Staphylococcus aureus

Why is staphylococcus aureus one of the only bacteria able to live in the nose?

It is able to withstand high salt concentrations

What infection is staphylococcus aureus the main cause of?

Cellulitis (skin infection)

How does staphylococcus aureus most commonly get into surgical wounds?

Via the hands

What medical device commonly allows infection to staphylococcus aureus more likely?

IV cannulation

When staphylococcus aureus enters the blood what does it cause?

Bacteraemia

What can bacteraemia cause?

Endocarditis or osteomyelitis

What is the minimum length of antibiotics treatment for endocarditis or osteomyelitis?

2 weeks

Why is it important for patients with bacteraemia to be treated for a minimum of 2 weeks?

Because they may have undetected early stage endocarditis or osteomyelitis

How often does staphylococcus aureus replicate?

30 minutes

What is the most common antibiotic used to treat staphylococcus aureus?

Flucloxacillin

What is flucloxacillin derived from?

Methicillin

Bacteria that is treated by methicillin and its derived antibiotics are known as?

Methicillin susceptible staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)

What is the cell wall of bacteria made from?

Peptidoglycan

What in the cell wall of bacteria does flucloxacillin bind to?

Penicillin binding protein (PBP) used to synthesise peptidoglycan

What is the new form of PBP known as?

PBP2a

What is the importance of bacteria with PBP2a?

Flucloxacillin cannot bind to it (MRSA)

What antibiotic is used to treat MRSA?

Mupirocin and vancomycin

Where in the body is it best to put mupirocin to limit the spread of MRSA?

Nose

What are 5 highly effective antibiotics to treat MSSA staphylococcus aureus?

1) Flucloxacillin

2) Amoxicillin-clavulanic (co-amoxiclav)

3) Cefuroxime

4) Piperacillin-tazobactam

5) Meropenem

Flucloxacillin is a penicillin antibiotic, what could be given to treat a patient with a penicillin allergy?

- Teicoplanin

- Clarithromycin

What are 2 highly effective antibiotics to treat MRSA staphylococcus aureus?

1) Vancomycin

2) Linezolid