Cross Sectional Study

Humans are a natural reservoir for S. aureus, and asymptomatic colonization is far more common than infection. Young children tend to have higher colonization rates, probably because of their frequent contact with respiratory secretions.

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), specifically those involving multi-drug resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as well as higher cost of healthcare and longer length of hospital stays for patients. Each year, millions of people acquire infections while receiving care, treatment, and services in hospitals and other health care organizations.

Each state can compare its statistical data to the standardized infection ratio (SIR), a summarized ratio of the culmination of national data; this is an excellent method to track the progress in the goal of reducing and eventually eradicating HAIs. The report for the state of Kentucky on HAIs in the state’s acute care hospitals was based on information received from a total of 116 hospitals that provided data for this survey. Unfortunately, the incidence of reported HAIs associated with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of laboratory identified hospital-onset bloodstream infection, is extremely high. Kentucky’s reported incidences in 2014 of patients infected with MRSA while being treated in acute care hospitals is 25% higher than the national baseline. This information is a red flag for the state’s epidemiology experts and healthcare professionals, that infection control protocol in place should be reviewed and researched to determine what can be done, either on a hospital-to-hospital based level or a state-wide level, to improve the efficiency of reducing or eliminating HAIs that are associated with MRSA infections. One area that the state’s statistical data rates very well is in Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs). Kentucky’s number of reported incidences of this type of infection is 45% lower than the national baseline, suggesting that the protocol used for this type of infection is very effective compared to what is practiced in other

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a spherical bacteria which is known to produce a cytotoxin called Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PLV) which destroys leukocytes, and kills tissue (Lina et al., 1999). Five percent of strains of Staphylococcus are known to produce the disease-causing toxin (Lina et al., 1999), but though the amount of PLV-producing strains is somewhat small, the strains which produce PLV are apparently resistant to vancomycin, an antibiotic commonly used to treat staph infections (CDC, 2002). The first recorded case of S. aureus resistance to vancomycin was a reduction in sensitivity to the antibiotic observed in Japan, and has since spread to the United States (CDC, 2002). The most common source of infection of these drug-resistant bacteria are actually in hospitals, wherein the patients are exposed to the bacteria and subsequently infected (CDC, 2002).

The purpose of this project was to identify the identities of two unknown bacteria in a mixed broth culture by using several separation methods. To separate the organisms, a four-way streak plate technique was used to isolate the two unknown bacteria into separate visible colonies. Then after each colony were clearly isolated; the two unknowns were processed through Gram staining test to determine the Gram stain and morphology. After Gram staining, a carbohydrate test was performed on each unknown to determine if it had glucose, sucrose, or lactose fermentation. The results of the sugar test help determining which biochemical test should be performed next. The Gram positive organism was tested through a carbohydrate fermentation test, then further tested to confirm its identity through an indole and catalase test. The Gram negative organism was tested through carbohydrate fermentation test, then further tested to confirmed its identity through an indole, and TSIA test. After running four biochemical tests, the results conclude that the Gram positive unknown was Staphylococcus aureus. S. aureus was identified based on the fermentation results of the glucose test, negative indole test, and a positive catalase production. S. aureus is a Gram positive circular shaped bacterium that is very common in the U.S and is normally found in the nose, respiratory tract, and on the skin. This bacterium is usually the most common cause of infections after injury or surgery.

Checking in to the hospital comes with a heavy price tag, and sometimes you get more than what you bargained for. As highly trained doctors, nurses, and staff traverse through the hospital, they carry with them microbial agents of disease. Although regarded as centers for treatment and prevention, hospitals are also known to harbor nosocomial, healthcare-associated, bacterial infections. These infections can be a result of overused or inappropriately used antibiotics and the breaching of infection containment policies by patients and staff. Though healthcare-associated infections have been decreasing, one infection inciting nosocomial bacterium,

As nurses, taking care of patients with MRSA can be seen in everyday practice. It can be seen in patients with sepsis from an infected wound, patients who have pneumonia, or patients who only have a colonization for it (“Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), 2015”). Regardless if it’s colonization or an active infection, and the source of the infection, proper policies and procedures are in place to reduce the transmission of MRSA to other patients in the hospital or nursing home setting. This includes performing proper hand hygiene and standard precautions, as well as wearing protective gown and gloves when entering the patient’s room. It is very important to adhere to these policies and procedures and educate others on the importance of these policies and procedures to reduce the transmission of MRSA to others.

Recently, Stapylococcus aureus joint infection pathogenesis has become a major burden for patients and healthcare providers. A unique biofilm formation process allows bacteria to resist standard treatments used for infections. Specifically, a serious medical issue confronted by orthopedic surgeons is the prevalence of staph infections associated with joint reconstructions and replacements. According to the National Hospital Discharge Survey compiled in 2010, there are more than 7 million individuals just in the United States

CA-MRSA is not only cause skin and tissue infection but also causing more severe invasive infection of community – acquired pneumonia among children’s and adults .Study was carried out to detect the clinico-pathological characteristics of community acquired MRSA pneumonia on the basis of retrospective analysis of case records from 2004 to 2008.16 patients with CA-MRSA pneumonia were observed associated with symptoms such as cough, fever, dyspnoea. PFGE AND AMR methods were used .All isolates were susceptible to CN, TE, VA, and doxycycline. PFGE and pvl(using PCR )was performed for 11 isolates in which 9 were identified as CA-MRSA and 2 as HA-MRSA and 7 isolates were positive for PVL genes ( Thomas et al., 2011).

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that infects of the skin of an animal that creates horrific pain to the host. The name is broken down into three parts in Latin. “Staphyle” meaning “a bunch of grapes”, coccus which means “spherical bacterium” and aureus which best means “golden or gold-colored.” This name came about in Latin because when looked at under a microscope, the bacteria are all clumped together like grapes on a vine and the color is gold. (Harper n.d.) This bacterium is Gram-positive meaning that within the walls of the cell, peptidoglycan exceptionally thick. (Bruckner 2012) (PHAC 2012) A different strain of this bacterium called MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a bigger problem because it is unaffected by a type of penicillin, Methicillin. The first known sighting this particular resistant strain was first documented in 1961 by British scientists in England. (NiAID NIH 2008) Penicillin is used to create antibiotics because it in a way interferes with the cell wall of the strain and weakens it causing it to loose structure and die. By a strain becoming resistant, it learns the make-up of the antibiotic to change itself for the best chance of survival. (Tufts EDU 2014)

Staphylococcus aureus are found in the noses of about 30% of the population with the possibility of causing serious or fatal infections especially in the healthcare setting such as bacteremia, pneumonia, endocarditis and osteomyelitis (CDC, 2011). To differentiate Staphylococcus aureus from other Staphylococci, it is necessary to perform specific testing.

There is an alternative, cost-effective approach which is the use of chromogenic media for screening nasal specimens such as BBL CHROMagar MRSA II (CMRSA II, BD), MRSASelect and Spectra MRSA which are used for the qualitative detection of MRSA. These chromogenic media are very selective and differential for MRSA. These media are used for the suppression of Gram-negative

S.aureus is known to produce six various types of enterotoxin serologically (A, B, C, C2, D, and E) that vary in toxicity. Research shows that most strains of S.aurues produce one or two toxins only, while some strains are non-producers. However, food poisoning can be caused by

Diseases: The most common health concern associated with S. aureus is food poisoning caused by the release of enterotoxins, even in small doses, into food. Release of less than 1

According to the CDC, 33% of the population are asymptomatic carriers of the S. aureus bacteria in their nose while 2 out of 100 are MRSA carriers. Because of these high carriage rate, it is important to look at the rates in this class compared to the rest of the general population. The purpose of this experiment was to compare the results of the individuals, the class, and overall population as carriers of S. aureus.