Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacterium that appears in clusters under a microscope. It is facultatively anaerobic, meaning it can grow with or without oxygen. This bacterium is catalase-positive, distinguishing it from other staphylococci. It is also coagulase-positive, a key virulence factor that differentiates it from other staphylococci species.
Staphylococcus aureus can produce a wide range of toxins and enzymes that contribute to its pathogenicity, including hemolysins, leukocidins, coagulase, hyaluronidase, and various proteases. It is known for causing a variety of infections, ranging from skin and soft tissue infections to more severe conditions such as pneumonia, endocarditis, and sepsis.
Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA), is a frequent cause of skin and soft tissue abscesses. Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus, can also cause abscesses, particularly in deeper tissues or when associated with invasive infections. Other bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and anaerobic bacteria, can also cause abscesses in different body sites. The specific bacteria causing an abscess can vary depending on the site of the infection and the patient’s underlying health conditions.
Cloxacillin is a penicillinase-resistant penicillin and is effective against Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-sensitive strains (MSSA). It is often used as a first-line antibiotic for skin and soft tissue infections, including abscesses. However, the choice of antibiotic should be based on the specific characteristics of the infection, including the severity and location of the abscess, as well as local antibiotic resistance patterns.
Read more on Staph aureus infections and treatment in the next article.
