Question

A 13-year old girl is brought to hospital by her mother. She is reported to have a sudden onset of fever (103⁰ F), lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting and watery diarrhea. Physical examination reveals a desquamating rash of her palms and soles. She has no sick contact and there is no evidence of food poisoning. Upon questioning the patient says she started menstruating (menarche) a little over a month ago and she currently just finished her periods. It is Staphylococcus aureus.

1. Explain the spread or the occurrence for this infection (cause and transmission) and pathogenicity (virulent factors) of this agent relevant to this case study.
2. Describe the diagnoses (source of specimen, lab tests, and results that confirm your microbe) and treatment (name of Rx, what it targets, why/how does it work against this microbe) also include the general management of this patient.

Answer 1

Answer : Staphylococcus aureus is most often spread to others by contaminated hands ( including touching infected blood or body fluids ).Staphylococcus aureus infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria ,types of germs commonly found on the skin or in the nose of even healthy individuals. Most of the time ,this bacteria cause no problems or result in relatively minor skin infections.It is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections such as abscess ,furuncles and cellulitis. Causes : 1) weakened immune system 2) Burns 3) skin damage conditions such as eczema ,insect bites and other minor injuries that open the skin 4) Respiratory illness such as emphysema 5) surgical wounds 6)unsanitory food preparations 6) Transplantation surgeries . 7) invasive medical equipments such aventilator tubings , oxygen mask and other devices.   Symptoms : 1) redness ,swelling and pain at the site of infection . 2) Nausea and vomiting 3) Diarrhea 4)dehydration 5) Low blood pressure 6) cellulitis : infection of the deeper layer of the skin . 6) A high fever 7) confusion 8) muscle aches 9) joint swelling 10) stomach pain 11) impetigo : painful rash on the skin . Treatment : 1) Use of antibiotics such as Cefazolin ,Cefuroxime ,cephalexine and vancomycin. 2) some type of Staphylococcus aureus are resistant to drugs such as MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), in this situation doctors advise Mupirocin and Bactroban use for the treatment . General instructions : 1) Wash hands before and after doing anything like touching patient's , cooking ,touching body fluids and other jobs . 2) provide separate room for the patient 3) cover the wound and other cuttings with bandage 4) Avoid the use of towels , plates and other things of the patient.