Epidemiology of Staphylococcus Aureus

Paper Summary:

One of the more challenging problems associated with hospital stays is the nosocomial infections which are caused primarily by staphylococcus aureus. The pathogen appears to be developing specific resistances to the pharmacological weapons developed to date, and the disease continues to represent a threat for many elderly people and those who are already weakened by other physical problems. To determine the cause and potential continuing threat represented by this bacterium, this paper provides a review of the epidemiology of staphylococcus aureus to determine the development of the current body of knowledge about the disease. This is followed by a summary of the research and concludes that this threat will continue and the precautions that need to be taken to try to avoid it.

From the Paper:

"While the world has never been a sterile place, it would seem that one of the most prevalent and virulent of mankind's microscopic foes has always been Staphylococcus aureus. In fact, staphylococci are ubiquitous, and approximately 30 percent to 50 percent of healthy human beings will be carrying staphylococci at any one time (Eidson, Olson & Sewell, 1997). Staphylococcus aureus is a genus of spherical bacteria of the family Micrococcaceae; the Staphylococcus aureus is universally present in enormous numbers on the mucous membranes and skin of humans and other warm-blooded animals. The umbrella term, "staphylococcus" is popularly used for all the species of the family, and is a reference to the cells' tendency to aggregate in grapelike clusters (Staphylococcus, 2005). Staphylococci are microbiologically characterized as gram-positive (in young cultures), non-spore-forming, nonmotile, facultative anaerobes (e.g., not requiring oxygen); the cells of S. aureus average 1 mm (micrometer; 1 mm = 10-6 meter) in diameter and are usually clustered (Staphylococcus, 2005)."

More papers on Epidemiology of Staphylococcus Aureus:

• Descriptive Essay # 104318 : "Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection (MRSA)"
• Term Paper # 133793 : "MRSA from an Epidemiological Perspective"
• Research Paper # 108999 : "Epidemiology Principles"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: