Strains are responsible for food poisoning through the production of an enterotoxin and pathogenicity is also associated with coagulase positivity.
Staphylococcus aureus may occur as a commensal on human skin; it also occurs in the nose frequently (in about a third of the population) and throat less commonly. The occurrence of ''S. aureus'' under these circumstances does not always indicate infection and therefore does not always require treatment (indeed, treatment may be ineffective and re-colonisation may occur). It can survive on domesticated animals such as dogs, cats and horses, and can cause bumblefoot in chickens. It can survive for some hours on dry environmental surfaces, but the importance of the environment in spread of ''S. aureus'' is currently debated. It can host phages, such as the Panton-Valentine leukocidin, that increase its virulence.
''S. aureus'' can infect other tissues when barriers have been breached (e.g., skin or mucosal lining). This leads to furuncles (boils) and carbuncles (a collection of furuncles). In infants ''S. aureus'' infection can cause a severe disease Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS).
''S. aureus'' alv infections can be spread through contact with pus from an infected wound, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person by producing hyaluronidase that destroy tissues, and contact with objects such as towels, sheets, clothing, or athletic equipment used by an infected person. Deeply penetrating ''S. aureus'' infections can be severe. Prosthetic joints put a person at particular risk for septic arthritis, and staphylococcal endocarditis (infection of the heart valves) and pneumonia, which may be rapidly spread.
Photograph depicted a cutaneous abscess, which had been caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, referred to by the acronym MRSA. Photo credit: Gregory Moran, M.D.
Atopic dermatitis
''S. aureus'' is extremely prevalent in atopic dermatitis patients, who are less resistant to it than other people. It often causes complications. The disease is most likely found in fertile active places including, the armpits, hair and scalp. The large pimples that appear in those areas may cause the worst of the infection if popped. This can lead to Scalded skin syndrome. A severe form of this is Ritter's disease seen in neonates.
Toxic shock syndrome and ''S. aureus'' food poisoning
Some strains of ''S. aureus'', which produce the exotoxin TSST-1, are the causative agents of toxic shock syndrome. Some strains of ''S. aureus'' also produce an enterotoxin that is the causative agent of ''S. aureus'' gastroenteritis. The gastroenteritis is self-limiting with the person getting better in 8–24 hours. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Mastitis in cows
''S. aureus'' is one of the causal agents of mastitis in dairy cows. Its large capsule protects the organism from attack by the cow's immunological defenses. and death.
Further Reading
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