Picture 3

This picture shows pus cells and Staphylococcus aureus from a carbuncle. Gram stain was used.

Staphylococcus aureus

Morphology: colonies golden yellow in colour, Gram positive cocci arranged in 'grapelike' clusters, beta-hemolytic, coagulase positive, catalase positive

Route of transmission: fomites

Investigations: Gram stain and culture

Diseases:

Superficial skin infections, eg. folliculitis, furuncle

Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome especially in infants and children

Septicemia and endocarditis

Pneumonia

Treatment: Vancomycin (for MRSA), Cloxacillin and Flucloxacillin (for non-methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

 

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