Staphylococcal Disease Research Articles

Methicillin treatment of severe staphylococcal disease. Observations in 146 cases.

UNTIL recently the antibiotic treatment of serious staphylococcal disease was hampered by the emergence of resistance of the organisms to most of the available antimicrobial agents and by the toxicity of those that remained effective. The nature of staphylococcal infections, their necrotizing character and their propensity to produce walled-off abscesses also tends to render the organisms difficult to reach by circulating antibacterial substances. The isolation of 6-aminopenicillanic acid by Batchelor et al.1 has made possible the production of semisynthetic penicillins that are resistant to staphylococcal penicillinase (or penicillinases) and are as nontoxic as penicillin G, thus offering hope of an . . .

Anti-leucocidin and mastitis puerperalis.

The local and general lesions in staphylococcal disease are generally ascribed-at least partly-to toxic sub stances and other soluble products produced by the staphylococci (Houser and Berry, 1961). The important role of a-toxin is generally recognized. The occurrence of staphylococcal lesions in people with a high level of anti-a-toxin in their serum proves that immunity against staphylococcal infections is due to more factors. Apart from antibacterial immunity the antitoxic immunity with regard to other toxins has to be considered. The Panton-Valentine leucocidin, which damages human leucocytes but is not haemolytic, could possibly contribute to the development of local lesions. Panton and Valentine (1932) and Proom (1937) reported that staphylococcal strains from serious infections produced more leucocidin. (Cf. also Valentine, 1936; Valentine and Butler, 1939; Butler and Valentine, 1943.) Johanovsky (1958) also found a higher leucocidin production with strains from lesions than with strains from healthy carriers. The work of Gladstone and van Heyningen (1957) and of Woodin (1959, 1960, 1961) on the production and purification of this toxin has opened the possibility of studying the contribution of leucocidin in staphylococcal infection and of anti-leucocidin in immunity against such infections (Schwabacher and Salsbury, 1958; Towers and Gladstone, 1958; Towers, 1961). Following Johanovsky (1958) we studied the influence of anti-leucocidin in the serum of newborn infants and their mothers on the frequency of staphylococcal infections in the period after confinement.

History, Epidemiology, and Control of Staphylococcal Disease in Seattle

History, Epidemiology, and Control of Staphylococcal Disease in Seattle Reimert T. Ravenholt CopyRight https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.52.11.1796 Published Online: August 29, 2011

The mother as a source of neonatal staphylococci.

OBSERVATIONS of the natural history of epidemic staphylococcal disease in newborn nurseries and studies of the transmission of staphylococci to newborn infants have clearly shown that the sources of most strains are other infants or nursery personnel. Although it has been established that the general population includes many nasal carriers of Staphylococcus aureus 1 it is not known how often carrier mothers transmit these organisms to their infants. The following data, obtained during the course of studies of the transmission of staphylococci among newborn infants, indicate the frequency with which such organisms are acquired by the newborn infant from the mother. . . .

Staphylococcal disease.

Staphylococcal disease.

STUDIES OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTION

The many studies of the epidemiology of hospital-acquired staphylococcal disease have not materially improved our ability to prevent the occurrence of these infections. Epidemic staphylococcal disease, observed particularly in infants in nurseries for newborns, appears now to occur less frequently than formerly. This is possibly attributable to our understanding of the role of and control of infected hospital personnel, but the frequency of infection in other hospitalized patients has not changed appreciably over the past few years. Major staphylococcal disease, as characterized by bacteremia or involvement of a vital organ, however, is of less serious importance than formerly. This decreased seriousness is largely attributed to the introduction of antibiotics, such as methicillin and vancomycin hydrochloride (Vancosin), which have improved our armamentarium for the management of infection caused by penicillin-resistant staphylococci. More precise information about the circumstances under which staphylococcal infection develops, defining the susceptible persons in the hospital and the

Studies of the epidemiology of staphylococcal infection. V. The reporting of hospital-acquired infection.

This study compares the accuracy of 2 systems for reporting staphylococcal infections. Ward visits were made by a member of the committee on infections to each patient from whom a coagulasepositive staphylococcus was isolated, and a "report of infection" card system was used. Of 149 instances of staphylococcal disease developing in medical and surgical patients, only 95 (64%) were noted on the "report of infection" cards returned by the ward physicians. There were 600 patients from whom a coagulase-positive staphylococcus was isolated but only 149 actually had hospital-acquired staphylococcal disease. Infection rate data obtained using a "report of infection" card system were unreliable. The system of ward visits by a member of the committee on infections using reports from the bacteriology laboratory proved to be a more accurate detection method.

Bacitracin ointment and neonatal staphylococci.

The control of staphylococcal disease in newborn nurseries continues to be a major problem. In spite of all precautions, sporadic outbreaks of staphylococcal infections continue to occur, and epidemics of staphylococcal disease are not uncommon. Such epidemics are usually well established before they are recognized, since clinical manifestations of the infection often do not appear until after the newborns have been discharged from the hospital. Recently it was brought to our attention that newborn infants were being returned to the clinics of this hospital with staphylococcal pyoderma. Accordingly, a bacteriological survey was undertaken which indicated that most of the nursery population was heavily colonized with Staphylococcus aureus, Phage Type 54. This population offered a unique opportunity for investigation, since the survey also indicated that the colonized with Staphylococcus aureus, Phage Type 54. This population offered a unique opportunity for investigation, since the survey also indicated that the epidemic was maintained

Staphylococcus phage lysates: an immuno-biological therapy for the prevention and control of staphylococcal disease.

The LaryngoscopeVolume 72, Issue 3 p. 367-383 Article Staphylococcus phage lysates: An immuno-biological therapy for the prevention and control of staphylococcal disease A. Ernest Mills M.D., A. Ernest Mills M.D. West Medford, Mass. Medical Director, Delmont LaboratoriesSearch for more papers by this author A. Ernest Mills M.D., A. Ernest Mills M.D. West Medford, Mass. Medical Director, Delmont LaboratoriesSearch for more papers by this author First published: March 1962 https://doi.org/10.1288/00005537-196203000-00004Citations: 1 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume72, Issue3March 1962Pages 367-383 RelatedInformation

Isolation and properties of a surface antigen of Staphylococcus aureus.

A technique is described for the isolation and purification of an antigen released into the culture medium by Staphylococcus aureus strain Smith. The antigen was found to be homogeneous when examined by free electrophoresis and analytic ultracentrifugation. Immunologic homogeneity was established by immunoelectrophoresis and quantitative precipitin tests using high titer antiserum prepared against the homologous organism. Chemical analysis showed that the antigen contained 70 per cent carbohydrate, of which approximately 30 to 35 per cent was believed to be glucosamine. The analytic data suggested that another amino sugar, probably carboxylated, was also present, but extreme lability of this compound to mild hydrolytic procedures has thus far precluded further identification. The remainder of the antigen was composed of alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine, glycine, serine, and threonine. No muramic acid was found. The chemical and physical data indicate that the antigen described herein is a previously unrecognized component of Staphylococcus aureus. The purified compound was capable of absorbing agglutinating antibody from antiserum prepared against S. aureus Smith, indicating that it was a surface component of this encapsulated staphylococcus. It is proposed that the antigen be known as the Smith surface antigen (SSA). The injection of SSA into rabbits did not produce precipitating antibodies. However, SSA did precipitate at low concentrations (0.5 microg/ml) with antiserum prepared against S. aureus Smith and one other strain of S. aureus tested. Antiserum against two other aureus strains reacted only with high concentrations of SSA. SSA did not react with S. albus antiserum or with normal sera from several animal species. Experiments are in progress to define further the distribution of SSA. Intradermal injection of small quantities of SSA into rabbits immunized with S. aureus Smith evoked a reaction of cutaneous hypersensitivity, which was maximal in 8 to 12 hours. SSA appeared to be the substance responsible for the ability of S. aureus Smith to resist engulfment by phagocytes, since absorption of Smith antiserum with SSA effectively removed opsonizing antibodies. SSA induced protection in mice against experimental staphylococcal disease. The subcutaneous injection of 0.1 microg resulted in protection against a subsequent intraperitoneal challenge with 50 to 100 LD(50)'s of S. aureus Smith suspended in mucin. Increasing as well as decreasing the immunizing dose resulted in significantly less protection.

Staphylococcal disease: imperfectly understood aspects.

Staphylococcal disease: imperfectly understood aspects.

Air contamination and staphylococcal infection. Relation to nursery crowding.

In recent years, epidemic staphylococcal infection has been recognized as a problem in hospitals throughout the world. 1-3 Its occurrence in newborn nurseries has stimulated conjecture and speculation as well as scientific study concerning the source and mode of transmission of staphylococci and methods for their control. 4-9 Traditional methods of communicable disease control in newborn nurseries have included use of gowns, masks, frequent lengthy hand washes, special cleansing and disinfecting agents, and wide spatial separation of babies. For the most part the effectiveness of these measures has not been evaluated specifically in relation to control of staphylococcal infection and disease. The relationship between newborn nursery floor space allotment per infant and staphylococcal infection* and disease † was selected for study with specific interest directed toward the recommended space requirements per infant as outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics. 10 Two hypotheses were proposed for testing: (1) the rate

Studies of the Epidemiology of Staphylococcal Infection

THE clinical course of staphylococcal disease may be affected by the number and virulence of the invading micro-organism, susceptibility of the infected host and the treatment given. Determinants of susceptibility are perhaps the least well understood of these factors. It is recognized, however, that certain patients, such as those with dermatitis and diabetes mellitus, are unduly susceptible to staphylococcal disease.1 , 2 Furthermore, reports of epidemics of nosocomial infections suggest that postoperative patients and newborn infants are peculiarly susceptible.2 3 4 5 6 7 It has been shown experimentally that starvation and the feeding of certain pharmacologically active substances, such as thyroxine and dinitrophenol, affect adversely the . . .

Antimicrobial Therapy in Staphylococcal Disease of Children

Antimicrobial Therapy in Staphylococcal Disease of Children

THE ROLE OF THE CARRIER IN STAPHYLOCOCCAL DISEASE

THE ROLE OF THE CARRIER IN STAPHYLOCOCCAL DISEASE

Observations on an antistaphylococcal mouse protective antibody in human sera.

SUMMARYSignificant amounts of antibody capable of protecting mice against lethal intraperitoneal challenge with living staphylococci of strain 90B (Smith), suspended in mucin, were found in 53 out of 100 human sera. Fifty of these sera had been obtained from normal blood donors and 50 from patients suffering from boils; the sera from these two groups contained similar amounts of antibody.Strain 90B, known in the United States as strain Smith, and three other strains of staphylococci also obtained from the United States resembled one another in the following characters: the formation of mucoid colonies; the slight production of coagulase; high virulence, particularly in mucin suspension, to mice by the intraperitoneal route; and the presence of a common heat‐stable component which was highly immunogenic in mice. These characters were not shared with a number of strains of staphylococci originating from Australia and England, and selected to represent the commoner types of pathogenic staphylococci encountered in human medicine and including three strains isolated from bovine mastitis.Strain 90B (Smith) and similar strains are thus not typical of the commonly occurring staphylococcus pathogenic to man. General conclusions about the pathogenesis of staphylococcal disease in man and resistance to it, drawn from studies on strains of this type, may therefore not be valid.

The Telephone in Epidemiology of Staphylococcal Disease

Experienced epidemiologists explain how to use the telephone to trace staphylococcus that enters the community from newborn nurseries.

The Telephone in Epidemiology of Staphylococcal Disease

The Telephone in Epidemiology of Staphylococcal Disease

Staphylococcal infections in hospitals. Recent developments in epidemiologic and laboratory investigation.

The Susceptible HostIt has been observed from earliest reports on staphylococcal disease that in certain groups staphylococcal infections are particularly likely not only to develop but also to have a fatal outcome.4, 136 With the use of clinical or epidemiologic observations several factors have been correlated grossly with susceptibility to staphylococcal infections: general factors, such as age, sex, race and nutritional or metabolic status; and predisposing diseases, such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, agammaglobulinemia, agranulocytosis, neoplasms, chronic lung disease, influenza and other viral infections. Other related factors are trauma, operative wounds, foreign bodies, burns, eczema and other dermatitides, urinary catheterization, intravenous . . .

Invasive staphylococcal disease.

I.S.D. of recent years seems more common than formerly, and unrecognised it can be rapidly fatal or can lead to much avoidable suffering. Early diagnosis with effective treatment is the only answer to this severe infection and much has been learned in recent years of the value of combined antibiotic approach together with certain other supportive measures, but even so in this infection we still face a gross mortality of nearly 20 per cent. and even in those who come early for treatment the mortality rate has not fallen below 10 per cent.