Signs and Symptoms of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus - Research Paper Example

MRSA" Introduction Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization, results in severe infections in humans. It is examined that Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a widespread basis of illness in society and hospital surroundings. The severity is due to its multi-drug resistant nature. It is therefore also known as multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus, as it is the strain that has developed resistance to beta-lactam as well as cephalosporin group of antibiotics. It is a nuisance in hospital for the patients with open wounds or on invasive devices. It is bothersome for immunocompromised patients. Signs and Symptoms of MRSA In most of the cases skin infections leads to MRSA: 1. Cellulitis: Infection of the skin or skin tissues, initiated as small red bump. 2. Boils: They are generally pus-filled and occur due to inflammation or infection of the hair follicles. 3. Abscess: It occurs due to accumulation of pus either in the skin epidermal cells or in the underlying tissues of the skin. 4. Sty: It occurs due to the infection of oil gland present on the eye lids. 5. Carbuncles: It is more severe kind of infection, a condition serious than the abscess. 6. Impetigo: In such condition pus-filled blisters occur. 7. Rash: Skin demarcates red colored patches. MRSA gains entry into the body through these lesions on the skin and can spread to other organs too. Once it gains entry into the internal organs the condition may worsen and symptoms like, fever, chills, reduction in blood pressure, pain in joints could be witnessed, further, headaches, shortness of breath may result. Under grave conditions rashes appear all through the body and a medical emergency occurs. The condition may lead to endocarditis, necrotizing fasciitis, sepsis, osteomyelitis all these conditions may turn out to be fatal. History of MRSA Tracing the history, it was discovered in 1961 in UK. Later, in 1981, it come into notice in USA amongst the drug abusers or those who were taking medications through intravenous routes. It is because of its terrifying nature it is also referred as “super bug” in medical science. With time the bacterium has gained resistance over different antibiotics and thus has emerged as ferocious disease causing organism. Records state that the number of cases are enhancing at a rapid pace. According to published reports by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 127,000 cases were reported in 1999 while in 2005 the number augmented to 278,000, moreover the death toll also enhanced from 11,000 to 17,000. Further it was estimated that 94,360 deaths were due to MRSA infection, of these 18,650 were due to hospitalizations in the year 2005 (Klein, 2007). The statistics suggests that MRSA is responsible for greater number of deaths per year in USA as compared to the deaths caused by AIDS (Stein, 2007). Based on the studies, MRSA has been categorized as Community Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) or Healthcare Associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). Causes of MRSA 1. MRSA is a painful condition; individuals with compromised immune system may get affected at a rapid pace as compared to those with enhanced immunity. It is observed that consumption of junk food or food items poor in nutrient value but high in calories weaken the immune system, also, consumption of polluted water or toxic chemicals also alters the body’s immunity, especially those incorporated with magnesium stearate, a carcinogen (Cooper). 2. Open wounds pave the way for MRSA infection (Cooper). 3. Sharing dormitory, prisons, hostels, hotels, other day-to-day life items are responsible for transmission of the organism causing MRSA. 4. Burn patients or patients with traumatic wounds or patients with intravenous lines are gets infection more easily. 5. Depressed immune response due to HIV-infection or sue to chronic conditions like diabetes or cancer may cause MRSA threats (MRSA Infection). 6. Individuals dealing with live food-producing animals may get victimized. Transmission of MRSA 1. Direct contact with the patient: Physical contact with the patient or the person who is victim of MRSA or a carrier, those who are not infected but harbor the organism. 2. Indirect contact: Contacting doors, windows, latches, handles, floors, taps, sinks, towels that was once touched by the MRSA-infected patient or a carrier of MRSA. 3. People with normal skin are at lesser risk then those with open wounds, cuts or abrasions or psoriasis. 4. Carelessness towards the skin imperfections may also result in causing invasion of MRSA. 5. Lung infected patients such as cases of pneumonia can transmit MRSA by means of airborne droplets. 6. Healthcare workers may also serve as a vector for the transmission of MRSA. Diagnosis of the Disease Sample from skin, either pus from wound or blood, urine or from the biopsy tissue is examined microbiologically. The sample is cultured for S aureus. On isolation of the strain it is tested for its antibiotic sensitivity/ resistance. Growth of the organism in the presence of antibiotic Methicillin, indicates the resistance of S aureus for antibiotic and the individual is diagnosed as MRSA positive. The test confirms the infection due to MRSA and infection is not due to any other means viz. Insect/ spider bite or any other incidence such as skin changes as in Lyme disease. In recent days samples can be observed in PCR (MRSA Infection). Prevention of MRSA Infection 1. No direct contact with the patient, especially skin and clothing or any other item being touched or used by the patient or carrier. 2. Application of antiseptic cream or covering the wound with first aid dressing material could prevent wounds from contracting the infection. 3. Adopting and practicing good hygiene reduces the chances of getting infection. 4. Frequent hand washing habit could also prevent chances of infection. 5. Clothes should be washed properly and if possible should be sterilized. 6. Constant screening of the patients when administered to the hospital may reduce the chances of hospital acquired MRSA. 7. Constant surface sanitization may prevent the spread of MRSA. 8. Routine and regular use of surgical respirator may prevent the spread of MRSA. 9. Adoption of appropriate method for the disposal of hospital waste may also prevent spread of MRSA. 10. Isolation of MRSA victims may minimize the MRSA spread incidence. 11. Check on the utilization and prescription of antibiotics. Treatment It is evident that, apart from emerging cause of skin and soft tissue infections, S. aureus, including MRSA, also represents a significant proportion of invasive infections, including bacteremia. CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA are known to be highly resistant to anti-staphylococcal beta-lactam antibiotics. Vancomycin has emerged as the drug of choice for the CA-MRSA. Although HA-MRSA shows much resistance towards the antibiotics including Vancomycin. In the recent years, linezolid and daptomycin are found to be effective against both the groups, CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA. To treat MRSA infections, glycopeptides antibiotics such as Vancomycin and teicoplanin. It is observed that Teicoplanin has similar spectrum as Vancomycin but possess longer half-life than Vancomycin. It is recommended that these antibiotics must be administered intravenously for rapid action as well as to check systemic infections (Janknegt,1997). Recent studies display the fact that honey could be used to combat MRSA because of its high osmotic concentration and hypertonic nature. Prognosis Prognosis of MRSA infection depends on the intensity of the infection. It is reported that MRSA associated with pneumonia or any other lung infection and blood poisoning display high death rate. It is observed that individuals possessing good health and high immunity recover and the recovery percentage is ~100% in case of good and sound health as well as immunity. It is also believed and postulated that an individual could remain a carrier for as long as 30 months. In case of immunocompromised individual, or as soon as the body immunity is lowered due to physiological condition or due to contraction of some disease or ailment, recurrence of the disease may occur or the individuals may get victimized of MRSA (MRSA infection-1). Recent Research Clinical Research Maggot therapy to wipe out necrotic tissue of MRSA is found to be successful (Maggots help cure MRSA patients). Clinical trials for many antibiotics are already in the Phase I and Phase II trials and as soon as they are approved, they will be available as the promising cure for MRSA. Antibiotic Nemonoxacin is in the Phase II of the clinical trial (Safety and Efficacy Study). References Cooper, J. “What causes MRSA?” Available at http://www.mrsa-staph-infection.com/articles/what-causes-mrsa.shtml. [Accessed on 13th April 2011]. Janknegt, R. "The treatment of staphylococcal infections with special reference to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacoeconomic considerations". Pharmacy world & science : PWS 19 (3): 133–41, 1997. Klein, E., Smith, D.L., Laxminarayan, R. "Hospitalizations and Deaths Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, United States, 1999–2005". Emerg Infect Dis 13 (12): 1840–6, 2007. Maggots help Cure MRSA patients. Available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/6614471.stm. [Accessed on 13th April 2011]. MRSA Infection. Available at http://www.medicinenet.com/mrsa_infection/article.htm. [Accessed on 13th April 2011]. MRSA Infection-1. Available at http://www.emedicinehealth.com/mrsa_infection/page10_em.htm. [Accessed on 13th April 2011]. Safety and Efficacy Study of TG-873870 (Nemonoxacin) in Diabetic Foot Infections. Available at http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00685698. [Accessed on 13th April 2011]. Stein, R. "Drug-resistant staph germs toll is higher than thought." Washington Post. Retrieved on 2007-10-19. Read More