Question

"Humans acquire Staphylococcus saprophyticus from direct exposure to animals or inadequately cooked animal food products. Young women are more susceptible to genitourinary colonization than are others, and some people develop infection in association with hormonal influences that occur near or during menstruation. Sexual intercourse promotes colonization and infection. Alterations in the genital flora effected by spermicides or candidal infection favor colonization by S. saprophyticus. Anal intercourse may play a role in infection in homosexual men."

I am having trouble trying to figure out the relation between acquiring Staphylococcus saprophyticus from animals versus sexual intercourse. How are humans infected by Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and what would the symptoms of that be?

Answer 1

Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a gram positive bacterium which is responsible for urinary tract infections (UTI) in humans particularly in young females. It has special urotropic and ecological features that are distinctly different from infection caused by E.coli. Humans acquire Staphylococcus saprophyticus from direct exposure to animals or inadequately cooked animal food products. The gastrointestinal tract is the main reservoir of S.saprophyticus. Colonization of this bacteria is more frequent during summer and then falls. Women with S.saprophyticus colonization are more likely to display symptoms of UTI during past one year and during hormonal influences in recent menstruation and also having sexual intercourse with vaginal infection. UTI caused by S.saprophyticus with recent sexual intercourse increases the effect of colonization and infection because bateria are displaced from the natural genital flora and perineum into the urethra. The bacteria colonize the human gastrointestinal tract particularly in the gastroenteritis season in the summer and fall. Hence the seasonal variation exhibited by the microorganism is the reason of incidence of UTI.

In humans, S.saprophyticus is found in the normal genital flora and perineum of female genital tract, though it can be acquired directly from animals or inadequately cooked animal food products. Sexual activity increases the risk of incidence of UTI. Infection may also developed in association with hormonal influences during menstruation and individuals are symptomatic with UTI having recent menstruation. The use of protective devices like condoms and other spermicidal creams interfere with the normal geniatl flora and can favor colonization. Individuals using catheters may also susceptible for infection as they have the capacity to adhere to uroepithelial cells and to colonize indwelling catheters.

The clinical symptoms of S.saprophyticus infection includes severe urinary tract infection (UTI) which comprises of burning sensation on passing of urine, increase in urinary frequency, sharp pain sensation in lower abdominal region around the bladder and ovary areas, weak bladder, back pain, etc.