The human body can serve as a home for thousands of microbes and bacteria, and such proximity does not necessarily end in disease. The immune system reliably protects us, restraining the activity of uninvited guests and forcing them to follow the rules of good manners. Staphylococcus is no exception; it is normally found in about a third of the world's population, but does not manifest itself in anything for the time being.

A weakened immune system, simple hypothermia, or the presence of another infection in the body against which antibiotics were used are the reasons why staphylococcus can go on the offensive. Therefore, it is important to understand two things: you cannot be treated with antibiotics in case of the slightest ailment or cold, and it is simply pointless to use them against staphylococcus as a preemptive measure. You still won’t get rid of the carriage, but you will introduce your staphylococcus to antibacterial drugs and negate their effectiveness in the future, when they may really be needed.

The only reasonable measure to prevent staphylococcal infections is local sanitation of the skin, mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract during the cold season, as well as taking medications that strengthen it. The prescription of antibiotics is justified only in the case of severe, life-threatening diseases: endocarditis, multiple purulent lesions on the skin and soft tissues, boils on the face and head (in close proximity to the brain). But before choosing an antibiotic against staphylococcus, a qualified doctor always performs a bacterial culture.

At a sanitary and epidemiological station, a skin and venereal disease clinic or a medical office of a specialized specialist (ENT specialist, dermatovenereologist, gynecologist, urologist, pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist), a bacterial culture is collected from the site of localization of the staphylococcal infection. This can be a swab from the throat, purulent skin abscess, vagina or urethra, as well as a sample of blood, sputum, urine, saliva, gastric juice, semen and other bodily fluids.

The resulting material is placed in a nutrient medium, after some time the colony of staphylococci multiplies, and the laboratory assistant can determine what type of pathogen it is and what antibiotics it is sensitive to.

The culture result looks like a list in which one of the letter designations appears next to the names of all current antimicrobial drugs:

S (susceptible) - sensitive;

I (intermediate) - moderately sensitive;

R (resistant) - stable.

Among the antibiotics from group “S” or, in extreme cases, “I”, the attending physician chooses a drug with which the patient has not treated any disease over the previous several years. This way there is a greater chance of success and avoiding the rapid adaptation of staphylococcus to the antibiotic. This is especially important when it comes to treating protracted and often recurrent staphylococcal infections.

Antibiotics and staphylococcus

In fact, there is only one objective reason for using antibiotics against such a stable and flexible pathogen as staphylococcus - the expected benefit will exceed the inevitable harm. Only when the infection has spread throughout the body, entered the bloodstream, caused fever, and natural defenses are not enough to defeat the disease, it is necessary to resort to antibacterial therapy.

But there are three good reasons to refuse antibiotics when treating staphylococcus:

Only second- and third-generation cephalosporins, semi-synthetic penicillins (oxacillin, methicillin), and the most powerful modern antibiotics (vancomycin, teicoplanin, fusidin, linezolid) can cope with some types of pathogens, for example, Staphylococcus aureus. It is increasingly necessary to resort to extreme measures, because over the past 5-10 years, staphylococci have mutated and acquired the enzyme beta-lactamase, with which they successfully destroy cephalosporins and methicillin. For such pathogens there is the term MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), and they have to be destroyed with combinations of drugs, for example, fusidine with biseptol. And if the patient used antibiotics uncontrollably before the onset of an extensive staphylococcal infection, the pathogen may be insensitive;

No matter how effective an antibiotic is, in practice the effect of its use against staphylococcus is almost always temporary. For example, after successfully stopping the infection in 60% of patients, the disease recurs, and it is no longer possible to cope with it using the same drug, since the pathogen has adapted. Obviously, such a price is worth paying only to “get out of the dive,” when it is simply impossible to stabilize the condition of a patient with a staphylococcal infection without an antibiotic;

Antibiotics do not choose victims - in addition to the bacteria against which you use them, they also destroy other microorganisms, including beneficial ones. Long-term treatment with antibacterial drugs almost always provokes infections in the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system, and also aggravates the risk of activating other infections present in the body in the form of carriers.

Is it possible to completely get rid of staphylococcus?

Let's say right away - no, you can't. Only in very rare cases, when staphylococcus has entered a small area of ​​the skin, and the person’s immunity has been activated for some reason, macrophages manage to cope with the uninvited guest, and then they speak of “transient carriage of staphylococcus.” If such a situation is discovered, it is by pure chance. More often, the pathogen manages to gain a foothold in a new place, especially if the contact was extensive (swimming in an infected body of water, using infected clothing, bed linen, towels). Staphylococcus acquired in a hospital, kindergarten, school or summer camp usually settles in the body for life.

Why does the immune system of a healthy child or adult not get rid of this dangerous bacterium? Because there are no objective reasons for this until carriage turns into disease. Staphylococcus sitting modestly in a corner does not arouse any interest in the immune system, leukocytes and macrophages do not hunt it, and the necessary antibodies are not produced in the blood. But what to do if, for example, a child suffers from staphylococcal sore throat every fall and winter, or a girl who knows about the presence of a harmful bacterium in her body is planning a pregnancy?

In these cases, it is necessary to resort to immunostimulating therapy and sanitation of accessible problem areas: pharynx, nasopharynx, skin, vagina. Such measures will not allow you to get rid of staphylococcus forever, but will significantly reduce the number of its colonies and reduce the risk of carriage becoming a dangerous disease.

How is staphylococcus treated?

Preventive sanitation is a very effective measure that is recommended for all carriers of staphylococcus to take regularly. Employees of children's educational and medical institutions take nasal swabs twice a year, and if the result is positive, sanitation is carried out, and then the analysis is taken again, trying to achieve the complete absence of staphylococcus in the upper respiratory tract. This is very important, because this is the only way to protect against the spread of the pathogen by airborne droplets.

If you or your child annually experience relapses of furunculosis and other purulent-inflammatory diseases, the cause of which (according to test results, and not based on your guesses) is staphylococcus, it is worth replenishing your home medicine cabinet with means for local sanitation. With the help of these drugs, gargling, nasal instillation, placing cotton swabs in the nasal passages, irrigation or douching of the genital tract, wiping and lubricating the skin or mucous membranes, depending on the location of the carrier, are performed. For each case, you need to select the appropriate version of the drug and strictly adhere to the instructions.

Here is a list of all effective solutions and ointments against staphylococcus:

Oil solution of retinol acetate (vitamin A);

Sodium hypochlorite electrolysis solution;

Furacilin solution;

Bactroban ointment;

Hexachlorophene ointment;

Chlorophyllipt;

• Boric acid;

  Lugol's or iodine solution;

  Potassium permanganate;

  Methylene blue;

  Octenisept;

  Fukortsin (Castellani liquid).

12 best drugs for the treatment of staphylococcus

We have prepared for you a hit parade of the twelve most effective and safe means with which modern specialists treat staphylococcus. But let this information not serve as a reason for self-medication, because only a qualified doctor, after a thorough diagnosis, can prescribe a drug that is right for you and will not cause unwanted side effects. It is especially important to show a child suffering from a staphylococcal infection to a good doctor and take the time to take the necessary tests.

The group of lysates includes preparations that are a fragmented multibacterial culture. Once in the body, particles of bacteria (including staphylococcus) cannot cause a full-scale infection, since their cellular structure is disrupted. But they can provoke an immune response and the production of antibodies. Lysates have many advantages - safety, lack of addiction, contraindications and side effects, the ability to take them as needed, rather than follow a fixed course of treatment. There is only one drawback - high cost. The most popular lysates for the treatment of staphylococcus: imudon, respibron, bronchomunal, IRS-19 spray.

Staphylococcal toxoid

This drug is a toxin (poisonous waste product) of laboratory-grown staphylococci. The toxin is purified and neutralized, and then placed in 1 ml ampoules and packaged in boxes of 10 ampoules. This volume of staphylococcal toxoid is sufficient for one course of treatment, the result of which will be the formation of stable immunity in an adult. Toxoid is contraindicated for children.

The drug is administered in a hospital for ten days, alternately under the right and left shoulder blades. The nurse carefully monitors the patient's condition during the first 30 minutes after the injection. Allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, are possible. During the entire course of treatment, low-grade body temperature, redness and swelling of the skin at the site of toxoid administration may be observed.

Staphylococcal antiphagin (vaccine)

Unlike toxoid, the vaccine is a complex of ready-made heat-resistant antigens to all possible types of staphylococcus. It is also sold in ampoules of 1 ml and cartons of 10 ampoules. Vaccination against staphylococcus is permitted from the age of six months, however, exceptions are allowed, the main thing is that the baby’s body weight is at least 2.5 kg. Staphylococcal antifagin causes the formation of specific immunity, which may be lost over time, so annual revaccination is recommended. In Russia, all these measures are not included in the list of mandatory vaccinations, but at the request of the parents, the child can be vaccinated against staphylococcus.

CIP (Complex immunoglobulin preparation)

This medicine for the treatment of staphylococcus and other bacterial infections is made from donated blood by drying. KIP is a protein powder containing three types of antibodies (IgA (15-25%), IgM (15-25%), IgG (50-70%) and packaged in glass ampoules with a capacity of 5 ml. It is this drug that best copes with staphylococcus, because it contains the largest number of antibodies of the IgA and IgM classes, compared to other immunoglobulin drugs.

Antibodies of the IgM class effectively destroy staphylococci, Shigella, Salmonella, Escherichia and other pathogens of intestinal infections, antibodies of the IgA class prevent the proliferation and adhesion of bacteria to the cells of the body, and antibodies of the IgG class neutralize toxins and contribute to the destruction of staphylococcus by macrophages - the fighters of our immunity. Thus, CIP has several advantages: versatility, complex action, convenient oral administration and the absence of contraindications.

Human anti-staphylococcal immunoglobulin

This is also a protein powder extracted from donor blood, but it differs from KIP in its narrow specialization: it contains antibodies only to staphylococcus alpha-exotoxin. By taking such a drug, a patient with a staphylococcal infection receives temporary help from a donor. As soon as the immunoglobulin is stopped, the effect will end, because such treatment does not force the body to produce its own antibodies to staphylococcus, but only compensates for their absence. Intravenous administration of donor antistaphylococcal immunoglobulin temporarily saves in severe diseases, for example, sepsis, endocarditis or pneumonia due to the background.

Aloe vera

Preparations based on aloe extract (capsules, gels, injection solutions, ointments, syrups) have proven themselves not only in the treatment of staphylococcus. The high biological activity of aloe vera allows you to strengthen the immune system, cope with infections of any location and quickly alleviate the patient’s condition. For example, subcutaneous administration of aloe solution for staphylococcal furunculosis in a few days reduces swelling, neutralizes pain and stops the acute inflammatory process.

But, like any powerful natural stimulant, aloe vera has contraindications. It is not recommended for pregnant women, as well as women with heavy menstruation, endometriosis and polycystic disease, since aloe increases blood circulation and can provoke internal bleeding. It also increases the activity of the endocrine glands, which is very dangerous for ulcerative and. In short, a comprehensive assessment of the condition of the body of a patient with staphylococcal infection is necessary before deciding on treatment with aloe vera.

Chlorophyllipt

Another medicinal plant that can cope with staphylococcus is. An alcohol solution (from 0.25 to 1% concentration) for internal and local use, as well as an oil solution (2% concentration) for intravaginal use for staphylococcal infections are prepared from the juice of eucalyptus leaves.

A weak alcohol solution of chlorophyllipt is added to water and drunk for intestinal infections, as well as instilled and put into the nose, gargled with a sore throat, given enemas - that is, used to sanitize the mucous membranes. A more concentrated preparation is suitable for treating skin affected by abscesses, ulcers, boils and fistulas. In rare cases (with peritonitis, pleural empyema, pulmonary), chlorophyllipt is administered intravenously or directly into the body cavity.

Before the first use, they always test for an allergic reaction: the patient drinks half a glass of water with 25 drops of chlorophyllipt dissolved, and if no negative effects are observed within 24 hours, staphylococcus can be treated with this drug. Chlorophyllipt is prescribed only to adults and children over twelve years of age.

Mupirocin

This is the international non-proprietary name of the antibiotic, which is the active ingredient in several medicinal ointments: Bonderma, Supirocin, Bactroban. Mupirocin has a very wide range of uses; it is active against staphylococci, gonococci, pneumococci and streptococci, including aureus and methicillin-resistant.

Mupirocin-based ointments are used for local treatment of skin and nasal staphylococcal infections. Two types of ointments are available with different antibiotic concentrations, separately for the skin and separately for the mucous membrane. Theoretically, you can lubricate ulcers, ulcers and boils with any type of ointment, but you only need to put a drug specially designed for this in your nose. Ointments with mupirocin can be used from the age of six; they very rarely cause side effects and allergic reactions, while doing an excellent job of local treatment of staphylococcus.

Baneocin

This is also an ointment for external use, the active component of which is a tandem of two antibiotics: neomycin and bacitracin. Both antibacterial agents are active against staphylococci, but together they work better, cover a larger number of strains, and addiction to them develops more slowly.

Baneocin is almost not absorbed into the blood when applied topically, but it creates a very high concentration of antibiotics in the skin, so it copes well with abscesses, ulcers and boils caused by staphylococcus. However, like all antibiotics of the aminoglycoside group, bacitracin and neomycin are dangerous due to their side effects: suppression of hearing and vision, difficulty with kidney function, and disruption of the circulation of nerve impulses in the muscles. Therefore, the use of baneocin is recommended only for the treatment of staphylococcal infections that affect no more than one percent of the skin surface (about the size of the palm).

Baneocin ointment is available without a prescription and is suitable for children, but is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women due to the risk of antibiotics passing into the blood and breast milk.

Fuzidin, fusidic (fusidic) acid, sodium fusidate - all these are names of one antibiotic, perhaps the most effective against most strains of staphylococcus. Based on this drug, ointments with a two percent concentration (fucidin, fusiderm) are produced, which are intended for the local treatment of staphylococcus. These ointments should not be applied to the mucous membranes, and even on the skin they can cause irritation and redness, but usually after a week of regular use, the staphylococcal infection is localized and the inflammations heal completely.

Fusiderm cream is one of the best remedies for facial acne caused by staphylococcus. If red weeping acne does not go away for a long time, you should definitely take a scraping for analysis, and if the doctor detects strains of staphylococcus, Fusiderm will be the optimal choice for treatment, which usually lasts 14 days, and in 93% of cases ends in success.

Fusidine-based ointments can be used not only by adults, but also by children over one month old, since this antibiotic does not cause dangerous side effects and almost does not penetrate into the blood when applied topically. However, it is usually not recommended for expectant and nursing mothers, since the effect of fusidine on a child upon penetration into the circulatory system has not yet been sufficiently studied.

Galavit

Strictly speaking, the drug Galavit is not indicated for the treatment of staphylococcus, but its use in practice allows us to hope for success in the fight against resistant strains. Galavit is a relatively new immunomodulator and a rare guest on the shelves of our pharmacies. Western European clinical studies have proven that it has two effects at once: immunostimulating and bactericidal, and this in itself is a big breakthrough.

The immunomodulatory effect of galavit is due to its ability to slow down overly active macrophages so that they can longer exert their destructive effect on pathogens, including staphylococcus. In other words, this drug allows our body to use its defenses more rationally and fully.

Galavit is available in the form of lingual tablets, injection solution and rectal suppositories, so it is convenient to use for the treatment of staphylococcal infections of any localization. The drug is approved for use by adults and children over six years of age, but is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women, again, simply due to insufficient research.

Staphylococcal infection and hormones

In conclusion, it would be reasonable to say a few words about the treatment of staphylococcus with hormonal drugs. Glucocorticoids, that is, synthetic derivatives of human corticosteroid hormones, quickly stop inflammation of any etiology. They disrupt the entire chain of natural reactions (a pathogen appeared - the body reacted - hormones were produced - the inflammatory process began - leukocytes multiplied - a purulent abscess appeared - pain appeared, etc.). Drugs from the glucocorticoid group (prednisolone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone and others) forcibly interrupt this scenario at the very beginning. But they do not destroy the cause of inflammation, but simply force the body not to react to the pathogen.

So what are the dangers of using hormonal ointments for local treatment of staphylococcus? Because after quickly suppressing the inflammatory process and relieving pain, real thunder will strike: hormones have suppressed the natural immune response, there are no antibodies to the pathogen, and now the body faces the infection completely unarmed. Conclusion: treatment of staphylococcus with hormonal ointments is advisable only if it is a combination drug that also contains an antibiotic. And taking glucocorticoids orally with extensive staphylococcal damage to the body, as with any other blood infection, is strictly prohibited.

About the doctor: From 2010 to 2016 practicing physician at the therapeutic hospital of the central medical unit No. 21, the city of Elektrostal. Since 2016 he has been working at diagnostic center No. 3.