, the doctor draws out liquid with the help of a syringe (biopsy). From this the pathogen is isolated and determined. With this knowledge, the doctor can then use a precisely fitting antibiotic. It is swallowed as a tablet or capsule. The treatment should be continued until the prescribed end – even if there is improvement beforehand – so as not to create any resistance to the active ingredient. In severe cases, the antibiotic can also be given intravenously directly into the vein.

How long do staphylococci survive?

The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is particularly resistant to environmental influences. It can survive for days at room temperature. The bacterium can survive in the refrigerator for around twelve hours. This is why staphylococci are easily transmitted via door handles, light switches or in the kitchen. There are often a lot of bacteria in the kitchen sink. It is therefore important to follow basic hygiene rules:

  • Regularly clean doorknobs, light switches and surfaces in the kitchen with antibacterial detergents. Water alone is not enough!

  • Wash cleaning rags and towels at 60 degrees in the washing machine and change them frequently.

  • When you come home and before preparing meals, wash your hands thoroughly with soap (recommended: soap for at least 20 seconds).

  • Do not leave cooked meals at room temperature for more than two hours.

  • Regularly disinfect the inside of the refrigerator. There are often more bacteria to be found there than in the toilet!

Hygiene tips for the kitchen