Flesh Eating Bacteria - Research Paper Example

Apparently, the name flesh eating bacteria is linked to the idea that infected parts of a human body looks like gnawed. Streptococcus pyogenes' also known as group A -hemolytic streptococcus, GAS, and Strep A exoenzymes or endotoxins cause the disease or illness known as necrotizing fasciitis. Fasciitis is characterized by the swelling of the fascia (Stoppler, 2009; Engelkirk and Burton, 2007). Fascias are the dense fibrous connective tissues that wrap the human body below the layers of cells that compose the skin.

Fascias are also the tissues that enfold individual muscle fiber and envelope together individual muscles to form bundles. Similar dense fibrous connective tissues form tendons that attach muscles to bones, attach bones to bones, hold organs in place, and bind the different organs to form a stable system (Miller and Levine, 2003). The exoenzymes which are termed poisonous and lethal compounds are the primary complexes that cause the necrosis or death of vulnerable dense fibrous connective cells and tissues.

One identified exoenzymes causing cell death are the proteases (Engelkirk and Burton, 2007). The dense fibrous connective cells and tissues are basically protein, so the cells and tissues are composed of individual units called amino acids joined together by peptide bonds. The exoenzymes as well are basically proteins. However, exoenzymes as enzymes are catalysts (Engelkirk and Burton, 2007; Mader, 2001). The exoenzymes which are protease catalyses the breakdown of peptide bonds that joins the amino acids of the protein component of dense fibrous connective cells and tissues (Mosby's Pocket Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, & Allied Health, 2002).

This collapse of peptide bonds results to the disintegration of the basic units of the cells and tissues which means death of the cells and tissues. So, the layer of cells and tissues below the skin called fascia as well as those in the other locations of the body die the same way when there is enough exoenzymes produced by the Streptococcus pyogenes' that can be circulated by the blood throughout the entire human body. Apparently, the amino acids are utilized by the microorganisms for their sustenance, multiplication, growth, and development as facultative intracellular pathogens (Engelkirk and Burton, 2007).

Contaminated people are the most probable reservoirs of the microorganisms which may transmit the same to other people by direct or indirect contacts or through respiratory droplet infection. At present, S. pyrogenes has been found to be sensitive to bacitracin (Engelkirk and Burton, 2007, DHHSCDCP, 2009). Necrotizing fasciitis symptoms: tumor, fever, cellulites, swelling, pain, soft tissues, black and dry skin, foul-smelling-thick-gray drippings (Smith, 2002). Treatment: removal of dead tissues, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, adequate IV fluids, sterile operating room, local anesthetic, surgery if not flushing the area with copious amounts of sterile irrigating fluid (Smith, 2002).

Conversely, Staphylococcus aureus produce exoenzymes or exotoxin or epidermolytic toxins called catalase causing the