Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a spherical, Gram-positive bacterium that often occurs in groups. Staphylococci are non-motile and do not form spores.
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of nosocomial infections. Some strains of Staphylococcus aureus are also able to produce toxins. Possible diseases include:
Skin and soft tissue infections
Osteomyelitis (chronic inflammation of the bone and bone marrow)
Endocarditis (inflammation of the heart´s inner lining)
Pneumonia
Meningitis
Toxic shock syndrome
Sepsis
Staphylococcus aureus is widespread worldwide. 20-30% of the population is permanently colonized (primarily at the nasal vestibule). In addition, Staphylococcus aureus is also found in food and water.
Relevance of pathogen in transmission in endoscopy
Gastroenterology: Low
Pulmonology: High
Ear, nose, and throat: Not relevant
Urology: Not relevant
Relevance for endoscope surveillance
High concern organism
Transmission route
Staphylococcus aureus is mainly transmitted via skin contact (especially via skin wounds). The pathogen can also be transmitted via contaminated objects, food, dust and livestock. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is of major importance in healthcare facilities, where patients with weakened immune systems are very susceptible to infection.
Resistance to antibiotics
Staphylococcus aureus shows high rates of resistance to antibiotics. Some strains of Staphylococcus aureus exhibit multidrug-resistance:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): Strains of Staphylococcus aureus that are resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin
Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA): Strains of Staphylococcus aureus that are additionally resistant to vancomycin
Empfehlungen zur Prävention und Kontrolle von Methicillin-resistenten Staphylococcus aureus-Stämmen (MRSA) in medizinischen und pflegerischen Einrichtungen Empfehlung der Kommission für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsprävention (KRINKO) beim Robert Koch-Institut, Bundesgesundheitsbl 2014, 57:696–732.
Gries O, Ly T: Infektologie – Kompendium humanpathogener Infektionskrankheiten und Erreger, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2019.
Jung M. MRSA and Endoscopy – A Negligible Topic? Endoskopie heute 2012; 25(2): 126–129.
Methicillin-resistente Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), European Food Safety Authority https://www.efsa.europa.eu/de/topics/topic/meticillin-resistant-staphylococcus-aureus-mrsa (accessed on 06.22.2021).
MRSA in Healthcare Settings, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/healthcare/index.html (accessed on 06.23.2021).