Staphylococcus epidermidis, or S. epidermidis, is a gram-positive bacterium naturally present in the skin, which does not damage the body. This microorganism is considered opportunistic because it is able to cause disease when the immune system is weakened, for example.
Because it is naturally present in the body, Staphylococcus epidermidis is not widely considered in clinical practice, as most of the time it is isolated in the laboratory, this means contamination of the sample. However, this microorganism is able to grow easily in medical devices, in addition to being reported as resistant to several antibiotics, making it difficult to treat the infection.
- The main type of S.
- Epidermidis infection is sepsis.
- Which is an infection in the blood.
- Because it can easily enter the body.
- Especially when the immune system is compromised.
- In addition to being associated with endocarditis.
- Thus.
- S.
- Epidermidis infection can be identified by analyzing the symptoms.
- The main being the main ones:.
S. epidermidis is normally associated with hospital infections due to its ability to colonize intravascular devices, large wounds and prosthetics, for example, successfully proliferating and resisting treatment.
In the laboratory, the identification of this bacteria is done by testing, the main being the coagulase test, which differentiates S. epidermidis from Staphylococcus aureus. S. epidermidis does not possess this enzyme and is therefore said to be coagulasa negative, and is considered the most clinically important negative staph, as it is associated with sample contamination, opportunistic infections and colonization of medical devices.
To differentiate it from other staph species with negative coagulasa, the novobiocin test is usually performed in order to check the resistance or sensitivity to this antibiotic. S. epidermidis is normally sensitive to this antibiotic and treatment is usually indicated by the doctor. However, there are strains of S. epidermidis that already have a mechanism of resistance to this antibiotic, which makes treatment difficult.
Often, the presence of S. epidermidis in the blood does not necessarily mean infection, because when it is on the skin, during the blood collection process, bacteria can enter circulation, considered a contamination of the sample in many cases. Therefore, the diagnosis of infection with S. epidermidis is made from the analysis of two or more blood cultures, which are usually collected in different locations to avoid false results.
Thus, the diagnosis of S. epidermidis infection is confirmed when all blood cultures are positive for this microorganism. When only one of the blood cultures is positive for S. epidermidis and the other positive for another microorganism, contamination is considered.
Contamination of the sample by S. epidermidis is often misinterpreted by laboratories and is indicated as an infection in the test result, leading the doctor to indicate the use of antibiotics against the “infection”. Improper use of antibiotics can promote the formation of resistant bacteria, making treatment difficult.
Currently, S. epidermidis infection has been common in hospitalized patients and, as a result, has gained clinical significance not only from the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, but also for its ability to form a biofilm in medical teams, which promotes proliferation. of this disease. bacteria and resistance to treatments.
Treatment of Staphylococcus epidermidis infection is usually done with the use of antibiotics, however, the antimicrobial of choice varies depending on the characteristics of the bacteria, as many have resistance mechanisms. Therefore, your doctor may recommend the use of vancomycin and rifampicin, for example.
In addition, treatment of S. epidermidis is not indicated until infection is confirmed. If the sample is suspected to be contaminated, new samples are taken to check for contamination or infection.
If catheters or prostheses are colonized by S. epidermidis, it is generally recommended to change the medical device. Currently, some hospitals are adopting the use of antiseptic equipment that prevents the formation of biofilms and the development of Staphylococcus epidermidis, thus preventing infection.