PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 9597249

Staphylococcus aureus: a well-armed pathogen.

G L Archer
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a virulent pathogen that is currently the most common cause of infections in hospitalized patients. S. aureus infection can involve any organ system. The success of S. aureus as a pathogen and its ability to cause such a wide range of infections are the result of its extensive virulence factors. The increase in the resistance of this virulent pathogen to antibacterial agents, coupled with its increasing prevalence as a nosocomial pathogen, is of major concern. The core resistance phenotype that seems to be most associated with the persistence of S. aureus in the hospital is methicillin resistance. Methicillin resistance in nosocomial S. aureus isolates has been increasing dramatically in United States hospitals and is also associated with resistance to other useful antistaphylococcal compounds. Possible ways to decrease the incidence of nosocomial S. aureus infections include instituting more effective infection control, decreasing nasal colonization, developing vaccines, and developing new or improved antimicrobials.

Explore related subjects

Cross InfectionDrug Resistance, MicrobialHospitalsHumansInfection ControlMethicillin ResistanceStaphylococcal InfectionsStaphylococcal VaccinesStaphylococcus aureusJournal ArticleResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.Review

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

G L Archer. 1998. Staphylococcus aureus: a well-armed pathogen.. https://doi.org/10.1086/520289

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2001

Vaccination against hepatitis viruses in Poland.

At present, two etiologic varieties of viral hepatitis (VH) can be directly vaccine-preventable: VH type A and VH type B. In addition, VH type D can be prevented indirectly through vaccination against VH-B. The first commercially available vaccine against VH-B appeared in 1981 and was human plasma-derived. After several years, it has generally been replaced by a recombinant type of vaccines. The obvious benefits of vaccination against VH-B prompted its introduction into the national immunization program in Poland in 1989. At that time, vaccination was offered free of charge to high-risk groups: newborns of HBsAg-carrier mothers, health-care workers, students: at medical schools, nursing schools, medical technology schools, and caretakers at institutions for mentally retarded persons. However, similarly to the experiences of other countries, observations in Poland indicated that such a targeted strategy fails to induce major epidemiological changes. In 1989 and in 1993, the incidence of VH-B per 100000 was 40.3 and 34.6, respectively. In addition, during these years, the incidence of V-B per 100000 children aged 0-4 years was 20.0 and 38.4, respectively. It has been decided that vaccination against VH-B will be obligatory for all newborns beginning from 1993. Due to financial constraints, it has been introduced in three phases, and since 1996, all newborns in Poland have been vaccinated. Already in 1993, three additional risk groups have been offered vaccination: patients with chronic diseases, patients awaiting planned surgery, and persons coming into close contact with acute VH-B or chronically HBV-infected individuals. In 1999, the incidence of VH-B per 100000 was 9.1/100000, and it may be assumed that vaccination helped to decrease the incidence of VH-B in Poland. The country experience with vaccination against VH-A is still limited. At present, it is recommended for children and adolescents and people dealing with food distribution, as well as for several other groups of people, such as travellers or long-term visitors (soldiers, missionaries, diplomats) to the endemic regions of the world. It has also been recommended in connection with natural disasters such as floods occurring in a large area of Poland in 1997.

Cross Infection↗