Staphylococcal infections

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Staphylococcal infections are a very common group of infections, mainly affecting the skin, but sometimes causing serious internal disorders. Staphylococci clump together in bunches (the name comes from the Greek word staphyle, meaning 'a bunch of grapes') and contaminate the skin.

Usually the staphylococcal bacteria are not concentrated enough to do any harm, but sometimes they pass deeper into the skin to cause boils, abscesses, styes and carbuncles.

Staphylococcal germs in the bloodstream (bacteraemia) may lead to:

septic shock,
severe joint problems (septic arthritis),
bone marrow infection (Osteomyelitis),
lung infection (Pneumonia),
widespread abscesses, and
infection of the heart lining (Endocarditis).

Staphylococcal food poisoning is caused by the poison (toxin) produced by the germs, and the usual source of contamination is a pustule or boil on the skin of a food-handler. The germs continue to reproduce on the food, even at normal room temperatures, and to secrete the toxin.

Staphylococcal food poisoning causes severe vomiting, and often diarrhoea, within 2-6 hours of eating the food, but the symptoms rarely last for more than about 12 hours. Staphylococcal infection may also cause impetigo and toxic shock syndrome.

See articles on:

Abrasions and cuts,
Abscess,
Breast abscess,
Impetigo, and
Toxic shock syndrome.

MRSA (Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) is a particularly resistant type of Staphylococcus.

Treatment